UFC Fight Night Chicago: Holly Holm hopes to get career back on track against Valentina Shevchenko

This weekend, Holly Holm returns to action as she takes on Valentina Shevchenko. Here, UFC welterweight and commentator, Dan Hardy, considers what fans can expect as the two strikers meet at UFC Fight Night Chicago

Holm, pictured during her victory over Rousey in November 2015 (Getty)

The former bantamweight champion will return to action this weekend and attempt to begin her journey back to the title. After shocking the world by knocking out previously undefeated Ronda Rousey, Holly ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ Holm was in good form to hold and defend her title for a long time. At that time, it seemed as though Ronda had already cleared out the division pretty easily. By beating Rousey in such an impressive manner, you would think that Holm is head and shoulders above the rest of the division.

In her first defence she took on, Rousey’s nemesis, Miesha Tate, and was well on her way to victory when Tate jumped on her back in a scramble and finished with a choke, ninety seconds before the final bell. Now, for the first time in her mixed martial arts career, Holm is coming off a loss, and looking to regroup and recover what she believes is hers.

The woman standing in her way this time has the same ambitions. Valentina ‘The Bullet’ Shevchenko is a formidable opponent. Qualified and decorated in a multitude of different combat arts, Shevchenko has the credentials to compete with Holm’s strengths and challenge her weaknesses. A ‘Master of Sports’ in taekwondo, boxing, Muay Thai, judo and kickboxing in her native Russia, Shevchenko is a life-long martial artist. With a combined kickboxing record of 56-2, she is supremely confident in her striking skills. Never before though, has she needed them to be as sharp as she will in this fight.

You would be hard-pressed to find another woman in MMA who can compete with Holly Holm’s boxing skills. Holm’s professional record when she retired was 33-2 with eighteen title defences. Having spent many years training under Mike Winkeljohn in Albuquerque, New Mexico, she also has access to Greg Jackson, and all of the other excellent MMA coaches and training partners at the Jackson/Wink academy. There is no doubt that she is a well-rounded fighter, and always one head kick away from beating any woman in the world.

A loss here to Shevchenko would not only be a huge detriment to Holm’s campaign for the title, but it would also allow another contender into the mix. At present we have the former Queen of all MMA, Ronda Rousey, somewhat removed from the sport since her loss to Holm. Miesha Tate, meanwhile, was unsuccessful in her title shot against Rousey, but was able to beat Holm. Tate then lost the title to Amanda Nunes in the main event of UFC 200. Nunes, now champion, is the only loss Shevchenko has had in the Octagon.

If Shevchenko beats Holm it opens up the top five in the women’s bantamweight division and creates a lot of exciting potential match-ups. If Holm walks away with the victory, however, she could make an argument for an immediate title shot or for that rematch with Tate, for which she is so desperate for.

Holm was defeat by Tate at UFC 196 in March (Getty)

The rate of evolution in women’s MMA is astounding, and these two athletes are the epitome of world class professionals - Holm, possibly the most decorated female boxer ever, and Shevchenko, one of the best Muay Thai fighters ever to step into the Octagon.

This weekend’s event will also feature some important contender match-ups. The co-main event is a very competitive fight between former Strikeforce champion, Gilbert Melendez, and one of the most vicious strikers in the lightweight division in Edson Barboza. Melendez has a scrappy, brawling style, taking the fight to his opponent and staying in their face throughout. Barboza on the other hand, likes space to work. His kicking game is the reason for a number of highlight reel finishes, and bonus checks.

Another night of great martial arts to look forward to. I am interested to see who emerges the winner and stays relevant in the immediate title fight conversations, and I’m sure Amanda Nunes will be sat with her belt paying close attention as well.

Watch UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Shevchenko live on BT Sport from 11pm BST on Saturday, or catch the Early Prelims from 9pm BST on UFC Fight Pass