The main fight of UFC on FOX 20, this Saturday (23), in Chicago (USA), could point to the next challenger in the busy women's bantamweight division of the largest MMA organization on the planet. The former champion Holly holm will measure forces with the dangerous Valentina Shevchenko with an eye on regaining the title he lost in March this year.
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Not long ago, no one would have imagined that the UFC women's bantamweight division would be as open and unpredictable as it is in July 2016. Last year, Ronda Rousey she easily dominated the category, including overwhelming victories in just a few seconds over several challengers. However, now the situation is different.
In November 2015, Holm was responsible for impressively dethroning Ronda, with a beautiful knockout. However, she fell in her first title defense, to Miesha Tate, in March. The belt changed hands once again after that (Amanda nunes beat Miesha at UFC 200), which opens up the possibility of Holm returning to fight at the top if he defeats Shevchenko.
The duel will pit two specialists in stand-up fighting face to face. Holm is a former world boxing champion, while Valentina has several world titles in Muay Thai. In this case, the ground can serve as a differentiator, which, in theory, makes the fight more unpredictable. Holm is more experienced, although she struggled with Miesha on the ground in her most recent fight. Valentina played a fair game in her Octagon debut, against Sarah Kaufman.
The main fight of UFC on FOX 20 will be of great importance for the development of the women's bantamweight division. However, more than a crucial fight in the title race, fans can expect a lot of action in the Octagon.
Event will feature five Brazilians
E. Barboza (photo) catches Melendez in Chicago. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
A Brazilian legion will be present in the Octagon in Chicago. The biggest highlight is Edson Barboza, who will have the second most important fight of the night against Gilbert Melendez.
The Brazilian athlete is excited about the victory over the former champion Anthony Pettis. If he defeats the dangerous Melendez, the natural next step would be to seek the belt. This is not the case with Barboza: a close friend of champion Eddie Alvarez, the Brazilian wants to beat his rival and establish himself as the luxury “squire” of the new title holder.
Another one trying to continue the good moment is Geoffrey Pepey. Runner-up in TUF Brasil 1, the Ceará native comes from three impressive victories, with a knockout and two submissions. In front of Darren Elkins, Pepey seeks to take another important step in his career in the UFC.
Also in the octagon will be heavyweight Luis Henrique “KLB”, who faces Dmitry Smoliakov; Alex Cowboy, who takes on James Moontasri, and Michel Trator, who faces JC Cottrell.
Check out the UFC on FOX 20 technical sheet below:
DATE AND TIME: 23/07/2016, from 17pm (Brasília time)
PLACE: United Center, Chicago, United States
STREAMING: Combat Channel
MAIN CARD
Roosters: Holly holm x Valentina Shevchenko
Mild: Edson Barboza x Gilbert Melendez
Heavy: Francis Ngannou x Bojan Mihajlovic
Straws: Felice herrig x Kailin Curran
PRELIMINARY CARD
Roosters: Frankie Saenz x Eddie Wineland
Feathers: Darren Elkins x Geoffrey Pepey
Welterweights: Kamaru Usman x Alexander Yakovlev
Mild: Michel Trator x JC Cottrell
Welterweights: Alex Cowboy x James Moontasri
Feathers: Jim Alers x Jason Knight
Heavy: Luis Henrique KLB x Dmitry Smoliakov
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