The main event of UFC Denver is over, and it did not disappoint. Julianna Pena and Valentina Shevchenko didn’t have to use the championship rounds.
Pena forced her game straight away, pushing forward and clinching in the first round, she continuously landed knees, but Shevchenko started to time her, and managed to counter a few times with takedowns. Pena threw up an armbar from bottom at the end of the round, but didn’t have the time to get it locked in properly.
Second round was, as we expected, more of the same, with Pena pushing forward, initiating wrestling, and implying her suffocating style. Pena managed to get a quick takedown midway through the round but Shevchenko got right back up. Towards the end of the second round, Pena get a big takedown, and did a good job of staying on top and using some offence. Shevchenko continued to throw up her legs looking for submissions, and with less than one minute left, she caught Pena in an armbar. Pena rolled and spun, stepped over and did everything she could to get out, but Shevchenko had a tight grip, and weren’t letting go.
Pena tapped with her arm extended abnormally, and Shevchenko jumped up and celebrated. With the win, Valentina Shevchenko earns herself a shot at the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship, which is currently held by Amanda Nunes.
