UFC is taking over Las Vegas for Mexican Independence Day, and the top of the card is filling out with big fights.
Former middleweight title challenger [autotag]Kelvin Gastelum[/autotag] is returning to welterweight, where he will take on the undefeated [autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag]. The bout will serve as the co-main event of a UFC Fight Night event taking place on Sept. 16 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The non-pay-per-view event will stream live on ESPN+.
UFC president Dana White officially announced the news on social media Wednesday. Headlining the event is a women’s flyweight title rematch between champion Alexa Grasso and former champ Valentina Shevchenko.
Rakhmonov (17-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) will step into the cage for the second time this year. At UFC 285, he submitted Geoff Neal in an incredible Fight of the Night battle. The 28-year-old has finished all five of his UFC opponents, submitting Alex Oliviera, Michel Prazeres, and Neil Magny, while recording a TKO against Carlston Harris.
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Gastelum (18-8 MMA, 12-8 UFC) last competed at welterweight in 2016, where he picked up a unanimous decision over former champion Johnny Hendricks at UFC 200. He will also compete for the second time in 2023. In his first appearance of the year, he picked up a unanimous decision win over Chris Curtis at UFC 287. The victory snapped a two-fight skid against fellow former title challenger Jared Cannonier and former champion Robert Whittaker.
The current UFC Fight Night lineup for Sept. 16 includes:
- Champion Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko – for women’s flyweight title
- Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Kelvin Gastelum
- Chris Curtis vs. Anthony Hernandez
- Lupita Godinez vs. Sam Hughes