Fighting behind closed doors presents many challenges for fighters, but as well as dealing with an empty crowd, Antonina Shevchenko also had an absentee from her corner at UFC on ESPN 9.
Reigning UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is a regular presence in her sister’s corner for her fights, but she was unable to be in attendance on Saturday night at the UFC Apex as Antonina fell to a unanimous defeat to the woman Valentina defeated in her most recent appearance, Katlyn Chookagian.
“Bullet” finished Chookagian in the third round of their flyweight title fight at UFC 247 in February as Shevchenko made the third successful defense of the UFC women’s 125-pound belt. But her older sister was unable to repeat the feat, as Chookagian used her little-seen grappling skills to dominate Antonina sister en route to a landslide decision victory.
Despite seeing Antonina fall to her second defeat in four UFC appearances, Valentina heaped praise on her sister as she shared her admiration for her sibling on Twitter.
No matter what, I will always love you my dear sister! You are my inspiration, my support and the dearest person in whole world! I feel so bad I couldn’t be at your corner this time because of my injury. But I am always by your side.
Valentina Shevchenko praises 'my inspiration' Antonina after sister's defeat at UFC on ESPN 9
