The main event for the UFC’s July 23 Chicago card will feature Holly Holm (10-1) and Valentina Shevchenko (12-2).
Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holm returns to the Octagon for the first time after losing the title. Holm is attempting to recapture the belt she lost on March 5 to current champion Miesha Tate.
Squaring off against Holm is No. 9 bantamweight Shevchenko. Shevchenko, 28, is a nine-time International Muay Thay Federation world champion. A win against Holm could put Shevchenko only a fight or two from the title.
A co-main event was recently announced, featuring Anthony “Rumble” Johnson (21-5), the second-ranked fighter in the division, and No. 3 Glover Teixeira (25-4).
Two other fights will also be a part of the United Center event. Gilbert Melendez (22-5) and Edson Barbozas (17-4) will fighting in the lightweight division. Portage, Ind. native Darren Elkins (20-5) will square off with Godefredo Pepey (13-3) in a featherweight matchup, as well.
The UFC previously announced seven other fights for the July 23 card:
Suburban Chicago native Felice Herrig vs. Kailin Curran (strawweight)
Eddie Wineland vs. Frankie Saenz (bantamweight)
Tony Martin vs. Michel Prazeres (lightweight)
Ryan LaFlare vs. Alexander Yakovlev (welterweight)
Hector Urbina vs. George Sullivan (welterweight)
Alex Oliveira vs. James Moontasri (welterweight)
Luis Henrique vs. Dmitry Smolyakov (heavyweight)
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Chris Sosa contributed prior reporting.