Former women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm shockingly dropped a decision to Valentina Shevchenko on Saturday night, as all three judges scored their five-round UFC Fight Night Chicago bout 49-46.
Holm, fighting for the first time since Miesha Tate took away her belt in March, started fast against Shevchenko, controlling the first round at United Center.
Shevchenko rebounded toward the end of the second, though, and controlled the middle rounds to earn the decision over Holm, the second-ranked contender in the division.
“I knew she was a counterpuncher — we were ready for that. She’s a tough girl — I knew that,” Holm said, via UFC.com. “I knew I had my hands full with this fight. I knew it was a really big challenge.
“What can you do? I knew it was a competitive fight. I could have done more, I’m disappointed in myself, and I take nothing away from her. She was very tough.”
Holm, who won the championship last November by knocking out Ronda Rousey, fell to 3-2 in the UFC and 10-2 overall. Shevchenko, the No. 7-ranked contender, now is 2-1 in the UFC and 13-2 overall.
Shevchenko’s lone UFC loss came to Amanda Nunes, who won the title earlier this month at UFC 200 by beating Tate. Now Shevchenko wants a rematch, with the belt on the line.
Shevchenko might have to wait for her chance, though. UFC president Dana White has said Rousey, who hasn’t fought since her loss to Holm, will have the first shot at the belt. However, a date for Rousey’s return hasn’t been confirmed.
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