Valentina Shevchenko

Valentina Anatolyevna Shevchenko, known as "Bullet," is a Kyrgyzstani mixed martial artist who competes in the Women's Flyweight division of the UFC.

Born in Frunze (now Bishkek), Kyrgyzstan, Shevchenko began training in Taekwondo at age five, encouraged by her mother, Elena, a Muay Thai champion who later became president of Kyrgyzstan's national Muay Thai federation. Valentina and her older sister, Antonina Shevchenko, also a UFC fighter, trained together from a young age and went on to represent both Kyrgyzstan and Peru internationally. Shevchenko has spent much of her career working with longtime coach Pavel Fedotov out of the Tiger Muay Thai camp.

Before dedicating herself fully to mixed martial arts, Shevchenko compiled one of the most decorated amateur striking résumés in combat sports, winning multiple IFMA World Muay Thai Championship gold medals and the IFMA Royal World Cup. She also holds a black belt and Master of Sports rank in Judo, along with a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo, giving her a well-rounded grappling base to complement her striking pedigree.

Inside the cage, Shevchenko is known for precise counter-striking, sharp distance management, and a varied kicking arsenal that includes spinning and wheel kicks, paired with underrated judo-based takedowns and clinch work. Patient and technical, she is capable of finishing fights on the feet or on the ground and is known for neutralizing aggressive strikers by controlling range.

Shevchenko has held the UFC Women's Flyweight Championship across two separate reigns, first capturing the title from Joanna Jędrzejczyk at UFC 231, and later reclaiming it in a rematch with Alexa Grasso. Her first title reign included a lengthy run of successful defenses, and her championship-fight opposition has included a win over former UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili

Stats last updated: September 16, 2026