‘I Am Leaving My Gloves In This Post' UFC Veteran Announces Retirement
LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 14: Dana White meets with the press following Vegas 67 at UFC Apex for UFC ... More Fight Night - Vegas 67 - Strickland vs Imavov - Event on January 14, 2023 in Las Vegas, NV, United States. (Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The UFC made three fairly noteworthy roster cuts this week, and one of them was the release of Antonina Shevchenko, the sister of reigning UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko.
On Thursday, Antonina, 40, the oldest of the two Shevchenko sisters, announced her retirement from mixed martial arts on her Instagram page. Her message was lengthy and heartfelt, which displays why she was a fan favorite during her eight fights in the UFC.
NEWARK, NJ - AUGUST 03: Antonina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan poses for a portrait backstage during the ... More UFC Fight Night event at the Prudential Center on August 3, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
'Dear friends,' Shevchenko wrote. "I didn't have the opportunity to leave my gloves in the octagon by tradition, I didn't think my fight in UFC in 2022 would be the last.
'I am leaving my gloves' in this post."
At the end of Shevchenko's post, she shouted out Valentina and invited fans to cheer her on as she continues her career in the UFC.
'And of course, thanks to the fans who cheered up and supported! We will cheer together for my sister now! @bulletvalentina.'
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - APRIL 24: (L-R) Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan poses with her sister ... More Antonina Shevchenko for a post fight portrait backstage during the UFC 261 event at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena on April 24, 2021 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC)
Shevchenko's decision comes as no surprise as she hasn't fought in nearly three years. Shevchenko also recently had a son and has taken up a career as a pilot, according to her Instagram page.
It appears Shevchenko and the promotion have parted on good terms, and Valentina–someone UFC CEO Dana White has always spoken glowingly about–is set to defend her title against Manon Fiorot on May 10 at UFC 315.
Antonina's last fight was a unanimous decision win over Cortney Casey in July 2022. The victory snapped a two-fight losing streak and, as it turns out, was likely the best possible retirement bout for her.
While Antonina's career never reached the heights of her younger sister's, the former's 10-4 career mark is above average. She owns wins over Ji Yeon Kim, Lucie Pudilova, Ariane Lipski da Silva and Casey.
Here is a breakdown of Shevchenko's MMA career record.
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