Antonina Shevchenko Hangs Up the Gloves, Soars to New Heights as Pilot

In a surprising turn of events, UFC veteran Antonina Shevchenko has officially announced her retirement from mixed martial arts. The 40-year-old fighter, sister of reigning UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, last competed in the octagon in July 2022. However, her recent career pivot has taken her from throwing punches to piloting planes, marking a dramatic shift in her professional life.

From Octagon to Cockpit: A Fighter’s Unexpected Journey

Shevchenko made the announcement via social media, bringing an end to a storied career that spanned multiple combat sports disciplines. “Dear friends! 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,” Shevchenko wrote in her heartfelt message to fans.

Antonina Shevchenko has announced her retirement from fighting.

She last fought in the UFC back in 2022 but more recently she’s actually been working as a pilot flying planes #UFC pic.twitter.com/PkwL9G8om7

— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) March 27, 2025

The Kyrgyzstan-born fighter leaves behind an impressive legacy in combat sports. With a black belt in Taekwondo and 11 world champion titles across Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and MMA, Shevchenko’s martial arts journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Her professional MMA record stands at 10 wins and 4 losses, with half of those fights taking place in the UFC.

Trading Takedowns for Takeoffs: Shevchenko’s New Sky-High Career

While many fighters struggle to find their footing after leaving the sport, Shevchenko seems to have found her calling in the aviation industry. “It’s time to be focused on the next page – my career as a pilot,” she stated in her retirement announcement. This unexpected career change has captivated both fans and fellow fighters alike, showcasing the diverse paths available to athletes post-competition.

Shevchenko’s transition from fighter to pilot is a testament to her versatility and determination. “My heart and my head are completely filled with airplanes and sky, and it’s hard to express how happy I am that aviation has come into my life!” she exclaimed, highlighting her passion for her new profession.

The move to aviation isn’t entirely out of left field for Shevchenko. Her academic background includes a degree from the Kyrgyzstan National Institute of Arts as a camera operator for films and TV, demonstrating her interest in technical and visual fields beyond fighting.

Shevchenko’s UFC career, while not as decorated as her sister’s, had its share of memorable moments. She earned two performance bonuses during her time with the promotion, including a Fight of the Night award for her bout against Lucie Pudilová in 2019. Her final UFC appearance resulted in a split decision victory over Cortney Casey, allowing her to leave the sport on a high note.

The MMA community has responded to Shevchenko’s retirement with an outpouring of support and well-wishes. Her decision to pursue a career as a pilot has been met with admiration, with many praising her courage to embark on a new challenge at this stage in her life.

Shevchenko’s retirement also marks the end of an era for one of MMA’s most prominent fighting families. While Valentina continues to dominate the flyweight division, Antonina’s departure from active competition closes a chapter on the Shevchenko sisters’ concurrent UFC careers.

As Antonina Shevchenko trades in her fight shorts for a pilot’s uniform, she leaves behind a legacy of perseverance, skill, and adaptability. Her journey from the martial arts mats to the cockpit serves as an inspiration to fighters and fans alike, proving that there is indeed life after fighting – and sometimes, it involves soaring to new heights, both figuratively and literally.

The MMA world will undoubtedly miss Antonina Shevchenko’s presence in the octagon, but her new adventure in the skies promises to be just as thrilling. As she embarks on this new chapter, the fighting community watches with interest, supporting her as she navigates this exciting career transition. From takedowns to takeoffs, Antonina Shevchenko continues to demonstrate the heart of a true fighter, facing new challenges head-on and with unwavering determination.