UFC 228 is set to take place on Sept. 8, 2018, from inside American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The card is shaping up as the UFC announced intriguing matchups for the pay-per-view (PPV) event on Wednesday.
Among them is UFC women’s flyweight title bout, where Nicco Montano will defend her belt for the first time against former bantamweight title challenger Valentina Shevchenko. This news first confirmed by ESPN’s Ariel Helwani.
Montano hasn’t competed since defeating Roxanne Modafferi via unanimous decision and became the inaugural women’s 125-pound champion at The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale back in December 2017. Shevchenko has been campaigning for title fight since demolishing of Priscila Cachoeira via second-round rear-naked choke in February, but Montano’s health issues delayed the showdown.
Another marquee matchup confirmed between former strawweight title challengers Kowalkiewicz (12-2) and Andrade (18-6). Both contenders are entering into UFC 228 with two win streak.
Also confirmed an interesting 135-pound showdown between former flyweight title challenger John Dodson and top bantamweight Jimmie Rivera; also, Carla Esparza (13-5) will look for a win after a recent loss to Gadelha when she meets the undefeated Tatiana Suarez.
A featherweight bout between Yair Rodriguez and Zabit Magomedsharipov also added.
Top-ranked bantamweight Aljamain Sterling will meet Cody Stamann (17-1). FanSided first reported the news.
Also, bantamweight showdown between Ryan Benoit (10-5) and Roberto Sanchez, a middleweight contest between Charles Byrd and Darren Stewart, and a welterweight fight between Geoff Neal and Frank Camacho confirmed.
See the updated UFC 228 card:
Nicco Montano vs. Valentina Shevchenko
Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs. Jessica Andrade
Carla Esparza vs. Tatiana Suarez
Aljamain Sterling vs. Cody Stamann
John Dodson vs. Jimmie Rivera
Yair Rodriguez vs. Zabit Magomedsharipov
Ryan Benoit vs. Roberto Sanchez
Charles Byrd vs. Darren Stewart
Geoff Neal vs. Frank Camacho
