Ukrainian MMA fighter Kateryna Shakalova believes in the promising future of women's mixed martial arts in her country despite the significant setbacks caused by Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
In a candid interview, Shakalova shared insights about her early career fears, revealing a surprising personal concern. 'For my first five fights, I was terrified of getting hit in the nose. I thought if it broke, my career would be over,' she admitted. Ironically, she later experienced serious cuts on her forehead and above her eyebrow, discovering they caused much less pain than anticipated.
Discussing the state of women's MMA in Ukraine, Shakalova acknowledged the limited financial investment based on fighter purses but noted positive development trends before the war interrupted progress. 'There was an excellent project planned before 2022 with various events and fights, but unfortunately, it couldn't move forward,' she explained.
Despite these challenges, Shakalova remains optimistic about the sport's future in Ukraine, pointing to the emergence of talented young female athletes in related disciplines. 'I see many gifted young women in pancration and grappling. I believe Ukrainian women's MMA has enormous potential,' she emphasized.
Training predominantly with male partners presents another challenge for Shakalova. 'In my gym, I work almost exclusively with men. Women are extremely rare,' she noted. 'I'd prefer more female training partners because men either hold back too much or apply excessive force, which can lead to injuries.'
According to Statbet analysis, female fighters often face unique training environment challenges compared to their male counterparts, particularly in regions where the sport is still developing.
Fans can look forward to watching Shakalova in action this June when she faces Jena Bishop in the semifinals of the PFL 2025 World Tournament, a significant opportunity for the Ukrainian fighter to showcase her talents on an international stage.
