March is Women’s History Month and UFC Flyweight Champion Valentina Shevchenko is no stranger to making history.
The Russian born, Kyrgyzstani-Peruvian became champion at UFC 231 after defeating Joanna Jędrzejczyk back in 2018. Since then the former Muay Thai world champion has successfully defended her UFC title three times.
Shevchenko stopped by THE SOURCE office the day after International Women’s Day to talk about the power of femininity, why her Mom and sisters were her biggest influences and more.
“In these modern days, I think we women can do anything that we desire,” said Shevchenko. “We can be anything that we want. No one putting any restrictions on us. We want to be a martial artist, we are. We want to be a pilot, we can be pilots.
“We want to go to the moon, we can go there, so there is no restrictions at all. And I think in this life that any woman can (achieve) what (she) desires.”
Outside of the Octagon, the 32-year-old champion is making waves in Hollywood. Shevchenko will be making her acting debut in Halle Berry’s “Bruised,” which also marks Berry’s first film as director.
The movie deals with a former MMA fighter (Berry) and her quest to fight again while trying to reunite with her six-year-old son. Shevchenko plays Berry’s opponent but she also co-trained her for the role.
Shevchenko defends her belt next at UFC on June 6th, 2020 against Joanne Calderwood at UFC 251 in Perth, Australia.
