Why does Valentina Shevchenko have a gun tattoo?
Valentina Shevchenko got a Glock tattoo on her lower abdomen because she believes the gun is universal like an MMA fighter. Shevchenko also enjoys shooting in her free time.
The former UFC flyweight champion recently attended a shooting range in Florida. Her sister, Antonina Shevchenko, also enjoys shooting.
Shevchenko has six tattoos in total. The 35-year-old has a tribal-style tattoo on her lower back, a Federation of Thai Boxing of the Kirghiz Republic symbol on her shoulder, and another symbol on her shoulder blade.
The former UFC champion also has the Thai deity of Hanuman tattooed on the right side of her stomach and writing on her upper back.
Valentina Shevchenko was born in Frunze, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and trains with Tiger Muay Thai. It's the 35-year-old's love for these aspects of her life mainly features in her tattoos.
Shevchenko lost her UFC flyweight title to Mexican fighter Alexa Grasso in the co-main event of the UFC 285 PPV event via fourth-round submission. As a dominant champion, she defended the undisputed title seven consecutive times and the body of work was enough for her to get an immediate rematch against Grasso.
Valentina Shevchenko and Alexa Grasso will once again meet inside the octagon in the headliner of UFC Fight Night 227 on September 16, 2023. The event will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Valentina Shevchenko received customized gun sliders as a gift
Valentina Shevchenko's love for guns is not a secret. When she is not dominating the UFC octagon or training in the gym, 'Bullet' is most likely doing target practice at a shooting range! During a 2020 interview with ESPN MMA, Shevchenko revealed that she received custom-made pistol sliders as a gift in 2018. She explained:
““Brownells. They made it for me. Actually, there is only two guns like this who has the logo. They had a winner who won this pistol and also two tickets to the fight. I think it was the fight that didn’t happen against Amanda, the second one, Las Vegas, UFC 228. So they have the winner, and of course, it was the second gun and the first one I have. Brownells, they support me every time with guns and ammunition with everything, and I have this gun from them.”
You can watch the full interview below: