Antonina Shevchenko, the sister of Valentina Shevchenko, released an emotional message reacting to the Noche UFC main event result.
On September 16, the UFC honored Mexican Independence Day with a fight night card inside the T-Mobile Arena. In the main event, Alexa Grasso retained her women’s flyweight title against Shevchenko after judge Mike Bell shockingly scored the fifth round a 10-8, leading to a split-decision draw.
Without Bell’s generous fifth-round scoring toward Grasso, Shevchenko would have been awarded the win and regained the women’s 125-pound throne.
Since the result was announced, ‘Bullet’ and her team have questioned the controversial decision. The former UFC champion’s sister, Antonina Shevchenko, who fights in the same division, had this to say on Instagram:
“Valentina you are our champion! @bulletvalentina I am so sorry that instead of a deserved victory, the result of the fight was a “Draw”. Which makes me terribly angry and sad! That because of the meanness of one judge, who scored 5th round as 10-8, today you are not with the belt, as it should be!”
Antonina Shevchenko continued:
“I can’t understand where this score came out for him. When half of the round you outstriked your opponent with the hands, and half of the round she was taking your back and sitting there and holding the position. Yes, it was a control time, but no damage. So, 10-8 in round like it?? Unfortunately, the judge could not and will not be able to explain his decision. And many martial arts experts around the world have many questions for him.”
Antonina Shevchenko praises her sister, Valentina Shevchenko, for gusty performance at Noche UFC
In the aftermath of Noche UFC, Valentina Shevchenko revealed she broke her thumb in round one. ‘Bullet’ continued fighting and nearly won an action-packed five-round battle. Antonino Shevchenko praised her sister for showcasing a warrior spirit by saying this in the same Instagram post mentioned above:
“You are my hero! In the first round, you broke a thumb and without even blinking an eye, you continued boxing for all 5 rounds, showing your courage and character! And you didn’t even tell us anything about this injury between rounds, when our coach gave you the instructions of continuing the fight mostly with boxing and punches.”
Antonina Shevchenko continued:
“And you didn’t complain in 3rd round about 5 illegal knees that your opponent landed to the head! You continued the fight like a warrior! Please don’t be upset, my dear sister! Everyone who saw this fight knows that you are the winner!”
Valentina Shevchenko arguably has a reason to be frustrated, but the Noche UFC main event scorecards are official. Therefore, the question for ‘Bullet’ is, what’s next?
The 35-year-old former women’s flyweight champion has begun advocating for another immediate rematch. With that said, it’s unclear if the UFC is interested in granting her request.
Check out Antonina Shevchenko’s Instagram post below:
