Announcement: Shavkat Rakhmonov and Kelvin Gastelum to Co-Main Event UFC Card on September 16
In an exciting matchup, Shavkat Rakhmonov and Kelvin Gastelum are set to face off in the co-main event of the upcoming UFC card on September 16. The event will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be held in celebration of Mexican Independence Day.
The news was confirmed by UFC president Dana White, who also revealed that the flyweight title rematch between champion Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko will serve as the main event.
Both Rakhmonov and Gastelum had expressed their desire for this fight, and the UFC has granted their request. Rakhmonov has been undefeated throughout his career with a perfect 17-0 record, boasting an impressive 100 percent finishing rate. He has steadily climbed the UFC rankings, securing notable victories over Geoff Neal and Neil Magny in his most recent bouts.
Gastelum, a former interim middleweight title challenger, is returning to the welterweight division for the first time since 2016. While he faced weight-cutting issues in the past, his move to middleweight allowed him to make a significant impact. Notably, he claimed victories over Michael Bisping, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, and engaged in a thrilling Fight of the Night performance against Chris Curtis in his latest outing.
The Rakhmonov vs. Gastelum fight promises to be a challenging test for both competitors, as they dive headfirst into the welterweight division. Fans can expect an action-packed event, with additional fights yet to be announced. The card will be broadcast live on ESPN+ for domestic viewers.
