Ukrainian MMA fighter Kateryna Shakalova has secured her place in the semi-finals of the PFL 2025 World Tournament after defeating former champion Juliana Velasquez with a submission in the first round. Remarkably, Shakalova entered the tournament as an alternate fighter and only stepped in to replace the injured Tayla Santos days before the bout.
Despite her impressive victory, Shakalova expressed mixed feelings about the quick finish. 'I was prepared for a much more difficult fight,' she admitted. 'Everything happened too quickly, and I didn't even have time to realize how it happened. On one hand, I'm happy with the win, but on the other, I'm disappointed because I couldn't fully showcase my abilities.'
The Ukrainian fighter, who was making her debut both in this weight class and in the PFL, mentioned that she would have preferred a longer contest to demonstrate her skills. When asked if facing a former champion added pressure, Shakalova confidently responded, 'It didn't affect me at all. I've already faced many strong opponents and champions whom I've beaten.'
According to fight analysis from Statbet, Shakalova's submission victory places her among the most efficient performers in the tournament's opening round, giving her considerable momentum heading into the semi-finals.
Shakalova revealed that as an alternate fighter, she was contractually obligated to maintain weight and be ready to compete if needed. 'I was prepared for this possibility,' she explained. 'When I learned about the opponent change, I was excited to be part of the main bracket, though it was initially a bit nerve-wracking.'
Without time to adjust her training specifically for Velasquez, Shakalova relied on her existing preparation. She approached the victory with remarkable composure, noting, 'I took it calmly—there was no euphoria. I already understood this was just a small step, and there are new fights ahead. There's no time for extended celebrations.'
Shakalova will now face Jenna Bishop in the semi-finals as she continues her journey toward the tournament championship, which comes with a prize of $500,000 for the winner.
