Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Promising flyweight contender Antonina Shevchenko rebounded in a big way earlier today (Sat., Aug. 3, 2019) at UFC on ESPN 5 inside Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, when she finish hard-nosed counterpart Lucie Pudilova via second-round submission (rear-naked choke).
Shevchenko controlled most of the first round before Pudilova was able to separate in the clinch and land two heavy elbows that split the striker open. Shevchenko would return the favor towards the end of the frame by nearly snapping Pudilova’s arm off during a submission attempt off her back. Pudilova survived.
The second round saw Pudilova go back into the clinch in hopes of securing another takedown. Shevchenko was there to meet her with a great counter transition on the way to the ground and she was able to grab a hold of Pudilova’s neck. Shevchenko quickly flattened Pudilova out, really started to squeeze, and put the 25-year-old to sleep.
Check out Shevchenko’s memorable stoppage above and the brutal first-round elbows by Pudilova below, both courtesy of UFC/ESPN.
Huge elbows from Pudilova rock Shevchenko! #UFCNewark pic.twitter.com/x7DQV8IhpE
— UFC (@ufc) August 3, 2019
With this performance, Shevchenko gets back into the flyweight win column after dropping a split decision to Roxanne Modafferi last April. The sister of UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, Antonina is starting to show she has a well-rounded game outside of her elite kickboxing and Muay Thai skills. This was a big win and should line her up with another dangerous contender before the end of the year.
For complete UFC Newark results and coverage click here.