Antonina Shevchenko posts lengthy statement in response to Valentina's Noche UFC fight
19/09/2023 15:08
On Saturday night, due to a widely controversial scorecard, Valentina Shevchenko left Noche UFC without a title. That scorecard, from Judge Mike Bell, had a 10-8 round which caused a split draw to occur and Alexa Grasso kept her title.
After the fight, several members of the media, UFC fighters, and others have come forward to support Shevchenko.
One of those supporters is Antonina Shevchenko, the sister of Valentina and a fellow UFC fighter. She took to Instagram to voice her thoughts in a lengthy post.
"Valentina you are our champion!" she wrote. "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! 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."
She continued, "And many martial arts experts around the world have many questions for him. 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. 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! It was a beautiful, spectacular fight between two high level opponents, with amazing MMA technique, which can be watched over and over. I admire your technique, your strong personality, will power, fanaticism, love for martial arts and life in general! You are my example!"
This draw comes after Valentina lost her title to Grasso. Prior to that, Valentina seemed unbeatable.
