Valentina Anatolievna Shevchenko is a Kyrgyzstani-Peruvian professional mixed martial artist and former Muay Thai fighter born in Frunze, Kirghizia, USSR on March 7, 1988, to a Ukrainian family.
She currently competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where she is the current Women’s Flyweight Champion.
She is currently ranked #2 in UFC women’s pound-for-pound rankings.
After becoming interested in combat sports at an early age, Valentina began Taekwondo at age 5, under the influence of her older sister Antonina and her mother, who both participated in the sport.
At age 12 she branched out into Muay Thai kickboxing and then freestyle Vale Tudo.
Her kickboxing career began in 2000 when, also at age 12, she knocked out a 22-year-old opponent, earning her the moniker “Bullet” from her trainer Pavel Fedotov because of her speed in the ring.
She traveled to Peru with Fedotov and Antonina in 2007, where they became martial arts teachers, and Fedotov eventually relocated his team there permanently.
She gained Peruvian citizenship in 2008 and is fluent in Russian, English, and Spanish.
Valentina currently has a professional MMA record of 21 wins and 3 losses, along with a Boxing Record of 2 wins, 0 losses, and a kickboxing record of 57 wins and 2 losses.
UFC Profile – Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko’s Championship Run
- Valentina Shevchenko vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk
On September 20, 2018, it was announced that Shevchenko would face Joanna Jędrzejczyk, who was returning to Flyweight, on December 8, 2018, at UFC 231 for the vacant UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship.
The fight switched to have Shevchenko fight Sijara Eubanks as the replacement main event for UFC 230.
After the UFC announced a Heavyweight Championship bout between Daniel Cormier and Derrick Lewis to serve as the main event of UFC 230. UFC confirmed that Shevchenko would return to her original bout at UFC 231 against Jędrzejczyk.
Shevchenko defeated Jędrzejczyk by unanimous decision to become the new UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion.
Her First 3 Defenses:
- Valentina Shevchenko vs. Jessica Eye
In the first defense, Shevchenko faced Jessica Eye in the co-main event at UFC 238 on June 8, 2019.
She successfully defended her title, winning via a head kick knockout in the second round.
This win earned her the Performance of the Night award.
- Valentina Shevcheno vs. Liz Carmouche
Shevchenko faced Liz Carmouche on August 10, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 14.
The pairing met previously under a regional promotion banner in 2010 with Carmouche winning the bout in the second round after the doctor stopped the bout due to a large cut stemming from an up-kick.
Shevchenko won the rematch via unanimous decision.
Her 3 most recent Title Defenses:
Shevchenko defended her Flyweight title for the third time against Katlyn Chookagian on February 8, 2020, at UFC 247.
She won the fight via TKO in the third round.
- Valentina Shevchenko vs. Jennifer Maia
In the fourth defense of her title, Shevchenko faced Jennifer Maia on November 21, 2020, at UFC 255.
She won the fight via unanimous decision.
- Valentina Shevchenko vs. Jéssica Andrade
In her fifth title defense, Shevchenko faced Jéssica Andrade on April 24, 2021, at UFC 261.
She dominated the bout and finished Andrade in the second round via elbows from the crucifix position.
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