)
Valentina Shevchenko is a professional mixed martial artist who was previously a Muay Thai fighter. Here is all you need to know about one of the best MMA fighters, including her record and networth.
Valentina Shevchenko Profile
)
Full name: Valentina Anatolievna Shevchenko
Date of birth: March 7, 1988
Age: 36 years of age (as of June 2024)
Place of birth: Frunze, Kirghiz SSR, Soviet Union
Nationality: Kyrgyzstani, Peruvian, Russian
Ethnicity: Mixed
Height: 5 feet 5 inches or 165 centimetres
Weight: 125 pounds or 57 kilograms
Relationship status: Single
Parents: Anatoly and Elena
Siblings: Antonina
Education: National Academy of Arts of the Kyrgyz Republic
Occupation: Professional mixed martial artist and former Muay Thai fighter
Division: Bantamweight, Flyweight, Lightweight
Active years: 2003 - present
Net worth: $5 million
Where is Valentina Shevchenko from?
)
Valentina Shevchenko's background is a fascinating one. She was born in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (formerly Frunze), in March 1988, which was then part of the Soviet Union. Her family has a rich military history, with both parents coming from Russian and Ukrainian backgrounds. Despite her birthplace and Kyrgyzstani citizenship, Shevchenko has identified as Russian in interviews conducted in Russian, and Russian is her native language. However, Shevchenko also has Peruvian citizenship.
So, how we define where the MMA fighter is from depends on the perspective. Officially, she's Kyrgyzstani and has Peruvian citizenship, while ethnically, she has Russian and Ukrainian roots.
How is Valentina Shevchenko Peruvian?
)
Valentina Shevchenko has a strong connection to Peru, even though she was not born there.
In 2007, Shevchenko moved to Peru with her trainer and sister to train and teach MMA. She became a Peruvian citizen in 2008 and spent eight years in the country, embracing the culture. Shevchenko speaks fluent Spanish due to her time in Peru and Latin America, and she often carries the Peruvian flag and expresses appreciation for Latin America.
While her birthplace is Kyrgyzstan, Peru holds a special place for Shevchenko. It's where she honed her skills and became part of the local MMA scene.
Valentina Shevchenko career
)
Valentina Shevchenko, nicknamed "Bullet" by her trainer Pavel Fedotov for her speed in the ring, knocked out a 22-year-old opponent when she was 12.
However, Shevchenko did not start off her fighting career in mixed martial arts, as she was a decorated Muay Thai champion before transitioning. She holds multiple Muay Thai world titles, with her striking prowess helping her successfully move to MMA, where she quickly amassed a dominant record.
In 2015, Shevchenko entered the UFC, the world's premier MMA organisation. Initially competing at bantamweight, she fell short of capturing the title. However, her talent was undeniable. She later moved down to flyweight, a weight class better suited to her frame.
In 2018, Shevchenko claimed the vacant UFC flyweight championship. Since then, she has defended her title an impressive six times, establishing herself as the dominant champion in the division. Her technical striking and well-rounded fighting style make her a nightmare for opponents. She consistently ranks among the top female pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC.
Valentina Shevchenko record
)
Shevchenko amassed an impressive record across various striking disciplines before transitioning to MMA. In amateur and professional K-1, Muay Thai, and kickboxing bouts, she racked up over 90 victories. Her kickboxing record stands at a remarkable 57 wins (four by KO) with just two losses.
While not her primary focus, Shevchenko also boasts an undefeated record in professional boxing, with two wins, one by knockout.
Since entering the world of MMA, Shevchenko has solidified herself as a dominant force. Her current record stands at 23 wins (eight by KO, seven by submission, eight by decision) with four losses (one by KO, one by submission, two by decision, one draw).
Is Valentina Shevchenko married?
No, Shevchenko does not have a husband. The MMA fighter has been rumoured to be married to her coach, Pavel Fedotov, in the past. However, this has been debunked by several sources, who state that Fedotov is instead married to her sister Antonina Shevchenko.
Valentina Shevchenko trainer
Pavel Fedotov is Valentina Shevchenko's long-time trainer. He has been a pivotal figure in her martial arts journey since she was a young child. Fedotov has trained both Valentina and her sister Antonina for nearly two decades, travelling with them from Kyrgyzstan to Peru where they have established their professional careers.
Valentina Shevchenko sister
The fighting spirit runs in the Shevchenko family, as Valentina’s older sister, Antonina Shevchenko, is also a formidable fighter in the world of martial arts.
Born a few years before Valentina in 1984, Antonina followed a similar path. Both sisters trained in Muay Thai under their mother, a Muay Thai champion herself, and developed their skills in Kyrgyzstan and Peru.
Just like Valentina, Antonina is a decorated Muay Thai fighter and a mixed martial artist. While not achieving the same level of dominance as her younger sister, she holds a respectable professional MMA record.
Antonina also competes in the UFC flyweight division. She even made history with her sister by becoming the first sibling duo to fight on the same UFC card (UFC 255).
What is Valentina Shevchenko net worth?
)
Valentina Shevchenko's net worth is estimated to be around $5 million. This impressive figure combines her earnings inside the octagon, including fight purses and bonuses, with income from endorsements. She also attracted deals with brands like GuardLab and Smith & Wesson.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)