Amanda Nunes consolidated her place as UFC bantamweight champion with an opening round destruction of Ronda Rousey at UFC 207, now two of the top ranked contenders will battle to be her next challenger as Julianna Pena faces Valentina Shevchenko at UFC on FOX 23 this Saturday.

Shevchenko, the number one ranked fighter in the division, enters the bout off a dominant five round unanimous decision victory over former champion Holly Holm.  

She has captured six of her last seven fights, including a 2-1 mark in the UFC.  Her only setback in that run that dates back to 2011 and came at the hands of Nunes at UFC 196.

“If I have to show the world that I am the best I don’t care who, I will fight till I take what I want,” Shevchenko said on UFC Road to the Octagon. “The belt is what I want.”

“I answer about me; I don’t even want to think about (Pena).  I want to speak not only with my hands but with my legs, with every skill I have I will use everything.  2017 will be the best year for me exactly what will happen we’ll know on January 28th, but I know for sure that I will show the best of me to receive the right to fight for the title.”
 

SHEVCHENKO'S UFC RESULTS (2-1)

 
Opponent Result Method Event Date Round Time
Holly Holm WIN Unanimous Decision UFC on FOX 20 July 23/16 5 5:00
Amanda Nunes LOSS Unanimous Decision UFC 196 Mar 5/16 3 5:00
Sarah Kaufman WIN Split Decision UFC on FOX 17 Dec 19/15 3 5:00
 

If she wants the belt, she’ll have to start with a victory over Pena at the Denver, Colorado event.

Pena, a Spokane, Washington native, is undefeated in her four UFC bouts dating back to her victory over Jessica Rakoczy to become the first ever female winner of the Ultimate Fighter.

Since capturing that honour, she’s picked up a TKO victory over Milana Dudieva and unanimous decision wins over Jessica Eye and former title contender Cat Zingano.

“I have seen Valentina fight and her striking is no joke, but I have hands too,” Pena said on UFC Road to the Octagon.  “She hits like a fly on the wall and there is no mustard behind anything and I hit with bad intentions every single shot.”

“My goal is to go put a hellacious beating on this chick because my goal is to put those 12 pounds of gold around my waist.  She’s got some great skill sets but I believe that my skill set is bigger and that I’m going to put a bludgeoning on her. “
 

PENA'S UFC RESULTS (4-0)

 
Opponent Result Method Event Date Round Time
Cat Zingano WIN Unanimous Decision UFC 200 July 9/16 3 5:00
Jessica Eye WIN Unanimous Decision UFC 192 Oct 3/15 3 5:00
Milana Dudieva WIN TKO (Punches) UFC FN 63 Apr 4/15 1 3:59
Jessica Rakoczy WIN TKO (Punches) TUF 18 Finale Nov 30/13 1 4:59
 

Donald Cerrone, who has captured all four of his fights since making the move to welterweight after losing a lightweight title bout, will face Jorge Masvidal in the co-main event and former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski will fight Francis Ngannou, a 30-year-old with a 9-1 record.