Career Timeline of Valentina Shevchenko: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Valentina Shevchenko built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Valentina Shevchenko, born March 7, 1988, is a Kyrgyz professional mixed martial artist, Muay Thai fighter, and kickboxer, holding championships in all three disciplines. She competes in the UFC's women's Flyweight division, where she is a two-time and current champion and the first Kyrgyz fighter to win a UFC title. Ranked #1 in the UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings as of September 17, 2024, Shevchenko is considered one of the greatest female mixed martial artists in history.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2000: Started Kickboxing Career and Earned "Bullet" Moniker

In 2000, at the age of 12, Valentina Shevchenko began her kickboxing career and knocked out a 22-year-old opponent. This achievement earned her the nickname "Bullet" from her trainer, Pavel Fedotov, due to her speed in the ring.

April 21, 2003: Professional MMA Debut

On April 21, 2003, at the age of 15, Valentina Shevchenko made her professional debut in mixed martial arts. She fought against Eliza Aidaralieva at Kyrgiz Federation of Kulatuu and won the fight via TKO in the second round.

2003: Won Gold Medal at IFMA World Championship

In 2003, Valentina Shevchenko won a gold medal at the IFMA World Championships.

2006: Won Gold Medal at IFMA World Championship

In 2006, Valentina Shevchenko won a gold medal at the IFMA World Championships.

2006: Hiatus from MMA to Focus on Muay Thai and Kickboxing

In 2006, after remaining undefeated in her first 7 MMA fights, Valentina Shevchenko decided to take a hiatus from MMA to focus on her Muay Thai and kickboxing career.

2007: Won Gold Medal at IFMA World Championship

In 2007, Valentina Shevchenko won a gold medal at the IFMA World Championships.

2008: Won Gold Medal at IFMA World Championship and First Kickboxing Loss

In 2008, Valentina Shevchenko won a gold medal at the IFMA World Championships. In 2008, she also suffered her first loss in kickboxing when she fought Debby Urkens.

2009: Won Gold Medal at IFMA World Championship

In 2009, Valentina Shevchenko won a gold medal at the IFMA World Championships.

May 8, 2010: Professional Boxing Debut

On May 8, 2010, Valentina Shevchenko made her professional boxing debut against Halanna dos Santos in Callao, Peru. She won the fight by unanimous decision, utilizing a kickboxing stance and Muay Thai techniques, despite complaints from her opponent.

September 30, 2010: US Debut and First Loss

On September 30, 2010, Valentina Shevchenko made her US debut against Liz Carmouche at C3 Fights in Concho, Oklahoma. She suffered her first loss due to a controversial doctor stoppage caused by an illegal upkick.

2010: First Bout Against Carmouche

In 2010, Valentina Shevchenko and Liz Carmouche previously met. Carmouche won the bout after the doctor stopped the fight due to a large cut stemming from an upkick.

2010: Won Gold Medal at IFMA World Championship

In 2010, Valentina Shevchenko won a gold medal at the IFMA World Championships.

December 17, 2011: Fight against Nerys Rincon

On December 17, 2011, Shevchenko fought Nerys Rincon in Lima, Peru, winning by TKO in the fourth round. She used a kickboxing stance and Muay Thai grappling, which Rincon protested unsuccessfully.

January 14, 2012: Withdrawal from WIBA Championship Match

On January 14, 2012, it was announced that Shevchenko was scheduled to face Mary McGee for the vacant WIBA Lightweight championship title in Lima, Peru. However, Shevchenko withdrew from the match later that month for an undisclosed reason.

2012: Won Gold Medal at IFMA World Championship

In 2012, Valentina Shevchenko won a gold medal at the IFMA World Championships.

2013: Appearance on Combate

In 2013, Shevchenko participated in the fourth season of the Peruvian dance and competition reality show Combate. She won the competition alongside her dance partner, Alejandro “Zumba” Benitez. She also won an exhibition wrestling match against David Zegarra by submission.

2013: Return to MMA under Fusion FC

In 2013, Valentina Shevchenko returned to active competition under the South American MMA promotion Fusion FC, earning two TKO wins within two months.

2014: Won Gold Medal at IFMA World Championship

In 2014, Valentina Shevchenko won a gold medal at the IFMA World Championships.

2014: Signed with Legacy FC

In 2014, it was announced that Valentina Shevchenko had signed with Legacy FC for both MMA and kickboxing.

2014: Muaythai Spirit of Sport Award

In 2014, the "Sport is Your Gang" initiative that Shevchenko was an ambassador for in Peru, won the Muaythai Spirit of Sport Award.

February 27, 2015: Won Against Jan Finney at Legacy Fighting Championship 39

On February 27, 2015, Valentina Shevchenko faced Jan Finney at Legacy Fighting Championship 39 and won the fight via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, and 30–27).

2015: Elected into IFMA executive board

In 2015, Shevchenko was elected into the IFMA executive board as a representative of the organization's athletic commission. She was also an ambassador for IFMA's "Sport is Your Gang" initiative in Peru.

2015: Won IMFA Royal World Cup and Suffered Second Kickboxing Loss

In 2015, Valentina Shevchenko won the IMFA Royal World Cup. However, in 2015, she also experienced her second loss in kickboxing against Cong Wang.

March 5, 2016: Fought Amanda Nunes at UFC 196

On March 5, 2016, Valentina Shevchenko faced Amanda Nunes at UFC 196 and lost the fight by unanimous decision (29–28, 29–27, and 29–27).

July 23, 2016: Defeated Holly Holm at UFC on Fox

On July 23, 2016, Valentina Shevchenko faced Holly Holm at UFC on Fox: Holm vs. Shevchenko and won by unanimous decision (49–46, 49–46, and 49–46).

January 28, 2017: Defeated Julianna Peña at UFC on Fox

On January 28, 2017, Valentina Shevchenko faced Julianna Peña at UFC on Fox: Shevchenko vs. Peña and won the fight by armbar submission in the second round, also earning her first Performance of the Night bonus.

July 8, 2017: Amanda Nunes Pulled Out of UFC 213

On July 8, 2017, Valentina Shevchenko was scheduled to rematch Amanda Nunes at UFC 213, but Nunes fell ill and pulled out of the fight on the day of the event.

September 9, 2017: Lost to Amanda Nunes at UFC 215

On September 9, 2017, Valentina Shevchenko faced Amanda Nunes in a rematch at UFC 215 and lost the fight via split decision. The decision was controversial with varied media scores.

September 2017: Announced Plans to Join Flyweight Division

In September 2017, Valentina Shevchenko revealed her plans to join the 125-pound flyweight division.

2017: Interview on Fighting Styles

In 2017, Shevchenko discussed the challenges of perfecting her counter-striking technique in mixed martial arts, noting the difference in gauging distance between wrestlers and stand-up fighters.

February 3, 2018: Defeated Priscila Cachoeira at UFC Fight Night 125

On February 3, 2018, Valentina Shevchenko faced Priscila Cachoeira at UFC Fight Night 125 and won the fight via rear-naked choke in the second round, also earning a Performance of the Night bonus.

September 8, 2018: Fight Against Nicco Montaño Canceled

On September 8, 2018, Valentina Shevchenko was scheduled to face Nicco Montaño at UFC 228, but the bout was canceled after Montano was hospitalized due to weight cutting issues. Montano was stripped of the Women's Flyweight title.

September 20, 2018: Scheduled to Fight Joanna Jędrzejczyk at UFC 231

On September 20, 2018, it was announced that Valentina Shevchenko would face Joanna Jędrzejczyk at UFC 231 for the vacant UFC Women's Flyweight Championship.

December 8, 2018: Won the UFC Women's Flyweight Championship

On December 8, 2018, Valentina Shevchenko defeated Joanna Jędrzejczyk by unanimous decision (49–46, 49–46, and 49–46) at UFC 231 to become the new UFC Women's Flyweight Champion.

June 8, 2019: Defended UFC Flyweight Title Against Jessica Eye

On June 8, 2019, Valentina Shevchenko faced Jessica Eye at UFC 238 and successfully defended her UFC Flyweight Title via a head kick knockout in the second round. She also earned the Performance of the Night award.

August 10, 2019: Defended Title Against Liz Carmouche

On August 10, 2019, Valentina Shevchenko faced Liz Carmouche at UFC Fight Night 156. Shevchenko won the rematch via unanimous decision (50–45, 50–45, and 50–45).

February 8, 2020: Defended Flyweight Title Against Katlyn Chookagian

On February 8, 2020, Valentina Shevchenko defended her Flyweight title for the third time against Katlyn Chookagian at UFC 247. She won the fight via TKO in the third round.

June 6, 2020: Pulled Out of Fight Against Joanne Calderwood

On June 6, 2020, Valentina Shevchenko was scheduled to face Joanne Calderwood at UFC 250. However, Shevchenko pulled out of the fight citing a leg injury.

November 21, 2020: Defended Title Against Jennifer Maia

On November 21, 2020, Valentina Shevchenko defended her title for the fourth time against Jennifer Maia at UFC 255. She won the fight via unanimous decision (49–46, 49–46, and 49–46).

2020: Appearance in 'Bruised'

In 2020, Shevchenko appeared in the Netflix sports drama 'Bruised,' directed by and starring Halle Berry. She played Lucia "Lady Killer" Chavez, an Argentinian MMA champion.

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April 24, 2021: Defended Title Against Jéssica Andrade

On April 24, 2021, Valentina Shevchenko faced Jéssica Andrade at UFC 261 and defended her title, winning via TKO in round two after dominating most of the bout.

September 25, 2021: Defended Title Against Lauren Murphy

On September 25, 2021, Valentina Shevchenko faced Lauren Murphy at UFC 266. She won the fight via technical knockout in round four, defending her title for the sixth time.

December 2021: Featured on Women's Health Cover

In December 2021, Shevchenko and Halle Berry were featured on the digital cover of Women's Health magazine.

June 12, 2022: Won Against Taila Santos at UFC 275

On June 12, 2022, Valentina Shevchenko faced Taila Santos at UFC 275 and won the close bout via split decision (49–46, 48–47, and 47–48). This fight earned her the Crypto.com "Fan Bonus of the Night" awards paid in bitcoin of US$30,000 for first place.

March 4, 2023: Lost Title to Alexa Grasso at UFC 285

On March 4, 2023, Valentina Shevchenko faced Alexa Grasso at UFC 285. She lost the bout and title via a face crank in the fourth round, marking her first loss at Flyweight, first non-decision loss in the UFC, and first submission loss in her MMA career.

September 16, 2023: Rematch Against Alexa Grasso Ends in Split Draw

On September 16, 2023, Valentina Shevchenko faced Alexa Grasso in a rematch for the UFC Women's Flyweight Championship at UFC Fight Night 227. The match ended in a split draw, with a controversial decision by one of the judges.

February 9, 2024: Coaching The Ultimate Fighter 32

On February 9, 2024, it was announced that Valentina Shevchenko and Alexa Grasso would be the coaches for The Ultimate Fighter 32 on ESPN+, featuring contestants from the middleweight and featherweight divisions.

September 14, 2024: Won against Alexa Grasso for 2-time UFC Women's Flyweight Champion

On September 14, 2024, Valentina Shevchenko faced Alexa Grasso for the third time at UFC 306. With nearly 15 minutes of control time, she won by dominant unanimous decision, becoming the only 2-time UFC Women's Flyweight Champion in the process.

September 17, 2024: Ranked #1 in UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings

As of September 17, 2024, Valentina Shevchenko is ranked #1 in the UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings, cementing her status as one of the greatest female mixed martial artists of all time.