After 7 years of Taekwondo, Valentina Shevchenko became a star in Kickboxing and MMA
Valentina Anatolievna Shevchenko is a professional mixed martial artist and former Muay Thai fighter from Kyrgyzstan and Peru. She competes in the women's Flyweight division for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and is a former UFC Women's Flyweight Champion. As of March 7, 2023, she holds the #1 ranking in the women's flyweight division and is ranked #3 in the UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings as of August 22, 2023.
Born on March 7, 1988, in Frunze, Kirghiz SSR, Soviet Union, Valentina comes from a Russian-Ukrainian family with a military background. She considers herself Russian and her native language is Russian. Her mother, Elena Shevchenko, is the president of Kyrgyzstan's national Muay Thai association, while her father, Anatoly Shevchenko, served in the Soviet Navy during the Cold War and played for the Kyrgyzstan national football team.
Valentina's interest in combat sports began at a young age when she started practicing Taekwondo at 5 years old under the influence of her sister and mother, who were also involved in the sport. She later ventured into Muay Thai kickboxing and freestyle Vale Tudo. Her kickboxing career took off in 2000 when, at 12 years old, she knocked out a 22-year-old opponent, earning the nickname "Bullet" for her speed in the ring.
Shevchenko, along with her trainer and sister, moved to Peru in 2007 to become martial arts teachers. She obtained Peruvian citizenship in 2008 and is fluent in Russian, English, and Spanish. She holds an undergraduate degree in Film Directing from the National Academy of Arts of the Kyrgyz Republic and was honored with the title of an Honored Professor in December 2021.
In April 2019, Valentina received the Dank Order from the Kyrgyz President for her contributions to her profession, with the president praising her for defending the honor of Kyrgyzstan. Valentina and her sister Antonina made UFC history by becoming the first pair of sisters to feature on the same fight card at UFC 255.
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