HOLLY HOLM’S JOURNEY back to title contention is expected to begin on 23 July, according to a report on last night’s episode of ‘UFC Tonight’ on FOX Sports.

The bout hasn’t been officially confirmed but a meeting of Holm and Valentina Shevchenko is being lined up as the main event for UFC on FOX 20, which will take place in Chicago.

Shevchenko is a surprising choice of opponent for Holm, who recently expressed her disappointment at not being granted an immediate rematch with Miesha Tate.

Holm, who knocked out Ronda Rousey last November to become the UFC women’s bantamweight champion, was dethroned by Tate via fifth-round submission in March.

A fortnight after Tate defends the belt against Amanda Nunes at UFC 200, Holm looks set to face Shevchenko, who’s ranked ninth in the UFC’s 135lbs women’s division.

Shevchenko, a 28-year-old kickboxer from Kyrgyzstan, has a 1-1 record in the UFC. After edging out Sarah Kaufman by split decision in her December debut, she was beaten by Nunes over the distance on the same night as Holm’s defeat to Tate.

Also in the works for the 23 July bill in Chicago is a light-heavyweight bout between Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson and Glover Teixeira. A lightweight contest between Edson Barboza and Gilbert Melendez has already been confirmed.

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