“The Happy Warrior” was one of the biggest underdogs on Saturday’s UFC St. Petersburg main card, but she beat the odds with a grappling heavy split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) win over previously unbeaten flyweight Antonina Shevchenko (7-1).
Modafferi’s game plan was clear as she used her trademark unorthodox movement to avoid the worst of Shevchenko’s skillful strikes and close the distance. Once Modafferi was able to get past the edge of Shevchenko’s strikes, she pressured with punches of her own and put Shevchenko against the fence before scoring a pair of takedowns. Shevchenko defended well off of her back, but Modafferi closed the round in mount position.