UFC announces Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Kelvin Gastelum for September 16 in Las Vegas

UFC is taking over Las Vegas for Mexican Independence Day, and the top of the card is filling out with big fights.

Former middleweight title challenger Kelvin Gastelum is returning to welterweight, where he will take on the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov. The bout will serve as the co-main event of a UFC Fight Night event taking place on Sept. 16 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The non-pay-per-view event will stream live on ESPN+.

UFC president Dana White officially announced the news on social media Wednesday. Headlining the event is a women’s flyweight title rematch between champion Alexa Grasso and former champ Valentina Shevchenko.

Rakhmonov (17-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) will step into the cage for the second time this year. At UFC 285, he submitted Geoff Neal in an incredible Fight of the Night battle. The 28-year-old has finished all five of his UFC opponents, submitting Alex Oliviera, Michel Prazeres, and Neil Magny, while recording a TKO against Carlston Harris.

Gastelum (18-8 MMA, 12-8 UFC) last competed at welterweight in 2016, where he picked up a unanimous decision over former champion Johnny Hendricks at UFC 200. He will also compete for the second time in 2023. In his first appearance of the year, he picked up a unanimous decision win over Chris Curtis at UFC 287. The victory snapped a two-fight skid against fellow former title challenger Jared Cannonier and former champion Robert Whittaker.

The current UFC Fight Night lineup for Sept. 16 includes:

• Champion Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko – for women’s flyweight title
• Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Kelvin Gastelum
• Chris Curtis vs. Anthony Hernandez
• Lupita Godinez vs. Sam Hughes