Valentina Shevchenko submitted Julianna Pena in the main event of Saturday’s UFC on FOX event in Denver, Colorado. Shevchenko submitted Pena with an armbar in the second round to secure her claim of a title shot against UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes.
Here’s how fighters reacted to a new top contender emerging in the UFC women’s bantamweight division.
Damn I told them in the back hey guys no submissions. #UFCDenver
— Zebrinha MMA (@EricSpicely) January 29, 2017
"Aggression" goes from being an advantage to a major hindrance when the opposing fighter has a higher/high skill level. #UFCDenver
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) January 29, 2017
Shevchenko's secret to success? Salted lemon slices. #UFCDenver
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) January 29, 2017
The bullet with the submission!!!! Remaaaaattttttcccchhhhhh!!!! @BulletValentina
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) January 29, 2017
Grinding type of fight at elevation. Tough type of fight
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) January 29, 2017
Super slick. #UFCDenver
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) January 29, 2017
After the fight, Shevchenko had a staredown and shared words with Nunes. The two fought in back in March with Nunes earning a decision victory. Nunes’ win over Shevchenko earned her a shot at the UFC title which she later won by submitting then-champion Miesha Tate.
Shevchenko is on a two-fight win streak. In July, she won a decision against former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Holly Holm.
With wins over Holm and Pena, it is hard to deny Shevchenko’s claim of being the top contender in the women’s bantamweight division. With both Shevchenko and Nunes being dominant in their recent performances it will be interesting to see how a second fight will play out.
