Antonina Shevchenko, a seasoned UFC fighter and sister of flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, announced her retirement from the sport after a 30-year career to focus on her new passion for aviation and raising her son, whom she hopes will follow in her footsteps in combat sports and flying.
Antonina Shevchenko, a seasoned warrior with eight battles inside the octagon, has decided to hang up her gloves. The sister of UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko announced her retirement on Thursday.
In September 2024, Shevchenko welcomed her son into the world. Her last UFC bout was in July 2022, where she edged out Cortney Casey in a split decision victory.
“I didn’t get the chance to leave my gloves in the octagon as tradition,” Shevchenko shared. “I had no idea my 2022 fight would be my last. So here I am, leaving them in this post.” She reminisced about her illustrious career: 30 years in sport, a black belt 3rd dan in Taekwondo, and 11 world champion titles across muay Thai, kickboxing, and MMA.
With over 400 fights under her belt—both amateur and professional—Shevchenko’s journey through Asia and South America culminated in the UFC. She joined via Dana White’s Contender Series in 2018, securing wins against Lucie Pudilova and Ariane da Silva but falling short against Roxanne Modafferi, Katlyn Cerminara, Andrea Lee, and Casey O’Neill.
“Martial arts will always be a part of me,” she mused. “But now it’s time to turn the page—to my career as a pilot. My heart soars with joy at the thought of aviation!”
The life of a professional fighter is thrilling: hard work, victories, travels. Finding another path that’s equally intense? Tough. But for Shevchenko, aviation fills that void perfectly.
Boasting an MMA record of 10-4, she dreams of her son following her footsteps into combat sports. “It’s my turn to do the hard work for my son,” she declared. “I’ll do everything to make him both a fighter and a pilot!”
She expressed gratitude to the UFC, Dana White, and Mick Maynard for being part of history. “Thanks for some of the toughest fights and those performance bonuses,” she added. They helped fund her pilot training and allowed her to purchase her beloved Skyhawk.
To her friends and fans who cheered her on: “Thank you! Now let’s cheer for my sister!”