UFC: Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale - Predictions and Picks

#6 Antonina Shevchenko vs. Ji Yeon Kim

Antonina Shevchenko is looking to emulate sister Valentina's success in the UFC

Next weekend, Valentina Shevchenko faces Joanna Jedrzejczyk to crown a new champion in the Women’s Flyweight division, but this weekend it’s the turn of her older sister Antonina. Originally pegged to face top ten ranked Ashlee Evans-Smith, she’s now got her hands full with Kim, who has already reeled off two wins in the Octagon in the burgeoning division.

Judging on what we’ve seen of her, Shevchenko isn’t as well developed as her sister on the ground, but standing she’s not far off being as dangerous as ‘Bullet’. She’s taller and longer than Valentina, and has shown the ability to use that reach to good effect, most notably to abuse opponent Jaimee Niviera both at range and in the clinch during their fight on Dana White’s Contender Series.

Kim appears to want to be a classic power striker, but unfortunately for her, based on her UFC outings thus far she simply doesn’t hit that hard and she’s liable to take punishment herself because of this. That style largely explains why she’s already ended up with two split decision wins in the Octagon.

I expect this fight to remain standing for the majority of the time; Kim is probably more likely to attempt to take it to the ground, but Shevchenko has enough of a grappling game to fend her off, and on the feet I give the advantage to ‘Pantera’, as she appears to be more of an accurate striker and will likely be able to avoid Kim’s power shots and take full advantage.

The Pick: Shevchenko via unanimous decision