Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko is one of the most respected fighters in UFC history. Her precision, discipline, and lifelong dedication to martial arts have made her a global MMA icon. But many fans still ask the same questions: Where does Valentina Shevchenko actually live? Which country does she represent? And where does she train year-round?
These questions matter not only for general curiosity, but also for fight-analysis and betting research. A fighter’s home base, training environment, and cultural identity influence their mindset, preparation style, travel demands, and even long-term performance.
This guide breaks everything down clearly—without overcomplicating things—so you know exactly how Shevchenko lives, represents, and trains today.
Where Does Valentina Shevchenko Live?
Valentina Shevchenko currently lives in the United States, splitting most of her time between Las Vegas, Nevada and travel locations for training camps or UFC media duties.
Why Las Vegas?
Because Las Vegas is the home of the UFC, many fighters move there to stay close to the Performance Institute and the UFC’s support system. For Valentina, it provides:
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Access to the UFC Performance Institute (nutrition, recovery, sports science)
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High-level training partners
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Stable weather suitable for year-round conditioning
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A calm environment outside of fight weeks
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A familiar base after more than a decade in MMA
Even though she travels often for training camps (more on that below), Vegas is her main residence and the place she has built her lifestyle and daily routine.
Does She Still Spend Time Abroad?
Yes. Valentina travels frequently to:
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Kyrgyzstan – for family visits and national events
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Peru – where she lived for years and still has strong cultural ties
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Thailand – one of her favorite Muay Thai hubs
But she remains primarily U.S.-based.
Which Country Does Valentina Shevchenko Represent?
This is where things get interesting. Valentina has deep cultural roots across several countries, but officially and publicly, she represents Kyrgyzstan.
Why Kyrgyzstan?
Shevchenko was born in Frunze, Kyrgyz SSR (modern-day Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan). She also competed under the Kyrgyzstani flag during many of her early international martial arts tournaments.
Even though she later gained Peruvian citizenship, Shevchenko continues to enter UFC fights representing Kyrgyzstan, and it is the nationality she is most publicly associated with.
What About Peru?
Valentina lived in Peru for years, trained there, fought there, and even speaks fluent Spanish. In 2008, she obtained Peruvian citizenship and is still loved as an honorary Peruvian sports figure.
While she does not represent Peru officially in UFC events, the country considers her one of their adopted champions.
What About Her Russian Heritage?
She also has Russian roots, since her family is culturally Russian-speaking, and she spent years training in Russian martial arts systems.
This multicultural background gives Shevchenko a unique global identity—but her official representation is Kyrgyzstan.
Where Does Valentina Shevchenko Train? (Full Breakdown)
Valentina Shevchenko is one of the most well-traveled fighters in MMA, and her training style reflects that.
She does not limit herself to one gym or one country. Instead, she trains in a multi-camp system, moving between different places for different phases of preparation.
Here’s a full breakdown.
1. Tiger Muay Thai – Phuket, Thailand
This is one of Valentina’s most iconic training homes.
Thailand gives her:
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World-class Muay Thai striking
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Hot and humid climate for endurance building
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Quiet “fighter’s island” lifestyle
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Sparring with elite international strikers
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A camp environment that keeps her mentally grounded
She often begins or sharpens her striking-focused camps here.
2. UFC Performance Institute – Las Vegas, USA
When she’s in the U.S., the PI is her primary resource.
Here she works on:
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Nutrition planning
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Strength and conditioning
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Physiotherapy and recovery
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High-tech assessments (VO2 max, biomechanics, etc.)
The PI helps her maintain longevity and stay injury-free, especially as a veteran fighter.
3. Her Longtime Coach – Pavel Fedotov
No matter where she goes, one constant remains:
Pavel Fedotov, her lifelong coach.
Valentina has trained under him since childhood. Together, they move between countries to build the perfect environment for each fight.
Their partnership is more like a disciplined martial arts family than a typical coach-fighter relationship.
4. Dagestan & Central Asia (Occasional Camps)
Sometimes Shevchenko goes to Dagestan or other parts of Central Asia to train wrestling and grappling with top-level athletes.
These trips strengthen her:
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Defensive wrestling
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Chain grappling
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Scramble ability
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Cage control
Even though she’s known for striking, these camps help her stay balanced and complete.
5. Peru (Legacy Training Roots)
Peru is where she:
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Developed her early MMA identity
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Competed in kickboxing and early MMA fights
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Became a national sports figure
She occasionally returns to Peru for events or short training stretches, though not as often as before.
Why Her Training Habits Matter for Research
For fans and analysts, knowing a fighter’s training environment gives clues into their preparation.
Here’s what Valentina’s setup tells us:
1. Extremely Consistent Environment
She sticks with the same coach, the same system, and similar conditioning patterns. This stability reduces unpredictable performances.
2. Global Adaptability
Because she trains in multiple countries, she adapts well to different climates and travel demands—an advantage for international fight cards.
3. Strong Striking Development
Thailand camps keep her striking sharp, which is why even at 36+, she still looks crisp.
4. Professional-Level Conditioning
Access to the UFC PI ensures she maintains elite conditioning and durability.
5. Mental Comfort
Las Vegas gives her routine and structure. Thailand gives her focus. This combination keeps her mentally balanced—important after injuries or tough fights.
Final Summary
To put everything in one place:
Where does Valentina Shevchenko live?
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Mainly in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
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Travels often to Thailand, Peru, and Kyrgyzstan
Which country does she represent?
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Officially: Kyrgyzstan
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Culturally: Connected to Peru and the Russian-speaking Central Asian community
Where does she train?
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Tiger Muay Thai (Thailand) – striking & camp focus
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UFC Performance Institute (USA) – conditioning & recovery
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Central Asia/Dagestan – wrestling
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Travel camps with longtime coach Pavel Fedotov
Her lifestyle is global, disciplined, and built around high-level martial arts culture. This is a big reason why she has stayed at the top of the sport for so long.