Valentina Shevchenko vs. Julianna Pena headlines UFC on FOX 23 in Denver

A key matchup that could very well determine the next contender for the UFC women’s bantamweight title has been booked for January.

UFC officials today announced thatValentina Shevchenko will meet Julianna Pena in the main event of UFC on FOX 23, which takes place Jan. 28 at Denver’s Pepsi Center.

Pena is currently ranked No. 3 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA women’s bantamweight rankings, while Shevchecnko checks in at No. 4.

Shevchecnko (13-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) finds herself in the second consecutive headlining bout of her UFC run after downing former champ Holly Holm at UFC on FOX 20 in July. It was a rebound from an entertaining loss to current champ Amanda Nunes at March’s UFC 196, where Shevchenko made a late run but suffered a decision loss in the three-round affair. “Bullet” made her promotional debut in December 2015, earning a split-decision win over Sarah Kaufman.

Pena (8-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) made her way to the UFC as the winner of the women’s bantamweight tournament on “The Ultimate Fighter 18,” competing under coach Miesha Tate. Pena claimed the tournament win with a TKO victory over Jessica Rakoczy and has since added victories over Milana Dudieva, Jessica Eye and, most recently, Cat Zingano.

With the addition to the card, UFC on FOX 23 now includes:

• Valentina Shevchenko vs. Julianna Pena
• Hector Lombard vs. Brad Tavares
• J.C. Cottrell vs. Jason Gonzalez
• Alexandre Pantoja vs. Eric Shelton

For more on UFC on FOX 23, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.