Striker Valentina Shevchenko used her clinch and submission skills to tap former TUF winner Julianna Pena in the second round at UFC on FOX 23 in Denver.
Pena immediately went to the clinch, using knees to try and bring the fight to the ground but Shevchenko hung tough and took Pena down several times, although she didn’t inflict much damage there. In the second round, after another takedown, “Bullet” secured the armbar when Pena tried to scramble.
Referee Herb Dean called the bout at 4:29.
It was a tough loss for Pena, who stood shell-shocked in her corner afterwards, flanked by her team.
Shevchenko was greeted by bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes in the post-fight interview and the two had a conversation about their impending rematch, this time with the belt on the line.
YES! YES! YES! YES! #UFCDenver pic.twitter.com/HfP9MMkA5w
— UFC (@ufc) January 29, 2017
Shevchenko, Jason Knight, Francis Ngannou and Jorge Masvidal all earned performance of the night awards and a $50,000 USD bonus each.
#UFCDenver #POTN Bonuses:@BulletValentina @Francis_Ngannou@JasonTheKid23 @GamebredFighter
$50k each pic.twitter.com/1NiykneuNd— UFC (@ufc) January 29, 2017
In case you missed the prelims:
JASON GONZALEZ DEF JC COTTRELL VIA SUBMISSION R1 3:54
ALEXANDRE PANTOJA DEF ERIC SHELTON VIA SPLIT-DECISION (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
MARCOS ROGERIO DE LIMA DEF JEREMY KIMBALL VIA TKO R1 2:27
ERIC SPICELY DEF ALESSIO DI CHIRICO VIA SUBMISSION R1 2:14
JORDAN JOHNSON DEF LUIS HENRIQUE DA SILVA VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
LI JINGLIANG DEF BOBBY NASH VIA KO R2 4:45
RAPHAEL ASSUNCAO DEF ALJAMAIN STERLING VIA SPLIT-DECISION (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
SAM ALVEY DEF NATE MARQUARDT VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
MAIN CARDÂ
ALEX CACERES VS JASON KNIGHTÂ
https://twitter.com/ufc/status/825513874128400384
WINNER: JASON KNIGHT VIA SUBMISSION R2 4:21
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ALEX CACERES VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Andrews:Â Give Knight credit. He got the fight to the ground, and went to work as Caceres was doing fine on the feet. He earned that rear-naked choke. Excellent win.
#7 ANDERI ARLOVSKI VS #10 FRANCIS NGANNOU
Who do YOU want to see @Francis_Ngannou fight next? #UFCDenver pic.twitter.com/HGsFqHbWdM
— UFC (@ufc) January 29, 2017
WINNER: FRANCIS NGANNOU VIA TKO R1 1:32
ANDREWS PREDICTION: FRANCIS NGANNOU VIA TKO
Andrews:Â It’s time for “The Pitbull” to retire. That’s four (4) straight finishes and Dana White needs to stop this before it’s too late. Excellent win for Ngannou and he didn’t even fully land that initial punch.
#5 DONALD CERRONE VS #12 JORGE MASVIDALÂ
Masvidal is FIRED UP!! #UFCDenver pic.twitter.com/lsX8xlQrB1
— UFC (@ufc) January 29, 2017
WINNER: JORGE MASVIDAL VIA TKO R2 1:00
ANDREWS PREDICTION: DONALD CERRONEÂ VIAÂ UNANIMOUS DECISION
Andrews: What an aggressive performance by “Gamebred!” He was ready for Cerrone’s kicks as he returned a nice combo that surprised “Cowboy.” When he fights like that, he is a contender.
MAIN EVENT
#1 VALENTINA SHEVCHENKO VS #2 JULIANNA PENA
STATEMENT. MADE. @BulletValentina #UFCDenver pic.twitter.com/bP2L7WvuKI
— UFC (@ufc) January 29, 2017
WINNER:Â VALENTINA SHEVCHENKO VIA SUBMISSION R2 4:29
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JULIANNA PENA VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Shevchenko reminded us of her well-roundedness tonight, hanging tough in the clinch and securing several takedowns, that eventually led to the armbar when Pena tried to scramble in the second round. Excellent win for “Bullet,” and now she will likely get a title shot and rematch with Amanda Nunes.
