Valentina Shevchenko returns this summer.
The UFC women’s flyweight champion is being targeted to defend her belt against Taila Santos at UFC 275 on June 11. The promotion has yet to announce a location for the event, but it is expected to take place in Singapore.
MMA Junkie confirmed the news following a report by MMA Fighting.
The bout against Santos marks Shevchenko’s seventh title defense. The 33-year-old won the vacant belt back in 2018 and has held it since, dispatching her opponents in dominant fashion. Shevchenko (22-3 MMA, 11-2 UFC) last fought in September at UFC 266 where she stopped Lauren Murphy via fourth-round TKO. Shevchenko’s only two UFC losses have come at 135 pounds to UFC featherweight champion Amanda Nunes.
Meanwhile, Santos (18-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) is riding an impressive four-fight winning streak. The Dana White’s Contender Series Brazil alumnus submitted Joanne Wood in her last outing putting her away in the first round of their contest at UFC Fight Night 198. Santos has only one professional loss on her record, which came in a split decision against Mara Romero Borella back in 2019.
