Valentina Shevchenko Profile
By Mason Shatwell
The Beginning
On today’s fighter profile we are looking at the UFC career of the UFC’s flyweight champion “The Bullet” Valentina Shevchenko.
Shevchenko debuted in the promotion back in 2015. She fought on the Dos anjos vs Cerrone 2 card where she faced Sarah Kaufman.
Although Valentina would’ve loved a finish in her UFC debut she did get the victory albeit via split decision. Then came Valentina’s first loss inside the UFC octagon and it came against the now UFC featherweight and bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes. The fight went the full three rounds and unfortunately the unanimous decision was awarded to Nunes and not Shevchenko.
Main Events
Valentina then went on to fight in her first ever UFC main event against Holly Holm. This was a great first main event for Shevchenko as she walked away with the unanimous decision victory over Holm. Valentina the main evented her second UFC card where she fought Julianna Pena. Along with this being Shevchenko’s second main event it also came with her first UFC finish. Valentina left the arena with a second round submission victory via an armbar.
Title Shot
After the Pena fight Shevchenko earned herself a title shot and rematch with Amanda Nunes. This fight was closer than the first. Many fans have voiced their opinion with them believing Valentina won the fight but with the judges it wasnt the case as Nunes won via split decision. After the rematch Shevchenko bounced back with a second round submission via rear naked choke victory against Priscila Cachoeira.
Title Winner
Shevchenko earned herself another title shot this time against Joanna Jedrzejczyk this time at flyweight.
Shevchenko defeated Jedrzejczyk via unanimous decision to achieve UFC gold. Then came the first title defence of the Shevchenko reign and it came against Jessica Eye. This fight gave us a very iconic headkick knockout as Valentina knocked Eye out in the second round.
Then came another rematch, this time it was against Liz Carmouche. The fight went the way Shevchenko wanted as she avenged the loss against Carmouche and won via unanimous decision.
Katlyn Chookagian was next for the champion at UFC 247. Chookagian didn’t seem to trouble the champion too much as the champion regained her title via a third round stoppage.
Shevchenko returned at UFC 255 against Jennifer Maia. The challenger was competitive in the early stages, winning the second round, but Shevchenko pulled away to retain her title on points, and is already targeting a 3rd fight with Nunes.
