Antonina Shevchenko thinks her sister Valentina Shevchenko was robbed against Alexa Grasso.
Flyweight champion Grasso (16-3-1 MMA, 8-3-1 UFC) and challenger Shevchenko (23-4-1 MMA, 12-3-1 UFC) battled to a split draw this past Saturday in the main event of Noche UFC at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Grasso and Shevchenko were each awarded a 48-47 scorecard in their favor, with judge Mike Bell scoring the fight a draw after giving Grasso a 10-8 in Round 5. As a result, Grasso retained her belt, but Shevchenko’s sister Antonina is outraged with the scorecards.
“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!
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.
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! I love you ♥️
And let’s go into the next one! 💪💪
#UFC #FightNight.”
With the controversial outcome, both Grasso and Shevchenko appeared open to a trilogy bout if that’s what the UFC wants next.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Noche UFC.
