UFC 261 has its first title fight.
Women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko will seek her fifth consecutive successful title defense when she takes on former strawweight champion Jessica Andrade on the April 24 pay-per-view card. The event currently doesn’t have an official location or venue.
UFC president Dana White informed broadcast partner ESPN of the news Wednesday.
Shevchenko (20-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) won the inaugural UFC women’s flyweight title fight at UFC 231 in December 2018 when she defeated Joanna Jedrzejczyk by unanimous decision. After becoming champion, Shevchenko has successfully defended her title against Jessica Eye, Liz Carmouche, and Katlyn Chookagian.
Most recently, Shevchenko defended her title at UFC 255 when she won a unanimous decision against Jennifer Maia.
Andrade (21-8 MMA, 12-6 UFC) moved up to women’s flyweight and made her divisional debut in October against former UFC title challenger Katlyn Chookagian with strikes in Round 1. The result punched Andrade’s ticket back in the win column following back-to-back losses to Rose Namajunas and Zhang Weili.
With the addition, the latest UFC 261 lineup includes:
Valentina Shevchenko vs. Jessica Andrade – for UFC women’s flyweight title
Uriah Hall vs. Chris Weidman
Jimmy Crute vs. Anthony Smith
Danaa Batgerel vs. Kevin Natividad