Valentina Shevchenko's reign as the UFC Women's Flyweight Champion is the highlight of the newly released UFC video titled "Valentina Shevchenko’s DOMINANT Title Reign." Published on May 8, 2025, the video provides a detailed, chronological overview of Shevchenko's championship run, showcasing fight footage, expert commentary, and thorough analysis of her most memorable title defenses.
Shevchenko first won the vacant UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship on December 8, 2018, with a unanimous decision victory over former champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk. Since then, Shevchenko has proven to be a dominant force in the division, displaying an impressive mix of Muay Thai striking, traditional martial arts techniques, and elite-level grappling. Her success in controlling fights often hinges on her clinch work, effective takedowns, and her maintenance of dominant positions on the ground. The highlight video emphasizes her technical mastery, showcasing how her kicks, counterstrikes, and positional control set her apart as a top athlete in mixed martial arts.
Throughout her championship reign, Shevchenko achieved several noteworthy title defenses. One of the standout moments came against Jessica Eye, where Shevchenko delivered a breathtaking head kick knockout after initially softening Eye with powerful body kicks. Another significant defense featured a five-round unanimous decision victory over Liz Carmouche, where Shevchenko effectively utilized her grappling skills and positional awareness to dominate the match. The video further illustrates her striking precision and ground control in bouts against other top contenders such as Katlyn Chookagian, Jennifer Maia, and Jessica Andrade. In the fight against Andrade, Shevchenko showcased her wrestling prowess with multiple takedowns, ultimately finishing the fight with ground and pound from the crucifix position.
Additionally, the highlight video features Shevchenko’s defense against Lauren Murphy, where she expertly mixed striking and grappling to secure a late stoppage. Her split decision victory over Taila Santos also demonstrated her ability to adapt her game plan to counter her opponents' strengths, whether through striking, wrestling, or ground control.
Expert commentary in the video underscores Shevchenko's lifelong dedication to martial arts and showcases her evolution as a fighter throughout her title reign. This retrospective offers an insightful overview of the techniques and skills that defined her time atop the Women's Flyweight division.
Looking ahead, Valentina Shevchenko's next fight is scheduled for May 10, 2025, at UFC 315 in Montreal. She will defend her flyweight title against France's Manon Fiorot, who is poised to be a formidable challenger in the co-main event. This bout marks Shevchenko's first title defense since reclaiming the championship from Alexa Grasso in September 2024.
Manon Fiorot earned her shot at the title with a unanimous decision victory over Erin Blanchfield, entering the match as the No. 1 contender with an impressive professional record of 12 wins and only 1 loss. At 37 years old, Shevchenko enters her twelfth consecutive championship bout, a remarkable accomplishment shared by very few athletes in UFC history. As a fighter known for her striking ability, Fiorot poses a significant challenge, making this upcoming title fight one to watch closely.
