A former bantamweight champion and a former title contender will meet in the Windy City as Claudia Gadelha will face former belt holder Carla Esparza at UFC 225 on June 9th, the UFC has announced.
Gadelha has won two of her last three bouts, but is coming in off a loss to Jessica Andrade, which she suffered at Fight Night Saitama last September. Prior to that defeat, she earned victories over Karolina Kowalkiewicz and Cortney Casey.
The 29-year-old failed to win the bantamweight belt from former champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk, having her title challenge turned away at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale in July of 2016.
Esparza, the first woman to hold the bantamweight championship, has won her last two fights. She earned a victory over Maryna Moroz at Fight Night Oklahoma City and most recently over previously undefeated Cynthia Calvillo at UFC 219 in December.
After defeating Rose Namajunas to win the title at The Ultimate Fighter 20 finale, Esparza dropped the belt to Jedrzejczyk at UFC 185.