Valentina Shevchenko, famously known as “Bullet,” stands as one of the most dominant and respected athletes in mixed martial arts. Her journey from a young martial artist in Kyrgyzstan to a two-time UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion is a story of discipline, versatility, and relentless pursuit of greatness. Here’s a comprehensive look at her life, career, and achievements as of 2025.
Valentina Shevchenko’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Name | Valentina Anatolyevna Shevchenko |
| Nickname | N/A |
| Date of Birth | March 7, 1988 |
| Age | 37 years |
| Birthplace | Frunze, Kyrgyzstan, former Soviet Union |
| College | National Academy of Arts of the Kyrgyz Republic |
| Religion | N/A |
| Nationality | Kyrgyzstani, Peruvian |
| Height | 5’5″ (165 cm) |
| Turned Pro | April 21, 2003 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $5 million |
| Salary | $1.2–$1.5 million per fight |
| Spouse | Single |
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Children | N/A |
| @bulletvalentina |
Early Career
Valentina Shevchenko began her martial arts journey at age five, inspired by her mother and older sister. She quickly excelled in taekwondo, then branched into Muay Thai and kickboxing, earning her “Bullet” nickname at age 12 after knocking out a much older opponent. By 2003, she had turned professional in MMA, competing internationally and collecting multiple world titles in Muay Thai and kickboxing before focusing fully on MMA.
Professional Career
Shevchenko’s professional MMA debut was in 2003. After dominating regional circuits and collecting wins in various countries, she entered the UFC in 2015. She quickly rose through the ranks, facing elite fighters like Amanda Nunes and Holly Holm. In 2018, she claimed the vacant UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship against Joanna Jędrzejczyk and set a record with seven title defenses, defeating top contenders such as Jessica Andrade, Katlyn Chookagian, and Lauren Murphy.
Despite a brief setback losing her title to Alexa Grasso in 2023, she regained it in a 2024 rematch, cementing her legacy as a two-time champion. As of 2025, she remains a top force in the flyweight division, known for her striking, tactical prowess, and championship mindset.
Valentina Shevchenko’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Valentina Shevchenko’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million. This wealth comes from her fight purses, performance bonuses, pay-per-view shares, and numerous endorsement deals. Her annual income has seen a significant boost with her recent title fights, where she reportedly earns between $1.2 million and $1.5 million per bout, excluding undisclosed PPV bonuses.
Fight Purses
| Event | Opponent | Result | Purse (Approx.) |
| UFC 315 (2025) | Manon Fiorot | Win | $1.2M–$1.5M |
| UFC 306 (2024) | Alexa Grasso | Win | $1M |
| Noche UFC (2023) | Alexa Grasso | Draw | $1M+ |
| UFC 285 (2023) | Alexa Grasso | Loss | $1.2M |
| UFC 275 (2022) | Taila Santos | Win | $540K (excl. PPV) |
| UFC 266 (2021) | Lauren Murphy | Win | $892K (incl. PPV) |
| UFC 261 (2021) | Jessica Andrade | Win | $1.19M (incl. PPV) |
| UFC 255 (2020) | Jennifer Maia | Win | $280K (excl. PPV) |
| UFC 247 (2020) | Katlyn Chookagian | Win | $280K (excl. PPV) |
| UFC 238 (2019) | Jessica Eye | Win | $300K |
| UFC 231 (2018) | Joanna Jędrzejczyk | Win | $130K |
| UFC on Fox: Shevchenko vs. Peña (2017) | Julianna Peña | Win | $84.5K |
| UFC 215 (2017) | Amanda Nunes | Loss | $130K |
| UFC on Fox: Holm vs. Shevchenko (2016) | Holly Holm | Win | $30.5K |
Endorsements
- Stake (Global Brand Ambassador)
- Brownells
- Girls with Guns Clothing
- GuardLab, Inc.
- LUCHO Shoes
- Smith & Wesson Corp.
- VEOSPORT
- Dapper Scrappers
Career Records
| Opponent | Result | Event | Method | Date |
| Amanda Nunes | Loss (x2) | UFC 215, UFC 196 | Decision (split/unanimous) | 2017, 2016 |
| Holly Holm | Win | UFC on Fox | Decision (unanimous) | July 23, 2016 |
| Julianna Peña | Win | UFC on Fox | Submission (armbar) | Jan 28, 2017 |
| Joanna Jędrzejczyk | Win | UFC 231 | Decision (unanimous) | Dec 8, 2018 |
| Jessica Eye | Win | UFC 238 | KO (head kick) | Jun 8, 2019 |
| Katlyn Chookagian | Win | UFC 247 | TKO (elbows/punches) | Feb 8, 2020 |
| Lauren Murphy | Win | UFC 266 | TKO (elbows/punches) | Sep 25, 2021 |
| Jessica Andrade | Win | UFC 261 | TKO (elbows) | Apr 24, 2021 |
| Alexa Grasso | Loss, Draw, Win | UFC 285, Noche UFC, UFC 306 | Submission, Draw, Decision | 2023, 2023, 2024 |
| Liz Carmouche | Win, Loss | UFC Fight Night, C3 Fights | Decision, TKO | 2019, 2010 |
FAQs
1. Who is Valentina Shevchenko?
Valentina Shevchenko is a Kyrgyz professional mixed martial artist, former Muay Thai fighter, and kickboxer, competing in the UFC women’s Flyweight division and recognized as one of the most accomplished female fighters in MMA history.
2. What championships has Valentina Shevchenko won?
Shevchenko is a two-time UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion and the first Kyrgyz fighter to win a UFC championship, with multiple successful title defenses.
3. What is Valentina Shevchenko’s fighting style?
Her primary fighting style is Muay Thai, but she is also highly skilled in taekwondo, judo, boxing, and kickboxing, holding black belts and master titles in several disciplines.
4. What is Valentina Shevchenko’s MMA record?
Shevchenko has a professional MMA record of 25 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw, with victories by knockout, submission, and decision.
5. Where was Valentina Shevchenko born and what is her nationality?
She was born on March 7, 1988, in Frunze, Kirghiz SSR (now Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan), and holds Kyrgyz and Peruvian nationalities.
6. Who are Valentina Shevchenko’s notable family members?
Her older sister, Antonina Shevchenko, is also a professional MMA fighter and Muay Thai champion.
7. What are some of Valentina Shevchenko’s most notable UFC victories?
She has defeated top fighters such as Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Holly Holm, Jessica Andrade, and Alexa Grasso, often dominating with her striking and technical skills.
8. Has Valentina Shevchenko competed in other sports or activities?
Yes, she has competed in professional kickboxing, Muay Thai, and pistol shooting competitions, and has appeared in films and video games.
9. What is Valentina Shevchenko’s nickname and how did she get it?
Her nickname is “Bullet,” reflecting her speed and precision in striking, a moniker she earned early in her fighting career.
10. Who has been influential in Valentina Shevchenko’s career?
Her longtime coach Pavel Fedotov has played a significant role in her development, and her family has supported her journey, including making sacrifices to help her compete internationally.