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A new number-one contender was born on Saturday night, as multiple-time Muay Thai champion Valentina Shevchenko showed off her fast-improving mixed martial arts game by submitting Julianna Pena with a slick second-round armbar in the main event of UFC on FOX 23.
Shevchenko's victory topped off a night of breakthrough performances in Denver, and as always, the pros were loving things every step of the way. Catch reaction to all of UFC on FOX 23's main card below.
VALENTINA SHEVCHENKO DEF. JULIANNA PENA
Wow!!! Didn't see that coming! @ufc
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) January 29, 2017
Beautiful submission from @BulletValentina #BJJ #UFCDenver
— Jessica Jag Aguilar (@jagatt) January 29, 2017
The bullet with the submission!!!! Remaaaaattttttcccchhhhhh!!!! @BulletValentina
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) January 29, 2017
Well I think it's safe to say, no1 expected a victory like that!! Congratulations @BulletValentina on a beautiful fight. #UFCDenver
— Corey Anderson UFC (@CoreyA_MMA) January 29, 2017
Wow the real deal @BulletValentina give her Nunes next #MauyThai #WinsByABar #UFCDenver
— Damien Brown (@beatdown155) January 29, 2017
Oh shit muay thai girl submits submission artist!!
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) January 29, 2017
Wow did not see a sub coming from @BulletValentina !! Congrats! @ufc #UFCDENVER
— Brian Camozzi (@BrianCamozzi) January 29, 2017
Valentina on the other hand is all of what Peña is: Strong, athletic, aggressive BUT... with an actual technical approach! She takes it!
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) January 29, 2017
You wouldn't be surprised if you trained with @BulletValentina she could go another 8 rounds!!
— Alex Volkanovski (@alexvolkanovski) January 29, 2017
That dance though! @UFC #ImLost
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) January 29, 2017
@BulletValentina could possibly do very well in @DancingABC just as much as @PaigeVanzantUFC what do you think? @ufc
— Jon SuperSaiyan Tuck (@JonCruzTuck) January 29, 2017
A loss is horrible enough. BUT crossing all boundaries w/ what u say & losing? I hope Pena stays off internet. This 1 will hurt. #UFCDenver
— Johnny Hollywood (@HollywoodCase) January 29, 2017
I did not guess Valentina was going to get the submission
— Leslie Smith (@LeslieSmith_GF) January 29, 2017
Sometimes you're the hammer & sometimes you're the nail. All I know is VV will be back stronger then ever & she will still become champion.
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) January 29, 2017
JORGE MASVIDAL DEF. DONALD CERRONE
Masvidal is nasty!!! @GamebredFighter
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) January 29, 2017
— Will Brooks (@ILLxWillBrooks) January 29, 2017
Cowboys fucking done!!!
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) January 29, 2017
What???? That was a rap!!! He's still there though!!
— Michael Johnson (@FollowTheMenace) January 29, 2017
Wtf??? #UFCDenver
— Matt Schnell (@DANGER_Caged) January 29, 2017
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) January 29, 2017
Oh shit what a fight!
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) January 29, 2017
Holy WOW!!!!! #UFCDenver
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) January 29, 2017
That should be over for Cowboy's sake! #UFCDenver #ThugjitsuThoughts
— Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) January 29, 2017
Not ok.. can't believe this #UfcDenver
— Jessica Jag Aguilar (@jagatt) January 29, 2017
@GamebredFighter is a gangster that was nasty.
— Brian Camozzi (@BrianCamozzi) January 29, 2017
Yes yes yes @GamebredFighter
— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) January 29, 2017
Fuck ya!!!!!!!!!!! @GamebredFighter is the man!!!!!!! Told you guys #easymoneycampaign #UFC #UFCdenver
— Nik Lentz (@NikLentz) January 29, 2017
That's fucking right!! What's up!!?? Say something about my boy @GamebredFighter #ufcdenver
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) January 29, 2017
Let's finish him again @GamebredFighter #UfcDenver
— Jessica Jag Aguilar (@jagatt) January 29, 2017
Congratulations @GamebredFighter
— Kyoji Horiguchi (@kyoji1012) January 29, 2017
Great work @GamebredFighter looking amazing tonight! Huge win!! @UFC_CA @ufc
— Chad Laprise (@ChadLaprise) January 29, 2017
#easymoneycampaign pic.twitter.com/iyq1JxhKpI
— Will Brooks (@ILLxWillBrooks) January 29, 2017
Called it! Second round stoppage! Hats off @GamebredFighter you prove me right. Best boxing in @UFC #Congrats @AmericanTopTeam
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) January 29, 2017
Great finish happy for Masvidol he's been on the short end of so many bs split decision it's great to see him getting his shine
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) January 29, 2017
That's a bad man... congrats @GamebredFighter! #UFCDenver
— Zachary Makovsky (@ZachFunSize) January 29, 2017
Masvidal is a savage & he plays the bad guy so well. Loves the boos.
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) January 29, 2017
That's my boy @gamebredfighter ! Glad to see my brother do it!!! Let's get a title fight. #ATT… https://t.co/ZNMb3VYuub
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) January 29, 2017
Really pissed me off that Herb let cowboy take that punishment in the 2nd when he clearly stopped the fight before the bell rang in rnd 1!
— Shane Burgos (@HurricaneShaneB) January 29, 2017
Till the day I die I have my brothers back. @Cowboycerrone is the best fighter on earth. I hate this sport sometimes. #mma #ufc pic.twitter.com/ohCuQ3nOgE
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) January 29, 2017
$200k huh? ....@ufc
— Neil Magny (@NeilMagny) January 29, 2017
FRANCIS NGANNOU DEF. ANDREI ARLOVSKI
Shit is over!!! Freakin Ngannou !
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) January 29, 2017
Ngannou has some serious power @ufc #UFCDenver
— Arnold billy allen (@Arnoldbfa) January 29, 2017
Ngannou is a scary human being. #ufcdenver
— Scott Holtzman (@HotSauceHoltzy) January 29, 2017
Arlovski loooing very timid already! And that's why!! @francis_ngannou is dangerous!!!
— Michael Johnson (@FollowTheMenace) January 29, 2017
Always love watching #arlovski but it might be time for him to hang them up. Weak chin in hvwt division is not a good combo. #MMA #ufc
— Jordan Rinaldi (@JordanRinaldi) January 29, 2017
How does a guy that big move that well? #ufcdenver
— Scott Holtzman (@HotSauceHoltzy) January 29, 2017
Why am I that color though? He looks.......not well. https://t.co/mFgLitbO0k
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocicufc) January 29, 2017
JASON KNIGHT DEF. ALEX CACERES
@Jasonthekid23 relentless nice finish. It was always coming with the time he had his back #UFCDenver
— Damien Brown (@beatdown155) January 29, 2017
#knight is tough no doubt, but that makes me wonder how long your career will be with that style. #mma #ufc
— Jordan Rinaldi (@JordanRinaldi) January 29, 2017
Great win by my boy @Jasonthekid23 congrats bro!
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) January 29, 2017
@Jasonthekid23 I am now officially a fan
— Louis Smolka (@LASTSAMURAIUFC) January 29, 2017
Damn..... don't give that kid your back..... that look miserable #UFC #UFCDenver https://t.co/uKishLJVJt
— Nik Lentz (@NikLentz) January 29, 2017
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