Cris "Cyborg" Justino will defend the Invicta FC featherweight title against Faith Van Duin on July 9 in Las Vegas.
Invicta FC officials announced the long-expected bout on Thursday, hours after the all-female promotion received a license to promote in the state of Nevada. The event will take place at The Cosmopolitan Hotel and Casino.
Justino (13-1) successfully defended the title in spectacular fashion in February, knocking out challenger Charmaine Tweet in 46 seconds. The Brazilian is angling toward a mega-fight against UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey either late this year or in early 2016, but must demonstrate she can make the 135-pound weight limit first. She has never fought below the 145-pound weight category.
Training out of Huntington Beach, California, the former Strikeforce featherweight champion intends to attempt a drop to 135 pounds this year, perhaps in the fall.
Van Duin (5-1) earned the title of No. 1 contender earlier this year, submitting Amanda Bell in the second round of a bout at Invicta FC 12 in April. The New Zealand native has only been fighting professionally since 2013, but has four career finishes.
In addition to the main event, Invicta FC officials announced two more title fights for the Thursday card.
Tonya Evinger (15-5) will fight Irene Aldana (5-1) for the bantamweight title and atomweight champion Herica Tiburcio (9-2) will fight Japanese challenger Ayaka Hamasaki (11-1).
