Valentina Shevchenko to Defend Flyweight Crown vs. Jessica Andrade at UFC 261

Valentina Shevchenko will defend her flyweight belt against former 115-pound champion Jessica Andrade at UFC 261.

UFC president Dana White confirmed the bout to broadcast partner ESPN on Wednesday. UFC 261 takes place on April 24 at an as yet to be announced location. It is unclear if Shevchenko vs. Andrade will serve as the evening’s main event.

A former bantamweight title challenger, Shevchenko has been victorious in her last six Octagon appearances. “Bullet” captured the 125-pound title with a five-round verdict over Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 231 and has followed with four successful defenses. Most recently, Shevchneko earned a lopsided unanimous verdict against Jennifer Maia at UFC 255. The 32-year-old’s only two defeats in 11 UFC fights have come against two-division champion Amanda Nunes.

Andrade made a successful 125-pound debut last October, when she scored a first-round knockout of former title challenger Katlyn Chookagian at UFC Fight Night 180. The 29-year-old Brazilian has fought at three weight classes in the Las Vegas-based promotion and owns notable wins over the likes of Rose Namajunas, Claudia Gadelha, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, Joanne Calderwood, Angela Hill and Raquel Pennington.