Valentina Shevchenko and Katlyn Chookagian are set to collide this February, at an event widely expected to take place in Houston, TX.
A women’s flyweight title fight is joining the UFC’s February 8, 2020 card, widely expected to take place in Houston. First reported by ESPN, 125lb champ Valentina Shevchenko is set to face top contender Katlyn Chookagian at the event. The UFC has yet to formally announce the news, or the event’s official title or location.
That seems to hinge on negotiations for the return of Conor McGregor on January 18. A event has been penciled in for the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, which would be UFC 246 should the McGregor fight come together. Which in turn would make the Houston date on February 8, 2020 UFC 247. However, should talks with the Irish star fall through, February’s date could end up being UFC 246 instead.
Regardless of how all that plays out, Valentina Shevchenko will defend her flyweight title this February. Shevchenko (18–3) is undefeated since returning to the 125lb division last year. That 4-0 stretch included winning the vacant flyweight championship after Nicco Montano was stripped of the belt. Defeating Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Shevchenko then defended the title twice, opposite Jessica Eye and Liz Carmouche.
‘Bullet’ avenged a prior loss to Carmouche outside the UFC with her latest win, at UFC Uruguay in August. The only other fighter to hold a win over the champion is bantamweight and featherweight champ Amanda Nunes, who twice beat Shevchenko at 135lbs.
Chookagian (13–2) is 4-1 in the UFC’s women’s flyweight division, and has won two straight, against Joanne Calderwood and former Invicta FC champ Jennifer Maia.
