"Using a tree as a training partner since 2000" - Valentina Shevchenko shares throwback picture of her as a 12-year-old
UFC women's flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko has shared a photograph from her childhood of her practising Taekwondo on a tree.
The 34-year-old shared the photo of her training and joked that she has been using trees as a training partner since the year 2000. In the post, Shevchenko revealed that she found the image while searching through her mother's photo albums and stated that she's been practising Taekwondo since she was 12 years old:
"Found another cool picture in my mom's family album. Using a tree as a training partner since 2000. I am 12 years old here and short haircut. Taekwondo ITF"
🏻 Taekwondo ITF 
Found another cool picture in my mom’s family album ❤️
Using a tree as a training partner since 2000 🙂 I am 12 years old here and short haircut 🙂👊🏻 Taekwondo ITF 👊🏻 https://t.co/vKKg48msvB
It's clear Shevchenko's early training has paid dividends as she has dominated the UFC women's flyweight division since its inception. 'Bullet' won the vacant title at UFC 231 against Joanna Jędrzejczyk in 2018 and has remained undefeated in the division since.
The 34-year-old has defended her title seven successive times and has looked better in each performance up until her latest title defence. Shevchenko narrowly defeated Talia Santos via a split decision at UFC 275, which was deemed a controversial result.
Although the champion doesn't have a confirmed next opponent, many believe the pair will run the fight back. Santos is now the only fighter in the flyweight division to have won on a judges scorecard against Valentina Shevchenko.
#UFC275
Do you agree with the Valentina Shevchenko v Taila Santos scorecards? 👀 #UFC275 https://t.co/HA0Y0cTuvY
Women's strawweight champion Zhang Weili wants superfight against Valentina Shevchenko
Zhang Weili is already planning on making history after recapturing the women's strawweight title at UFC 281 this month. The Chinese fighter dominated Carla Esparza from the beginning and locked in a second-round submission for the victory.
Now beginning her second run as the women's strawweight champion, 'Magnum' is keen to make it historic as she confirmed she'd be open to fighting Valentina Shevchenko in what could be one of the biggest fights in women's MMA history.
The 33-year-old was interviewed by China Daily and spoke about her future:
""I think it would be a great fight. It's one I've considered before. She [Valentina Shevchenko] is a very versatile fighter with a complete package. I hope it can be arranged whenever UFC sees fit."
If the fight with Shevchenko doesn't take place, Weili still has much to prove in her own division. Rose Namajunas currently holds two victories over the champ but is unlikely to be given an immediate shot at the title.
Should Weili decide she'd like to have a trilogy bout against 'Thug', Namajunas must earn that shot after her lackluster performance against Carla Esparza, where she dropped the title earlier this year.