UFC on FOX 20 goes down this Saturday July 23 from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Of course it’s weigh-ins day here at LowKickMMA, and the goods on offer indicate the FOX card could be one of the biggest sleepers of the year. Headlining the action is former women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm, looking
UFC on FOX 20 goes down this Saturday July 23 from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Of course it’s weigh-ins day here at LowKickMMA, and the goods on offer indicate the FOX card could be one of the biggest sleepers of the year. Headlining the action is former women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm, looking to get back on track after a submission loss to Miesha Tate at UFC 196.
Facing ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ is an up and coming force in the division. Valentina Schevchenko headlines her first UFC card and will also come up against a seriously dangerous striker in Holm. How about the lightweight co-main event between Edson Barboza and the returning Gilbert Melendez? The two exciting strikers will pit technique against sheer will and grit in what could easily be fight of the night.
Heavyweights Francis Ngannou and Bojan Mihajlovic will do battle, and women’s strawweights Felice Herrig and Kailin Curran will no doubt put on a great show.
So join us for the live streaming official weigh-ins at 5PM ET, or check in a few hours prior (the early weigh-ins will have the updated results) or right after to catch the replay!
Event: UFC on FOX 20 “Holm vs. Shevchenko” Date: Sat., July 23, 2016, on FOX Location: United Center in Chicago, Illinois
Main card (FOX at 8 p.m. ET) Holly Holm (135) vs. Valentina Shevchenko (133) Edson Barboza (155) vs. Gilbert Melendez (155) Francis Ngannou (259) vs. Bojan Mihajlovic (228) Felice Herrig (115) vs. Kailin Curran (116) Undercard (FOX at 6 p.m. ET) Frankie Saenz (135) vs. Eddie Wineland (135) Darren Elkins (145) vs. Godofredo Pepey (145) Kamaru Usman (170) vs. Alexander Yakovlev (170) Michel Prazeres (155) vs. J.C. Cottrell (155) Undercard (UFC Fight Pass at 4:30 p.m. ET) Alex Oliveira (170) vs. James Moontasri (170) Jim Alers (145) vs. Jason Knight (145) Luis Henrique (253) vs. Dmitry Smolyakov (251)
Holly Holm vs. Valentina Shevchenko: Mike Drahota: This bout presents an ultra-interesting match-up of two of the women’s bantamweight division’s best strikers, and certainly its most decorated. Coming off her upset loss to Miesha Tate at UFC 196, boxing champion Holm has everything to lose, while Muay Thai champion Shevchenko has nothing to lose. “Bullet”
This bout presents an ultra-interesting match-up of two of the women’s bantamweight division’s best strikers, and certainly its most decorated. Coming off her upset loss to Miesha Tate at UFC 196, boxing champion Holm has everything to lose, while Muay Thai champion Shevchenko has nothing to lose. “Bullet” is by far the lesser-known fighter, and her last fight was a loss to current champion Amanda Nunes, also at UFC 196. But that doesn’t tell the whole story, as Shevchenko had “The Lioness” on the ropes when the third round ended.
Regardless, this main event promises to be a power-packed striking affair, with both looking to stay one step ahead of their opponent on the feet. Holm should prevail if it stays at range, and it’s tough to decipher just who has the power advantage in this one. If it goes to the cinch, it should favor Shevchenko, and Holm’s highly suspect ground game could be tested if ‘Bullet’ decides to surprise her with a few takedowns. Holm simply needs this win though to get back into the title picture, and I think she stays largely on the outside to outscore Shevchenko. It’s a vanilla pick, but I’m going with Holm by unanimous decision.
Rory Kernaghan:
Holly Holm will be looking to bounce back from the brutal loss to Miesha Tate at UFC 195, and there won’t be a better time to do it after ‘Cupcake’ got dethroned at UFC 200. For Shevchenko, it’s about defeating a huge name in the former UFC champion and women’s boxing great, but a hill I feel will be far too steep to climb. ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ just has too much in the bag, and I see a unanimous decision on the cards for Holm.
Mike Henken:
Shevchenko is without question one of the best strikers in the bantamweight division as she holds a professional kickboxing record of 58-3. That success has transferred nicely over to MMA, where she currently stands at 14-2 after her recent a loss to reigning champion Nunes. Holm also has a decorated striking background as a multi-time former boxing champion and is coming off of a loss to Tate, but I simply feel as if she has the more well-rounded mixed martial arts skillset in this bout. I also feel as if her experience and motivation to recapture the title will play a part here. Holm by third-round TKO.
Edson Barboza vs. Gilbert Melendez:
Mike Drahota:
A pivotal co-main event for both Melendez and Barboza’s careers, both men will have several question marks heading into this bout. For former Strikeforce champ Melendez, it’s how he returns from a yearlong layoff due to a drug-related suspension following two losses to Eddie Alvarez and Anthony Pettis. For Barboza, it’s whether or not he can finally win a big fight against an elite fighter in a critical spot.
The Brazilian Muay Thai artist looked nothing less than surgical during his UFC 197 win over Pettis, but he’s also faded in big spots against the likes of Tony Ferguson, Donald Cerrone, and Michael Johnson. Barboza will need to rise to the occasion here and pick Melendez’ less refined striking apart from range, fending off the inevitable takedown attempts that will come his way. Melendez has the heart and power to put any lightweight away on a good night, but I feel his layoff may affect his performance against such a dynamic striker here. My pick is Barboza by decision.
Rory Kernaghan:
Melendez vs. Barboza is a great fight – two feisty lightweights who always show up for war, but an interesting contrast in styles. Barboza likes to keep the range long to whip in powerful kicks, but ‘El Nino’ wants to bring the fight to your front door with his gritty phone booth style. It’s more about who will be able to implement their gameplan and keep the fight within their chosen range. It’s a bit of a coin toss really, and you know how Melendez is going to fight, but Barboza has proven to be cagey in some big fights. I’m gonna go with my gut and call it Melendez by decision.
Mike Henken:
Melendez is a tough and gritty fighter with a wealth of championship level experience, but he’s also coming off of a lengthy layoff after being suspended due to a failed drug test. Barboza, on the other hand, has looked excellent as of late, winning two of his last three, and coming off of a victory over former champion Pettis. I feel as if “Junior’s” lethal striking game will lead him to victory here. Barboza by unanimous decision.
Holly Holm has had quite the busy year over the last 12 months. In November 2015, she scored the biggest victory of her storied career with a brutal head kick knockout of previously dominant UFC bantamweight champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey. “The Preacher’s Daughter” then suffered a disappointing fifth round submission loss in her first title
Holly Holm has had quite the busy year over the last 12 months. In November 2015, she scored the biggest victory of her storied career with a brutal head kick knockout of previously dominant UFC bantamweight champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey. “The Preacher’s Daughter” then suffered a disappointing fifth round submission loss in her first title defense against Miesha Tate in a fight she was likely winning.
Holm is now just days away from headlining UFC on FOX 20 (July 23, 2016) against Valentina Shevchenko in what could be deemed a title eliminator. Aside from her fighting, however, the former champion has also been quite busy with USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency). Recently speaking during a media scrum (Via MMAWeekly), “The Preacher’s Daughter” claimed that she has been tested a whopping 14 times, making her the most tested fighter on the roster:
“I want to know I didn’t need help. I want to know that I did it on my own. Because If I knew that I needed the help, it would kind of be more of a mental thing, that I didn’t believe in myself and that’s what I needed to. So for me it’s never been something I thought to do. And, it also keeps stress off of me that I have to worry about when they show up at my doorstep for a drug test at 6 a.m., because Friday was number 14, by the way. Just within the last year. It’s the most. This was the first time only urine, but blood and urine always. They actually did a list of who had been tested the most and Conor and I were tied for the most before I was tested again.”
With some of the sport’s biggest stars popping for performance-enhancing-drugs in recent memory, it’s no surprise to see USADA ramp up their testing, but Holm doesn’t seem bothered, and she’s never failed a test to date.
Do you feel as if USADA has done a strong job since partnering with the UFC last summer?
It looks like UFC on FOX 20 needs a whole new co-main event… Fans of the light-heavyweight showdown on July 23 between Anthony Johnson and Glover Teixira were disappointed to learn that ‘Rumble’ recently dropped from the card due to family issues. The Brazilian ‘GT’ stated he was willing to remain on the card, and
It looks like UFC on FOX 20 needs a whole new co-main event…
Fans of the light-heavyweight showdown on July 23 between Anthony Johnson and Glover Teixira were disappointed to learn that ‘Rumble’ recently dropped from the card due to family issues. The Brazilian ‘GT’ stated he was willing to remain on the card, and Alexander Gustafsson instantly threw his name in the mix to replace Johnson.
The bad news for fight fans continue, as we learn from a report on MMAFighting.com, that Teixeira will not be fighting on the Chicago card at all. Clearly either unable to find a suitable replacement, or perhaps preferring a reschedule of the original 205-pound burner with ‘Rumble,’ or maybe even ‘GT’ changed his mind, but apparently it’s just not happening now.
After losing back-to-back decisions to Phil Davis and Jon Jones, Teixeira has gone on a three fight spree that includes a submission win over Ovince St-Preux and knockout finishes against Patrick Cummins and most recently former champion Rashad Evans.
Anthony Johnson came unstuck in his UFC 187 title tilt with Daniel Cormier for the vacant strap, but has since redeemed himself with knockout wins over Jimi Manuwa and Ryan Bader. The FOX aired card goes ahead without a co-main event at present, and is headlined by former champion Holy Holm in a bantamweight battle with Valentina Schevchenko.
Stay tuned for more updates. Here’s how the UFC on FOX 20 card looks now:
Event: UFC on FOX 20 “Holm vs. Shevchenko” Date: Sat., July 23, 2016, on FOX Location: United Center in Chicago, Illinois
UFC on FOX 20 Main Event:
135 lbs.: Holly Holm vs. Valentina Shevchenko
UFC on FOX 20 Co-Main Event:
205 lbs.: Glover Teixeira vs. Anthony Johnson
Other Scheduled UFC on FOX 20 Fights:
155 lbs.: Edson Barboza vs. Gilbert Melendez 135 lbs.: Eddie Wineland vs. Frankie Saenz 170 lbs.: Ryan LaFlare vs. Alexander Yakovlev 170 lbs.: George Sullivan vs. Hector Urbina 155 lbs.: Alex Oliveira vs. James Moontasri 155 lbs.: Luis Henrique vs. Dmitry Smolyakov 115 lbs.: Felice Herrig vs. Kailin Curran 265 lbs.: Francis Ngannou vs. Bojan Mihajlovic
Sep 4, 2013; Belo Horizonte, BRAZIL; Glover Teixeira is checked before his fight against Ryan Bader (not pictured) during UFC Fight Night at Mineirinho Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports
Top UFC light heavyweight Glover Teixeira made a splash when he called out fellow former title challenger Anthony “Rumble” Johnson following his electric first-round knockout of former champion Rashad Evans in the main event of April 16’s UFC on FOX 19 from Tampa, Florida. And while “Rumble” may be looking for his next title shot
Top UFC light heavyweight Glover Teixeira made a splash when he called out fellow former title challenger Anthony “Rumble” Johnson following his electric first-round knockout of former champion Rashad Evans in the main event of April 16’s UFC on FOX 19 from Tampa, Florida.
And while “Rumble” may be looking for his next title shot after two straight knockouts over Ryan Bader and Jimi Manuwa following his failed title bid against current champion Daniel Cormier at UFC 187, it appears as if UFC President Dana White is coming through on his statement that Johnson vs. Teixeira ‘interests him,’ as it was revealed on UFC Tonight that the bout is being targeted for July 23’s UFC on FOX 20 from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
Both fighters come in with a ton of momentum from their recent win streaks, with Johnson having the aforementioned two straight victories to run his UFC record to an impressive 5-1 since returning to the promotion in April 2014, while Teixeira has scored three straight finishes over Ovince Saint Preux, Patrick Cummins, and Evans after a two-fight slide against Jon Jones and Phil Davis.
So UFC on FOX 20 could potentially feature a bout for the next light heavyweight title fight from The United Center. Who would you pick in this match-up of lethal 205-pound knockout sluggers?
