Valentina Shevchenko After UFC 332: The Former Champion Is Coming for Her Belt

The UFC women’s flyweight division has a new champion, but the biggest name in the division may still be Valentina Shevchenko.

At UFC 332, Natalia Silva defeated Wang Cong by unanimous decision to become the new UFC women’s flyweight champion. The victory gave Silva the belt that Shevchenko had been forced to vacate because of injury.

But there was an immediate twist.

Valentina Shevchenko is not finished.

After Silva won the championship, Shevchenko congratulated the new champion but made her intentions clear: she wants her title back. That immediately turned a new champion’s victory into the beginning of one of the most interesting potential rivalries in women’s MMA.

Who Is Valentina Shevchenko?

Valentina Shevchenko, widely known by her nickname “Bullet,” is one of the most accomplished female fighters in UFC history.

Born in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on March 7, 1988, Shevchenko began training in martial arts at a very young age. Her mother, Elena Shevchenko, was a third-degree Taekwondo black belt and an influential figure in Kyrgyzstan’s Muay Thai community.

Valentina started training in Taekwondo at around five years old and began competing in combat sports as a child. Her striking career eventually developed into an extraordinary résumé in Muay Thai and kickboxing before she became a major UFC star.

Her older sister, Antonina Shevchenko, also became a highly accomplished Muay Thai fighter and later competed in the UFC.

Valentina Shevchenko Age, Height and Record

As of 2026, Valentina Shevchenko is 38 years old.

According to her official UFC profile:

• Full Name: Valentina Anatolievna Shevchenko
• Nickname: Bullet
• Born: March 7, 1988
• Birthplace: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
• Age: 38
• Height: 5’5″
• Reach: 67 inches
• Weight Class: Women’s Flyweight
• Fighting Style: Muay Thai
• Professional MMA Record: 26-4-1
• UFC Debut: December 19, 2015

She has recorded eight knockout wins and seven submission victories in her professional MMA career.

Valentina Shevchenko’s UFC Career

Valentina Shevchenko arrived in the UFC with an already impressive combat-sports background.

Her early UFC career included victories over Holly Holm and Julianna Peña before she established herself as one of the division’s most dangerous fighters.

She eventually captured the vacant UFC women’s flyweight championship at UFC 231 in December 2018 by defeating former strawweight champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk by unanimous decision.

That was the beginning of one of the most dominant championship runs in UFC history.

Shevchenko successfully defended the flyweight championship seven consecutive times during her first reign, defeating fighters including Jessica Eye, Liz Carmouche, Katlyn Chookagian, Jennifer Maia, Jessica Andrade, Lauren Murphy and Taila Santos.

Valentina Shevchenko vs Alexa Grasso Changed Everything

For years, Valentina Shevchenko looked almost unbeatable at 125 pounds.

That changed at UFC 285 in March 2023.

Alexa Grasso shocked the MMA world by submitting Shevchenko in the fourth round, ending her long championship reign.

The rivalry did not end there.

Their rematch at Noche UFC in September 2023 ended in a split draw, leaving Grasso as champion. Shevchenko finally regained the belt at UFC 306 in September 2024, defeating Grasso by unanimous decision.

That victory marked the beginning of her second UFC women’s flyweight title reign.

Shevchenko Returned to the Top

After reclaiming the championship, Valentina Shevchenko continued to prove that she was still one of the best fighters in the sport.

She defeated Manon Fiorot by unanimous decision at UFC 315 in May 2025.

She then faced Zhang Weili at UFC 322 in November 2025 and again won by unanimous decision, successfully defending her championship.

The win over Zhang further strengthened Shevchenko’s position as one of the most accomplished fighters in UFC history.

She has also competed in an extraordinary number of UFC championship fights. UFC records credit her with 11 women’s flyweight title-fight wins and seven successful defenses during her first championship reign.

Why Did Valentina Shevchenko Vacate the UFC Title?

This is the question that became central to UFC 332.

Shevchenko was originally expected to defend her championship against Natalia Silva. However, she suffered injuries to her back and shoulders.

Her coach Pavel Fedotov said ligament damage forced the team to abandon the planned fight and that the recovery would take a significant amount of time.

Rather than keeping the division frozen, Shevchenko vacated the championship so Natalia Silva and Wang Cong could fight for the vacant belt at UFC 332. The UFC said Shevchenko could be out for close to a year.

That decision created the championship fight that ultimately produced Silva as the new champion.

Natalia Silva Is the New Champion — But Shevchenko Wants Her Belt Back

Natalia Silva took advantage of the opportunity.

At UFC 332, Silva defeated Wang Cong by unanimous decision, with judges scoring the fight 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46.

Silva is now the UFC women’s flyweight champion.

But the championship celebration immediately came with a warning from the former champion.

Valentina Shevchenko congratulated Silva but told her not to get too comfortable because she is coming back for her belt.

That could set up one of the biggest fights in the division.

Natalia Silva vs Valentina Shevchenko: The Fight Everyone Wants

A potential Natalia Silva vs Valentina Shevchenko fight is already one of the most compelling matchups in women’s MMA.

Silva is entering the fight with enormous momentum. Her UFC record remains perfect, and her recent victories include wins over former champions Jessica Andrade, Alexa Grasso and Rose Namajunas. She has now captured the championship after extending her overall winning streak to 15 fights.

Shevchenko, meanwhile, brings something almost impossible to replicate: championship experience.

She has fought at the highest level for years, defeated elite champions and contenders, and held the UFC women’s flyweight title across two different reigns.

The stylistic matchup would also be fascinating.

Silva brings speed, movement, creativity and an unpredictable kicking game. Shevchenko combines elite Muay Thai, counterstriking, wrestling and championship-level fight IQ.

If Shevchenko returns healthy, the fight could become a battle between the established legend and the new generation.

Valentina Shevchenko’s Legacy

Regardless of what happens next, Valentina Shevchenko has already secured her place among the greatest fighters in UFC history.

She has held the UFC women’s flyweight championship twice, accumulated multiple title defenses and defeated some of the biggest names in women’s MMA.

Her UFC profile lists wins over former champions including Zhang Weili, Alexa Grasso, Joanna Jędrzejczyk, Julianna Peña and Holly Holm. She also holds several UFC women’s flyweight records, including marks for wins, KO/TKO victories, title-fight wins, strikes landed, total fight time and takedowns.

Guinness World Records also recognizes Shevchenko for seven consecutive UFC women’s title defenses during her first flyweight reign.

What’s Next for Valentina Shevchenko?

The immediate priority is recovery.

The former champion needs to get healthy before returning to the Octagon. But her message after UFC 332 has made her long-term goal clear: Valentina Shevchenko wants her UFC women’s flyweight championship back.

If she returns successfully, a title fight against Natalia Silva could become one of the biggest women’s MMA events of the next year.

Silva now owns the belt.

Shevchenko owns the legacy.

And that combination could make their eventual meeting one of the most anticipated fights in the UFC women’s flyweight division.

UFC 332 may have crowned a new champion, but it also started the next chapter of Valentina Shevchenko’s story.