Who is Antonina Shevchenko's coach, Pavel Fedotov?
Pavel Fedotov is the coach and mentor of Antonina Shevchenko and former UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko.
Pavel Fedotov has been monumental in the lives of the Shevchenko sisters. He has traveled with them for the last two decades. He also moved with them from Kyrgyzstan to Peru, where the two sisters competed. Fedotov is always seen in the backdrop whenever 'Bullet' or 'La Pantera' compete in the octagon. He also served in the Soviet armed forces before taking up martial arts.
With #UFC247 taking place in Texas, I gotta imagine that Pavel Fedotov – Valentina Shevchenko’s coach – will be strapped in the corner tonight. https://t.co/ONyYzEV4vA
While speaking to UFC.com, Fedotov recalled when a young Valentina Shevchenko walked through the doors of his gym over 20 years ago. He revealed that he saw championship potential in 'Bullet' and her sister Antonina from the beginning. Explaining Valentina Shevchenko's toughness even as a kid, Pavel Fedotov stated:
“Valentina was a brave little girl. She could fight without fear with girls and boys who were heavier and more experienced. Sometimes, a strong punch could stop her. But she would stand up and start to fight again. Sometimes, she was crying, but still fighting again and again with the same intensity."
Fedotov is also known for switching gyms so that his fighters get more exposure. He's often seen training the Shevchenko sisters at Gracie Barra in Houston, Texas, and Tiger Muay Thai in Thailand. Speaking about the idea behind switching gyms, the coach said:
“Every gym is another world. Another atmosphere, another technique, more sparring partners, more experience. When a student is just starting their way, it’s better to stay in one gym and hear one coach. But when a fighter reaches a certain level, better for them to travel and try different gyms with many different partners to sharpen their skills constantly.”
Fedotov has done a tremendous job with Valentina Shevchenko. The Kyrgyzstani fighter went on a nine-fight winning streak in the UFC which included seven consecutive defenses of the flyweight title. She lost the title to Mexican fighter Alexa Grasso at the UFC 285 PPV event in March 2023.
Meanwhile, Antonina Shevchenko has not competed since July 2022 when she defeated Courtney Casey via split decision. The win snapped her two-fight losing skid.
🇦🇺 @KingCaseyMMA improves her perfect record to 8-0.
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Pavel Fedotov was shot in a violent robbery; Valentina Shevchenko was caught in the crossfire too
In 2016, Pavel Fedotov and Valentina Shevchenko found themselves in the middle of an armed robbery in a restaurant in Lima, Peru. The incident took place before Shevchenko was scheduled to fight Holly Holm at UFC on Fox: Holm vs. Shevchenko.
The pair were at a chicken restaurant in the Chorrilos district of Lima when three armed robbers entered the restaurant. Fedotov, who possessed a firearm, fired shots at the robbers while they were fleeing. This started an all-out shootout at the restaurant.
The violent endeavor resulted in Pavel Fedotov getting shot in the stomach. The shootout was recorded by security cameras inside the restaurant.
Watch Valentina Shevchenko and Pavel Fedotov talk about the robbery:
Watch the shootout below:
Valentina Shevchenko is set to make a comeback against Alexa Grasso in a title fight rematch on September 16, 2023. 'Bullet' will attempt to avenge the loss and reclaim her top spot.