V. Shevchenko (right) poses with one of his first martial arts opponents. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @BulletValentina
In the last years, Valentina Shevchenko has built a great reputation within MMA. Flyweight champion (up to 56,7kg.) of the UFC since December 2018, the athlete shared a video in which she performs in a kickboxing fight at the age of 14 against an opponent 11 years older. Without using head protection equipment, the Kyrgyzstani woman ended up winning the fight and was already showing great promise in combat sports.
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“(I) was 14 years old and my opponent was 25. One of the first professional fights in martial arts. It happened in Oman (Arabian Peninsula). At that time, women's fights in Muslim countries were rare. They tried to force me to put on the helmet, but, being rebellious, I refused” wrote the fighter.
With undeniable talent, Valentina debuted in MMA in April 2003, at the age of 15. Right on her debut, the fighter gave her calling card and defeated Eliza Aidaralieva by knockout in the second round in a fight held in Kyrgyzstan.
Since then, Shevchenko has had 21 commitments, winning 18 and being defeated on three occasions, two of them to the Brazilian Amanda nunes.
Valentina had her first fight for Ultimate in December 2015. Since then, the athlete has had 10 fights and had two title fights: one among the bantamweights (up to 61,2kg.), in 2017 (she was defeated by the 'Leoa'); and the other, already between the flies, in 2018, when she became champion of the division.
To date, Valentina has defended her title on three occasions. The combatant was preparing for a new dispute for her reign, in UFC 251, in Australia, but an injury prevented the champion from continuing on the card. The opponent would be Joanne calderwood.
14 years oldme ,and my opponent of 25 yearsold 🙂One of the first professionalfights in my martial arts carrier! It took place in Oman.That time female fights in Muslimcountries was kind of rare)They tried to force me to put on the helmet, but having my rebel character- I refused 😀 pic.twitter.com/Dn5y9piKf6
— Valentina Shevchenko (@BulletValentina) April 7, 2020
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