Sep 14, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alexa Grasso of Mexico (red gloves) fights Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan (blue gloves) during Riyadh Season Noche UFC 306 at The Sphere. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

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Valentina Shevchenko Showcases Her Championship Pedigree, Ready To Fight Whoever The UFC Chooses

Valentina Shevchenko stays sharp, says she is prepared for any challenger the UFC throws her way!

The women’s flyweight division has belonged to Valentina Shevchenko for years. Her technical striking, calculated takedowns, and ice-cold composure have become the gold standard in women’s MMA. Even after briefly losing her title to Alexa Grasso in 2023, ‘Bullet’ showed the heart of a champion by battling back to reclaim her throne in their trilogy. Some fighters might have crumbled after tasting defeat for the first time in years,. Not Shevchenko.

Her recent performance at UFC 315 against Manon Fiorot proved she is not slowing down anytime soon. The French challenger came in with serious momentum and dangerous striking skills. Many believed Fiorot’s youth and athleticism might finally be the combination to solve the Shevchenko puzzle. But over five rounds, Valentina dismantled those hopes with surgical precision. She neutralized Fiorot’s attacks, landed her own strikes and reminded everyone why she’s considered one of the greatest female fighters of all time.

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Valentina Shevchenko’s Next Challenge

‘Bullet’ isn’t one to choose her opponents, nor back away from a fight. Talking to Ariel Helwani recently, she revealed she was open to taking any fight the UFC put infront of her, whether it be Natalia Silva or Zhang Weili.

“In my whole career, i have never picked my opponents or tried to negotiate. I never decline Natalia Silva. Fought a great fight (against Alexa Grasso) and i respect Zhang Weili too.”

Her confidence isn’t arrogance, it is the calm assurance of someone who has seen it all in the octagon. The options for her next title defense are particularly intriguing. On one hand, there’s Natalia Silva, who impressed everyone by defeating former champion Alexa Grasso on the same UFC 315 card. Silva’s fluid movement and precise counterstriking make her a fresh challenge for Valentina.

On the other hand looms the possibility of a superfight against Zhang Weili. The Chinese powerhouse currently reigns as strawweight champion and has expressed interest in moving up to challenge for a second belt. A champion versus champion showdown between these two would be a collision of different fighting styles.

Valentina Shevchenko is open to Zhang Weili or Natalia Silva next after #UFC315 and says she'll leave it to the fans to decide. pic.twitter.com/J6peQOLgF0
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) May 11, 2025

What makes Valentina’s willingness to face either opponent so impressive is that they present wildly different puzzles to solve. Silva brings youth, speed, and a style somewhat reminiscent of Valentina’s own technical approach. Zhang would bring raw power that Shevchenko hasn’t faced too much since her fight against Amanda Nunes. Most champions might have a preference, pushing for the more favorable matchup. Not Shevchenko. Her “bring them all on” attitude speaks volumes about her confidence!

(Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images)

Natalia Silva

Valentina Shevchenko

Zhang Weili

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!