CHICAGO -- Holly Holm has suffered consecutive defeats for the first time in her storied combat sports career.Holm (10-2) came up short in a five-round bantamweight fight against Valentina Shevchenko on Saturday. A former professional kickboxer, Shevchenko (13-2) picked Holm apart over the course of 25 minutes en route to a unanimous decision. All three judges scored the fight convincingly for Shevchenko (49-46).The fight, which headlined UFC Fight Night at the United Center, was Holms first appearance since she lost the UFC championship to Miesha Tate in March. Holm submitted to a rear-naked choke in the fifth round of that bout but was mostly in control until then. That was not the case Saturday, as Shevchenko consistently beat Holm to the punch on the feet.Holm, 34, is 0-2 since knocking?Ronda Rousey?out at UFC 193 in November. She had never lost back-to-back fights, dating to her professional boxing career from 2002 to 2013.We expected counterpunches, Thai clinch game, trips, and she did all that, Holm said. We trained for it. I was taught all the right things. No excuses. My coaches teach me everything. My performance was not right tonight.Holm was a betting favorite going into Saturday, though a significant amount of money came in on Shevchenko in the 24 hours leading up the bout. Fighting out of Peru, the native of Kyrgyzstan is a seasoned striker, but Holm is listed as 3 inches taller, with a 2-inch reach advantage. Holm fought at a higher weight in boxing.In the first round, the size seemed to throw Shevchenko off a bit. Holm dropped Shevchenko with a short right hand and, after giving up a takedown, popped immediately back to her feet.By the second frame, however, Shevchenko started to find her range. She caught Holm coming in with the counter right hand over and over again and started to find a home for the inside leg kick. She threw a wicked, counter-spinning back fist that Holm just managed to block. Momentum was firmly in Shevchenkos corner after the second round, and she never relinquished it.According to immediate cageside stats from FightMetric, Shevchenko out-landed Holm in total strikes 110 to 69. Shevchenko, 28, improved to 2-1 in the UFC with the win. Her loss came via decision to current champion Amanda Nunes in March.Amanda is a good fighter. She has good standing and good ground game -- and of course, I want a rematch with Nunes for the title belt, Shevchenko said.Holm seemed to be aware that she was behind on the scorecards as the fight wore on. Shevchenko opened a small cut over Holms right eye in the third round, though that didnt seem to have a huge effect on Holm. Shevchenko scored a takedown later in the round and finished with hard elbows from the top position.With the Chicago crowd chanting Holms name, the former champ tried to get her left kick going -- arguably her most devastating strike -- but the counterstriking of Shevchenko limited its effect.The UFCs 135-pound womens division has been in flux since Holms knockout of Rousey. Tate managed to hold the title for just four months, as she lost in her first title defense to Nunes at UFC 200 on July 9.I know there are competitive girls in this sport. I know theres always somebody coming in, Holm said. The top five arent the same top five they were [before]. I feel like, especially this being the first womens division in the UFC, everyone looks at that and says, I want to fight there. So they work hard. It has created a lot of competition in our weight class, which is good. I want to feel like Im up against the best. I know these girls are tough. Thats what makes a win great and a loss devastating.Despite consecutive defeats, Holm remains one of the bigger draws of the womens bantamweight division. She has potential rematches against Tate and Rousey. The UFC has also shown interest in a potential fight between Holm and dominant 145-pounder Cris Cyborg Justino, who made her UFC debut earlier this year in a 140-pound catchweight.Holm declined to comment on which of those shed be most interested in.Coming off two losses, Ive never been in this position before, Holm said. Personally, yeah, I have some wins, but I dont really feel like Im in the place to choose. I think I just have to take whatever opportunities they give me.Barboza gets the best of MelendezLightweight contender Edson Barboza (18-4) defeated former Strikeforce champion and two-time UFC title challenger Gilbert Melendez (22-6) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28). Barboza assaulted Melendezs body and legs with kicks, to the point that Melendez could barely stand on his lead leg by the third round.Melendez, who sat out the past year due to a drug suspension, mixed his strikes well early on but couldnt match the Brazilians offense over the course of three rounds. He hurt Barboza with a right hand in the second round and enticed him into an extended exchange but then elected to shoot a double-leg takedown in the middle of it. Barboza fought off the attempt and managed to clear the cobwebs in the process.It was one of several failed takedown attempts by Melendez. As early as the first round, Barbozas kicks and left hooks produced red welts on Melendezs body.Barboza, who trains with Mark Henry and Ricardo Almeida Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in New Jersey, has put together two consecutive high-profile wins against Melendez and Anthony Pettis. Barboza mentioned former champion Rafael dos Anjos as a potential next opponent.Ngannou finishes off MihajlovicFrench heavyweight Francis Ngannou (8-1) steamrolled his third consecutive UFC opponent in knocking out Bojan Mihajlovic with strikes on the ground at 1:34 of the first round. Mihajlovic looked out of his league from the start. Ngannou stalked his opponent around the Octagon, calmly looking for an opening. It came in the form of a blistering left hook, which put Mihajlovic down. Ngannou swarmed the Serbian with punches to finish the fight. Ngannou is 3-0 in the UFC.Herrig returns to submit CurranStrawweight Felice Herrig (11-6) came off a 15-month layoff and submitted Kailin Curran (4-3) via rear-naked choke at 1:59 of the opening round. Herrig scored a takedown after blocking a Curran head kick in the first minute. Herrig quickly passed guard and jumped straight to Currans back. Curran stood briefly, but Herrig stayed on her and slipped her right arm under Currans chin. Curran fell backward and eventually tapped to the choke. It is the fourth submission win of Herrigs career. Curran drops to 1-3 in the UFC. http://www.falconsrookiestore.com/Falcons-Jake-Matthews-Jersey/ . "I was fortunate to play many years at this level with a great organization and unbelievable teammates," said Hejduk in a statement. http://www.falconsrookiestore.com/Falcons-Ty-Sambrailo-Jersey/ . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. http://www.falconsrookiestore.com/Falcons-Matt-Bosher-Jersey/ . Hazard cut in from the left and scored with a swerving right-footed shot for ninth goal of the season, which proved to be enough for the victory despite Chelseas forwards again lacking a cutting edge up front. http://www.falconsrookiestore.com/Falcons-Austin-Hooper-Jersey/ . -- PGA TOUR Canada member Steve Saunders took a three-stroke lead Saturday in the Web. http://www.falconsrookiestore.com/Falcons-Derrick-Shelby-Jersey/ . -- Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis was charged Thursday with driving while intoxicated, a day after he was suspended for an NFL substance-abuse policy violation. PASADENA, Calif. -- Although the five-county Los Angeles area is a sprawling metropolis of nearly 19 million people, the Southland can be a small town to its best young football players, who know all about each other from Pop Warner onward.For those who stay close to home for college, UCLAs annual crosstown showdown with Southern California is a lively rivalry game with a unique edge. Almost everybody has friends across the line of scrimmage, which makes a victory even sweeter.Theyve all played together, and theyve played against each other a lot since they were little kids, UCLA coach Jim Mora said. So theres a little special feeling there.For instance, USC defensive back Chris Hawkins and UCLA receiver Darren Andrews grew up together in the eastern LA suburbs, running track and forming a family friendship. When they line up against each other at the Rose Bowl on Saturday night, their friendly competition will have an extra bite.The first thing we say when we see each other, we boast about, `Yeah, we beat yall this year, Hawkins said. Hell say the same thing. Thats what we are out here working so hard for. Everything is about bragging rights, especially in this atmosphere and this type of rivalry. You want that W. This is a must-win. We cant lose this game.Both teams have relatively modest stakes in their 86th meeting, but a rivalry game carries its own weight.No. 15 USC (7-3, 6-2 Pac-12) has rescued its season from the brink of catastrophe with six straight wins, its longest streak since 2008, capped by an upset victory at fourth-ranked Washington last week.USC still needs help to win the Pac-12 South. But with Notre Dame arriving next week, the Trojans will have no shortage of motivation while facing their two biggest rivals in their final two games of the regular season.The Trojans dont think their resuscitation would be complete without a victory over struggling UCLA (4-6, 2-5), which snapped a four-game skid last weekend by beating Oregon State. The Bruins would have to win out to guarantee bowl eligibility, but a win over USC would mean a whole lot more than any lower-tier postseason destination.Hopefully we can get a win against them so I can talk smack, said UCLA linebacker Jayon Brown, the Pac-12s leading tackler. Getting a victory against those guys would be everything.Here are more things to watch when both teams wear their home jerseyys to play for the Victory Bell:COACHING CLASH: Mora had beaten USC three straight times before last season, when interim coach Clay Helton led the Trojans past UCLA 40-21 at the Coliseum.dddddddddddd The victory was life-changing for Helton, who was given the permanent job by former athletic director Pat Haden two days later. Mora reveled in his mastery over friends Lane Kiffin and Steve Sarkisian, but he has only a passing acquaintance with Helton. No matter what happens, Mora is finishing his worst season of a half-decade in Westwood.FAMILIAR FACES: The players familiarity leads to subtle adjustments in this rivalry game, particularly when friends like Andrews and Hawkins face off. You kind of know what they do, and they know what you do, but you still have to do your assignment, Andrews said. You might have to add a little more flavor to whatever your route concept is. A little more flavor to disguise it, so he doesnt pick up my tendencies.QUARTERBACK COLLISION: Sam Darnold and Mike Fafaul are making their first appearances in the crosstown showdown. Darnold is among the most promising passers in the game late in his standout freshman season, while Fafaul has been resilient while playing the second half of his senior season in place of injured Josh Rosen. Darnold will be challenged by UCLAs outstanding defense, while Fafaul will have to be careful to avoid interceptions after throwing 10 in the previous five games.RUNAWAYS: USCs running game is sharp, with Ronald Jones II and Justin Davis leading a yardage-chewing group. UCLAs inability to run the ball has submarined its entire season, with the Bruins managing only 87.2 yards per game -- the second-worst total in the FBS. USCs defense has bottled up several good attacks, holding Washington to 17 yards on the ground last week.HAPPY ANNIVERSARY: While most UCLA players were too young to remember, Bruins fans have fond memories of this game 10 years ago. UCLA stunned USC 13-9 at the Rose Bowl in December 2006, depriving Pete Carrolls second-ranked Trojans of the chance to play for another national title. The loss was only the fourth in 59 games for USC during that dominant stretch.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 Discount Jerseys NFL Jerseys Wholesale Cheap NFL T-shirts Cheap NFL Womens Jerseys Black China NFL Jerseys Disocunt Football Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Throwback Wholesale Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale NFL Womens Jerseys Cheap Stitched Jerseys Discount NFL Jerseys Black China NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Store Stitched Jerseys ' ' '