Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Episode: Daniel Cormier TV – Valentina Shevchenko on Fighting Weili Zhang
Release Date: November 18, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Daniel Cormier sits down with Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko, one of MMA’s greatest female fighters, ahead of her anticipated “super fight” against current strawweight champion Zhang Weili. The conversation dives into Valentina's globe-trotting training camp, her martial arts philosophy, preparation for her next historic title defense, and her reflections on motivation and legacy. Shevchenko also discusses her acting role in the series "The Terminal List," balancing fame, fighting, and her passion for martial arts.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Valentina’s Unique, Globetrotting Training Camp

[05:15 – 09:08]

• Travel and Martial Arts Connection:
  Shevchenko emphasizes that for her, "travel and martial arts, it's all tied so much together that, that it's never separate."
  (Valentina Shevchenko, 05:22)
• Training Destinations:
  • Started in Thailand at Tiger Muay Thai, which she calls a second home.
  • Spent time in Morocco filming for “The Terminal List,” training in local gyms in Casablanca, Tangier, Marrakech, and Osny.
  • Back to Las Vegas at Andrada Muay Thai with notable UFC training partners.
  • Went to El Paso, Texas: “like a family spirit”—trained with partners from El Paso and across the border in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.
  • Finished in New Jersey at Richie Van Houten’s gym.
• Mental Refresh:
  Cormier notes how the variety prevents training camp burnout—Valentina agrees it “opens your mind” and gives “different energy every time.”
• Her flexibility: Training location and camp duration never fixed: “It's all depends. It's never fixed. It's never certain.” (Valentina Shevchenko, 06:27)

2. Rest and Recovery Post-Fight

[09:08 – 10:45]

• After her last defense against Manon Fior, Shevchenko took a boating trip in Washington’s Puget Sound for two months: “A lot of good fishing, salmon fishing, crabbing, shrimping. So this is the way how I was restoring myself.” (Valentina Shevchenko, 09:50)
• She explains this allows for mental and physical recovery before jumping back into preparation for Zhang Weili.

3. The Challenge of Facing Zhang Weili

[11:21 – 12:08]

• Shevchenko praises Weili: "She's amazing fighter, she's very strong. She's like, good representative of martial arts… the highest challenge."
• She stresses all-around preparation: “Because it's martial arts, it's MMA. You cannot think that it's going to be only striking or only grappling. It can be everything.”
• Notably, Shevchenko asserts:
  “I know that she's fast, I'm faster, she's strong, I'm stronger, and I will do everything...to win the fight and secure my victory.”
  (Valentina Shevchenko, 11:44)
• Both fighters have dominated their divisions for years, making this a true “super fight.”

4. Evolution of Fight Tactics

[12:08 – 13:24]

• Cormier notes Shevchenko’s recent reliance on wrestling.
• Valentina credits adaptability: “It's majority times. It's all about my opponents ... You have to be everything ... what tactics you're going to use, it depends of the moment in the fight. Sometimes you have to change it quickly.” (Valentina Shevchenko, 12:44)

5. Ranking Weili among Past Challengers

[13:24 – 14:27]

• When asked to compare Weili with past opponents (Amanda Nunes, Holly Holm, Manon Fior, etc.), Shevchenko says:
  “I definitely will rank her as a bigger challenge because I feel that this approach, it's helping me to be successful ... I consider every my next challenge as the number one.” (Valentina Shevchenko, 13:53 & 14:27)
• Emphasizes not underestimating any opponent.

6. Staying Motivated and Maintaining Excellence

[14:35 – 16:12]

• Discusses her longevity as champion (10 title defenses, gunning for 11) and never losing motivation.
• “Martial arts for me, it's not the way just to get money ... It's not my job. It's not my ... career. It's my lifestyle … I'm martial art, not martial artist. I am martial art and everything. What I represent, it's my martial arts ... It's all my philosophy, all my life.”
  (Valentina Shevchenko, 15:25)
• Credits her coach of 30+ years, Pavel Fedotov:
  “I just go and train. My job is easy. His job is hard.” (Valentina Shevchenko, 16:12)

7. Loyalty and Her Long Journey

[17:09 – 18:03]

• Shevchenko has stuck with the same coach and team her entire career, citing loyalty and shared responsibility.
• “I grew up in Kyrgyzstan ... My way to get into the UFC, it was one of the hardest ways ... I had to travel all the world, become 17 time world champion in Muay Thai, MMA, kickboxing ... only after that, I had my chance to compete in UFC.” (Valentina Shevchenko, 17:09)
• Cormier admires this loyalty and resilience.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On facing Zhang Weili:
  “I know that she's fast, I'm faster, she's strong, I'm stronger, and I will do everything…to win the fight.”
  (Valentina Shevchenko, 11:44)

• On martial arts as a philosophy:
  “I'm martial art, not martial artist.”
  (Valentina Shevchenko, 15:25)

• On her legendary coach:
  “My job is easy. His job is hard.”
  (Valentina Shevchenko, 16:12)

• On never underestimating opponents:
  “I consider every my next challenge as the number one.”
  (Valentina Shevchenko, 14:27)

Important Timestamps

• 05:15–09:08 – Shevchenko’s global training camp details
• 09:38–10:45 – Post-fight rest and mental reset
• 11:21–12:08 – Analysis of Zhang Weili as a challenge
• 12:44 – Approach to tactics and fight adaptability
• 13:53 – Where Weili ranks among opponents
• 15:25–16:12 – Motivation and martial arts as a lifestyle
• 17:09–18:03 – Loyalty to coach and the path to UFC

Tone and Language

The episode is insightful, candid, and respectful, with a tone blending professionalism, admiration, and friendly banter. Cormier’s praise is warm and genuine, while Shevchenko responds thoughtfully, humbly, and with a clear sense of pride in her journey and philosophy.

Conclusion

This episode offers an in-depth look at Valentina Shevchenko’s mindset, preparation, and philosophy as she heads into one of the biggest fights of her storied career. Both Shevchenko and Cormier emphasize respect, adaptability, and the enduring spirit required to remain at the sport's pinnacle. Inspiring for both longtime fans and newcomers, the conversation showcases Valentina’s unwavering motivation, preparation, and humility on the verge of yet another historic title defense.