Shevchenko beats Holm at UFC Chicago

Valentina Shevchenko stunned Holly Holm on Saturday night at UFC Chicago, unanimously outpointing the former UFC champion.

Fighting for the first time since losing the belt to Miesha Tate at UFC 196, Holm lost on the judges’ score card 49-46.

Her knockout of then-champ Ronda Rousey in Australia at UFC 193 catapulted Holm (10-2) into the spotlight of mixed martial arts, but she has followed with backto-back losses.

Shevchenko (13-2) put herself in the mix for the women’s bantamweight title (135 pounds) that is held by Amanda Nunes, to whom she lost in March at UFC 196.

Holm knocked Shevchenko to the mat with a quick hook early in the first round and Shevchenko quickly got back to her feet. Shevchenko had a takedown late in the round.

In the third round, after Shevchenko got in a few jabs, Shevchenko caught Holm’s leg on a kick attempt and took her down. Shevchenko had another takedown and kept Holm (10-2) on the mat for the rest of the round.

In the co-main event, Edson Barboza won in a unanimous decision over Gilbert Melendez in a lightweight fight.