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Valentina Shevchenko

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Valentina Shevchenko
BornValentina Anatolievna Shevchenko
(1988-03-07) March 7, 1988 (age 36)
Frunze, Kirghiz SSR, Soviet Union (today Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan)
Native nameВалентина Шевченко
Other namesBullet[1]
NationalityKyrgyz (former Soviet)
Height5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st)
DivisionBantamweight (MMA)

Flyweight (MMA)

Lightweight (Kickboxing)
Reach67.0 in (170 cm)
StyleMuay Thai, Kickboxing, Boxing, Taekwondo, Judo
StanceSouthpaw
TeamTiger Muay Thai[2]
Gracie Barra Texas [3]
TrainerPavel Fedotov
Rank2nd dan black belt in Taekwondo[4]
International Master of Sports in Muay Thai[4]
Master of Sports in Boxing[4]
Master of Sports in Kickboxing[4]
Master of Sports in Taekwondo[4]
Black belt[5] & Master of Sports in Judo[4]
Years active2000[6]–present
Professional boxing record
Total2
Wins2
Kickboxing record
Total58
Wins56
By knockout4
Losses2
Draws0
Mixed martial arts record
Total17
Wins14
By knockout4
By submission6
By decision4
Losses3
By knockout1
By decision2
Other information
UniversityUniversity of Arts Kyrgystan[4]
Notable relativesAntonina Shevchenko
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Valentina Shevchenko (Russian: Валентина Анатольевна Шевченко; born (1988-03-07)March 7, 1988) is a Kyrgyzstani-Peruvian mixed martial artist and former Muay Thai fighter who competes in the women's bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Early life

Valentina Shevchenko was born in Frunze, Kirghizia, USSR on March 7, 1988 into a Russian family, and became interested in combat sports at an early age. She began with taekwondo at age 5, under the influence of her mother who had practiced the sport and of her older sister Antonina.[7] At age 12 she branched out into Muay Thai kickboxing then free style Vale Tudo. Her kickboxing career began in Kyrgyzstan when 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.[6][8][9]

Muay Thai and kickboxing

From 2003 to 2015 Valentina Shevchenko collectively won more than 50 amateur/pro matches in K-1, Muay Thai, and kickboxing (five were won by technical knockout, three were won by knockout). She received her first and only loss in kickboxing when she fought Wang Cong (aka Cong Wang) in 2015.[10] Shevchenko won gold when she competed in the IFMA championships, she defeated Joanna Jędrzejczyk three times during these competitions. Shevchenko is considered to be one of the best female Muay Thai fighters in the world.[11][12]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Valentina Shevchenko has competed in mixed martial arts since 2003 compiling a record of 14-3.

Legacy Fighting Championship

In 2014 it was announced that Legacy FC had signed Shevchenko for MMA and kickboxing.[13] On February 27, 2015, Shevchenko faced Jan Finney at Legacy Fighting Championship 39, winning the fight via unanimous decision.[14]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Shevchenko made her UFC debut as a short-notice replacement for Germaine de Randamie against Sarah Kaufman at UFC on Fox 17.[15] She won the fight via split decision.[16][17]

In her second fight for the promotion, Shevchenko faced Amanda Nunes on March 5, 2016, at UFC 196. Although she made an impressive and strong performance in the third round, her slow start in the first two gave the rounds to Nunes. She lost the fight by unanimous decision.[18]

In her third fight for the promotion, Shevchenko faced former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Holly Holm at UFC on Fox: Holm vs. Shevchenko on July 23, 2016. After losing the first round to Holm, she rallied back to take over the fight and won a dominant unanimous decision.[19]

Shevchenko faced Julianna Peña in a possible title eliminator match in the main event at UFC on Fox: Shevchenko vs. Peña on January 28, 2017. She won the fight by armbar in the second round. The win also earned Shevchenko her first Performance of the Night bonus.[20]

UFC Bantamweight Title Fight

Shevchenko was expected to rematch the current bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes on July 8, 2017 at UFC 213, but on the day of the fight Nunes fell ill and pulled out of the fight. The doctors cleared Nunes to fight, but she didn't feel up to it, so the fight was called off.[21] Joanna Jędrzejczyk offered to replace Nunes, but the Nevada State Athletic Commission could not clear her on such a short notice.[22]

The rematch against Nunes was rescheduled to UFC 215 on September 9, 2017 in Edmonton, Alberta.[23] After a very close back-and-forth fight, Shevchenko lost the fight via split decision.[24] In the post-fight press conference, she voiced her disagreement with the judges' decision but also said she respected the outcome.[25]

Flyweight Division

Beginning September 2017, Shevchenko planned to drop 10 lbs down to 125 lbs for her next bout in the newly minted flyweight division.[26]

Fighting style

A decorated kickboxer, Shevchenko is primarily known for precise counter-striking.[27] She is recognized for an exceptional ability to gauge the distance of an opponent's attack, then retaliate with a variety of counterattacks.[27][28] In a 2017 interview, Shevchenko noted the challenges of perfecting this technique in mixed martial arts. "It's different to fight a wrestler and stand-up fighter. To feel the distance of her punch, it's different", she said.[29]

After dodging an opponent's strike, Shevchenko will often counter with a fast right hook, a spinning wheel kick, or a spinning back fist. On offense, she makes regular use of forward right hooks and two-punch combinations. She also utilizes an outside leg kick, regularly thrown at the end of a flurry, or in the early stages of a round.[27][28][30]

In addition to her striking, Shevchenko is trained in grappling and jiu-jitsu, as demonstrated by her multiple take-downs against Holly Holm, and her armbar submission of Julianna Pena.[20][31]

Championships and accomplishments

Kickboxing

Muay Thai

  • 2015 I.F.M.A. Royal World cup Tournament Championships Gold (60 kg)
  • 2014 I.F.M.A. Royal World cup Tournament Championships Gold (60 kg)
  • 2013 World Combat Games, Muay Thai Gold Medalist Gold (60 kg)
  • 2012 WMC Muaythai Female Super Lightweight World Champion[32]
  • 2012 I.F.M.A. Royal World cup Tournament Championships Gold (60 kg)
  • 2010 World Combat Games, Muay Thai Gold Medalist Gold (60 kg)
  • 2010 I.F.M.A. Royal World cup Tournament Championships Gold (63.5 kg)
  • 2009 I.F.M.A. Royal World cup Tournament Championships Gold (60 kg)
  • 2008 I.F.M.A. Royal World cup Tournament Championships Gold (57 kg)
  • 2007 I.F.M.A. Royal World cup Tournament Championships Gold (57 kg)
  • 2006 I.F.M.A. Royal World cup Tournament Championships Gold (57 kg)
  • 2003 I.F.M.A. Royal World cup Tournament Championships Gold (57 kg)

Mixed martial arts

Professional boxing record

Boxing record
No. Result Record Opponent Method Round Time Date Location Notes
Win 2–0 Peru Nerys Rincon TKO 4 N/A December 17, 2011 Peru Coliseo ReserClub de Pueblo Libre, Lima, Peru  
Win 1–0 Brazil Halanna Dos Santos UD 10 2:00 May 8, 2010 Peru Coliseo Marotta, Callao, Peru  

K-1, Kickboxing, and Muay Thai record (Incomplete)

K-1, Kickboxing, and Muay Thai record
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
2015-10-31 Loss China Wang Cong Kunlun Fight 33 Changde, China Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
Loses the Kunlun Fight Women's Lightweight Championship -60 kg.
2015-08-23 Win Belarus Mariya Valent I.F.M.A. Royal World cup Tournament 2015, Finals -60 kg Bangkok, Thailand N/A N/A N/A
Wins the I.F.M.A. Royal World cup Tournament Gold Medal -60 kg.
2015-08-20 Win Belgium Anke Van Gestel I.F.M.A. Royal World cup Tournament 2015, Semi Finals -60 kg Bangkok, Thailand TKO (Strikes) 1 N/A
2015-08-16 Win Israel Block Nili I.F.M.A. Royal World cup Tournament 2015, Quarter Finals -60 kg Bangkok, Thailand Decision 3 2:00
2015-08-14 Win Morocco Kaoutar Houkman I.F.M.A. Royal World cup Tournament 2015, Eighth Finals -60 kg Bangkok, Thailand Decision 3 2:00
2015-07-24 Win Belgium Anke Van Gestel Legacy Kickboxing 3 Texas, United States Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
2015-01-16 Win United States Lindsay Haycraft Legacy Kickboxing 1 Texas, United States Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
2014-10-05 Win France Chali Bassinah Kunlun Fight 11 Macau, China Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
Retains the Kunlun Fight Women's Lightweight Championship -60 kg.
2014-08-31 Win Russia Irina Mazepa Kunlun Fight 9 - 2014 Legend of Mulan Tournament, Final Shangqiu, China KO (High Kick) 1 N/A
Wins the Kunlun Fight Women's Lightweight Championship and the Kunlun Fight 2014 Female -60kg Tournament.
2014-08-31 Win China Yang Yang Kunlun Fight 9 - 2014 Legend of Mulan Tournament, Semi Finals Shangqiu, China Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2014-08-31 Win Italy Elisa Qualizza Kunlun Fight 9 - 2014 Legend of Mulan Tournament, Quarter Finals Shangqiu, China Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00
2012-04-28 Win France Ielo Page Double championnat du monde WMC Brest, France Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
Wins the WMC Muaythai Female Super Lightweight World Champion.
2011-11-06 Win Netherlands Ilona Wijmans Muaythai Premier League: Third Round Netherlands Hague, Netherlands Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00
2011-09-02 Win France Angelique Pittot Muaythai Premier League: First Round California Long Beach, California, USA Decision (Split) 5 3:00
2010-09-02 Win Australia Caley Reece 2010 World Combat Games -60 kg/132 lb Muay Thai, Final Beijing, China Decision (Unanimous) 4 2:00
Wins the 2010 World Combat Games -60 kg/132 lb Muay Thai Gold Medal.
2010-08-31 Win Germany Ania Fucz 2010 World Combat Games -60 kg/132 lb Muay Thai, Semi Finals Beijing, China N/A N/A N/A [33]
2010-08-29 Win South Africa Madeleine Ross 2010 World Combat Games -60 kg/132 lb Muay Thai, Quarter Finals Beijing, China N/A N/A N/A [34]
2008-05-03 Win Netherlands Chajmaa Bellekhal Next Generation Warriors Utrecht, Netherlands Decision N/A N/A

Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
17 matches 14 wins 3 losses
By knockout 4 1
By submission 6 0
By decision 4 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 14–3 Amanda Nunes Decision (split) UFC 215 September 9, 2017 5 5:00 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada For the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship.
Win 14–2 Julianna Peña Submission (armbar) UFC on Fox: Shevchenko vs. Peña January 28, 2017 2 4:29 Denver, Colorado, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 13–2 Holly Holm Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Holm vs. Shevchenko July 23, 2016 5 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Loss 12–2 Amanda Nunes Decision (unanimous) UFC 196 March 5, 2016 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 12–1 Sarah Kaufman Decision (split) UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cerrone 2 December 19, 2015 3 5:00 Orlando, Florida, United States
Win 11–1 Jan Finney Decision (unanimous) Legacy FC 39 February 27, 2015 3 5:00 Houston, Texas United States
Win 10–1 Hellen Bastos TKO (doctor stoppage) Fusion FC 6 February 26, 2014 2 3:00 Lima, Peru
Win 9–1 Priscila Orellana TKO (punches) Fusion FC 5 December 18, 2013 1 0:50 Lima, Peru
Win 8–1 Akjarkyn Baiturbaeva Decision (unanimous) KF-1: MMA World Competition April 30, 2011 3 5:00 Seoul, South Korea
Loss 7–1 Liz Carmouche TKO (doctor stoppage) C3 Fights: Red River Rivalry September 30, 2010 2 3:00 Concho, Oklahoma, United States
Win 7–0 Yulia Nemtsova Submission (Ezekiel choke) Professional Free Fight March 3, 2006 1 1:11 Krasnodar, Russia
Win 6–0 Kyung Aeh Kim Submission (armbar) WXF: X-Impact World Championships 2005 July 9, 2005 1 1:09 South Korea
Win 5–0 Roza Kalieva Submission (rear-naked choke) Kazakhstan Federation of Pankration 2 March 22, 2005 1 1:09 Kokshetau, Kazakhstan
Win 4–0 Alla Iskarenova Submission (rear-naked choke) Kazakhstan Federation of Pankration March 21, 2005 1 1:12 Kokshetau, Kazakhstan
Win 3–0 Erkesh Kokoeva TKO (punches) Kyrgyz Federation of Kulatuu 2 October 15, 2004 1 N/A Kyrgyzstan
Win 2–0 Mi Choi Kim Submission (rear-naked choke) WXF: X-Impact World Championships 2003 December 9, 2003 1 1:55 Seoul, South Korea
Win 1–0 Eliza Aidaralieva TKO (punches) Kyrgyz Federation of Kulatuu April 21, 2003 2 N/A Kyrgyzstan

See also

References

  1. ^ "Global female martial artist register: Valentina Shevchenko". awakeningfighters.com. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
  2. ^ "16 x World Muay Thai Champion Valentina Shevchenko". Tiger Muay Thai. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
  3. ^ "Valentina Shevchenko Signs with the UFC; Faces Kaufman in Debut | Wombat Sports". Wombatsports.wordpress.com. December 13, 2015. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "Valentina Shevchenko - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
  5. ^ "Fighter on Fighter: Breaking down UFC on FOX 20's Valentina Shevchenko". MMAmania.com. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  6. ^ a b "No hay quien tumbe a 'La Bala' Shevchenko" (in Russian, English, and Spanish). Marca. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  7. ^ "Valentina Shevchenko Talks Cross Sport Success; Signing to Legacy MMA". Wombat Sports. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  8. ^ "Women's Boxing: Valentina Shevchenko Biography". Wban.org. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  9. ^ Edwards, Lance. "Legacy Fighting Championship 39 – Valentina Shevchenko". Legacyfights.net. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  10. ^ "Valentina Schevchenko". Awakening Fighters.
  11. ^ "Valentina "Bullet" Shevchenko the Pride of Muaythai". World Muaytahi Council. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  12. ^ "Valentina Shevchenko - Hall of Fame". Lamai muaythai Camp.
  13. ^ "Legacy FC adds pro kickboxing to its resume for January debut on AXS TV". MMA Junkie. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
  14. ^ "Welcome to the UFC, Valentina Shevchenko". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
  15. ^ "de Randamie out, Shevchenko to debut against Kaufman". UFC.com. December 11, 2015. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  16. ^ Martin, Damon (December 16, 2015). "Valentina Shevchenko upsets Sarah Kaufman in UFC debut". FOX Sports. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  17. ^ Stupp, Dann (December 15, 2015). "UFC on FOX 17 results: Late replacement Valentina Shevchenko stifles Sarah Kaufman". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  18. ^ "UFC 196 results: Amanda Nunes outlasts Valentina Shevchenko for decision win". MMAjunkie. March 6, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  19. ^ "Shevchenko upsets Holm by decision". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  20. ^ a b Staff (January 28, 2017). "UFC on FOX 23 bonuses: Valentina Shevchenko, Jorge Masvidal among $50,000 extra winners". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  21. ^ Sherdog.com. "Shevchenko Expects 'Totally Different Fight' in Future Rematch vs. UFC Champ Nunes". Sherdog. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  22. ^ "Why couldn't Joanna Jedrzejczyk fight last minute at UFC 213? 'It was about a pregnancy test'". July 9, 2017.
  23. ^ "Report: Nunes-Shevchenko 2 rescheduled for UFC 215". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  24. ^ "UFC 215 results: Amanda Nunes edges out Valentina Shevchenko, remains women's 135 champ". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  25. ^ MMAFightingonSBN (September 9, 2017), UFC 215: Valentina Shevchenko Post-Fight Press Conference – MMA Fighting, retrieved September 10, 2017
  26. ^ "Report: Valentina Shevchenko Considering A Move To Flyweight | Fightful MMA". www.fightful.com. Retrieved September 15, 2017.
  27. ^ a b c Connor, Ruebusch (July 21, 2016). "Styles Make Flops: Holly Holm vs Valentina Shevchenko and Strategic Matchmaking". BloodyElbow.com. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  28. ^ a b Duane, Finley (January 27, 2017). "UFC Denver: Pena vs. Shevchenko Breakdown". FloCombat.com. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  29. ^ Lynch, James (June 17, 2017). "UFC 213's Valentina Shevchenko talks Amanda Nunes rematch". MMAOddsBreaker.com. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  30. ^ Richardson, Andrew (July 19, 2016). "Fighter on Fighter: Breaking down UFC on FOX 20's Valentina Shevchenko". MMAMania.com. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  31. ^ Okamoto, Brett (July 23, 2016). "Shevchenko takes decision from Holm at UFC Chicago". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  32. ^ "Valentina Shevchenko". Awakening Fighters. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  33. ^ "Info System". January 14, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  34. ^ "Info System". December 6, 2010. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
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