Valentina Shevchenko stuns Holly Holm at UFC Fight Night

Valentina Shevchenko jabbing Holly Holm at UFC Fight Night in Chicago. Photo / Getty

Valentina Shevchenko defeated Holly Holm in the main event of the UFC Fight Night in Chicago on Sunday (NZT).

The fight went the full five rounds, but Shevchenko clearly dominated for the majority, winning via unanimous decision. She outscored Holm 49-46 on all the judges' scorecards.

Holm gained momentum early in the first round when she dropped Shevchenko with a clean right hook. Shevchenko was able to work the fight into her comfort zone, in the clinch, but Holm still remained in control.

Shevchenko began to open up in the second round but really found her rhythm in the third, where she picked apart an aggressive Holm with counter hooks, one of which cut Holm above her right eye, causing blood to pour out.

Holm responded by trying to force the fight back into the clinch, hoping to find the same success she found earlier, but Shevchenko was able to regain control and drag "The Preacher's Daughter" to the canvas where she continued to score with elbows until the round ended.

For the next 10 minutes over rounds four and five, Shevchenko continued to show impeccable timing as she landed at a much higher rate than Holm with counterpunch after counterpunch that left her opponent visibly frustrated.

Unofficially, Shevchenko out-struck the former boxing champion 110-69 and landed 82 significant strikes - both UFC career highs - to go with three takedowns.

"I am very excited for this fight, for this victory. It's very important for my career," Shevchenko told Joe Rogan. "My strategy was to do everything I know, put my all of my heart, my power, everything I learned in 20 years of martial arts, and I did it!"

The victory places Shevchenko at the forefront of the women's bantamweight title picture, especially since she fought current champion Amanda Nunes for three tough rounds back in March. She's hoping her performance in Chicago grants her another shot at the Brazilian champion.

"Amanda, she's a good fighter. She has good stand-up and good ground game, but of course I want a rematch with Nunes for the title belt," Shevchenko said.