Strength, Honor, and a Jack Russell Terrier: Meet Kateryna Melnyk, Ukraine’s Rising MMA Star

Name: Kateryna “Kat” Melnyk

Age: 35

Height: 5'4" (163 cm)

Weight: 135 lbs (61 kg)

Nationality: Ukrainian

Profession: Aspiring Professional MMA Fighter

Favorite Color: Red

Hobby: Painting traditional Ukrainian folk art (Petrykivka painting)

Pet: A Jack Russell Terrier named Ryzhik

---

Profession:

Kateryna “Kat” Melnyk is a determined and fierce MMA fighter from Kyiv, Ukraine, with her sights set on going pro. A lifelong athlete, she first trained in Sambo and Kickboxing before transitioning to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai, developing a well-rounded, aggressive fighting style. Her dedication and relentless spirit have earned her respect in local and international circuits, where she’s known for her powerful striking and relentless takedowns.

Passions & Lifestyle:

Outside the gym, Kat channels her passion into painting traditional Petrykivka folk art, a vibrant and intricate Ukrainian art form passed down through generations. She finds balance between the intensity of MMA and the meditative, creative process of painting, often gifting her artwork to close friends and family.

Kat also shares her life with Ryzhik, a feisty and intelligent Jack Russell Terrier she adopted after being inspired by Patron, the famous mine-sniffing dog of Ukraine. Just like her, Ryzhik is small but fearless, always full of energy and ready for a challenge. The two are inseparable—Ryzhik is more than just a pet—he’s Kateryna’s most trusted companion. Anyone who wants to win her heart must first earn Ryzhik’s approval. The little Jack Russell is fiercely protective and incredibly intuitive, and Kat trusts his instincts when it comes to people.

Single and searching, Kat knows exactly what she’s looking for in a man—strength, confidence, and discipline are non-negotiable. Ideally, he’s an athlete or someone who understands the demands of her intense training lifestyle. She’s drawn to ambitious, loyal, and protective men who respect her independence and fiery spirit. A good sense of humor is essential—after a grueling day at the gym, she needs someone who can make her laugh.

Ryzhik - Her most trusted confident is always by her side for advice. She jokes that "if Ryzhik doesn’t like a guy, it’s a red flag"—he can sense weakness, insecurity, or dishonesty before she even notices it. The ideal man for Kat must not only impress her with his strength and character but also win over her four-legged guardian with honesty, loyalty, and maybe a few well-placed treats.

With her unstoppable drive, deep-rooted pride in her Ukrainian heritage, and a loyal Jack Russell by her side, Kateryna is a force to be reckoned with—both inside and outside the cage.

---

THE INTERVIEW

NMU: Kateryna, welcome! You’re making a name for yourself in the MMA world. Tell us, what drew you to fighting?

Kateryna Melnyk: Spasybi! Fighting, it is in my blood, you know? In Ukraine, we are strong people, we do not back down. My father, he was boxer, and my older brother, he did Sambo. When I was little girl, I would jump into their training like crazy one—no fear! (Laughs) Soon enough, I was throwing punches too. By time I was teenager, I know—this, this is my life. Now I train every day to go pro.

NMU: I notice your accent—very distinct, very strong. What is your native language? And do you speak any others?

Kateryna: Ah, da! My first language is Ukrainian, of course. But I also speak Russian—you grow up in Ukraine, you hear both. And now I learn English—not perfect, but I work on it. Fighters, we must learn to adapt, yes? New languages, new techniques, same discipline.

NMU: That’s impressive! Now, you’re 5'4", 135 lbs—some might underestimate you at first glance. Does that work to your advantage?

Kateryna: (Smirks) Oh, always. They look at me, they see small girl, maybe they think I am delicate, da? (Laughs) But then—boom! They step into cage with me, they feel power. I hit hard. It is not about size, is about skill, about who has fire inside.

NMU: What disciplines do you train in?

Kateryna: My base, it is Sambo and kickboxing. But MMA, it is complete sport, so I train Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling. You can be best striker in world, but if you go to ground and you do not know what to do? Pffft—you are finished! I do not like weaknesses, so I make sure I have none.

NMU: What does your training routine look like?

Kateryna: Oh, is no joke! Every day, I train like I already fight for championship. Morning—running, sprints, strength training. Midday, I do grappling—Sambo, wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Evening, I work Muay Thai, striking, sparring. Three times a week, hard sparring with men—they hit harder, so I must move faster. I train six days a week, no excuses. Even on rest day, I do something—stretching, active recovery, light drills. You cannot be champion if you train only when you feel good.

NMU: That’s intense! What’s the hardest part of your training?

Kateryna: Mental part. Your body, it gets tired, it gets sore. But the mind? The mind must be strong. Some days, you feel slow, weak—your muscles scream, your lungs burn. But you push through. This separates Big girls from babies.

NMU: When you’re not training or fighting, what do you do to unwind?

Kateryna: I love painting! Ukrainian folk art, Petrykivka painting, you know it? Is very colorful, very detailed, very traditional. Since I am child, I do this. People think fighters, we are all bam-bam, smash-smash! (Laughs) But no, real strength is balance. After hours of punching and grappling, I sit down, I paint. It clears my mind.

Ryzhik is more than just a pet—he’s Kateryna’s most trusted companion. Anyone who wants to win her heart must first earn Ryzhik’s approval.

NMU: You’re also a dog lover, and I hear you have a very special companion.

Kateryna: Oh, da! My Jack Russell Terrier, Ryzhik! He is my shadow. He runs with me, comes to gym with me, sleeps by my side. He is my best friend, my family. If you want to be in my life, you must be in his too.

NMU: I have to ask—why a Jack Russell Terrier? And I hear you got him because of Patron. Can you tell us about that?

Kateryna: Ah, Patron! He is Ukrainian hero! During war, he became famous for finding landmines. A small dog, but so brave! He saved many lives, helped clear dangerous areas so children, families, soldiers could be safe. He was even honored by President Zelenskyy! When I saw this little dog, full of energy, courage, no fear—I think, this is fighter’s spirit. So when I get dog, I know—I want same kind of heart, same kind of fight. That is why I chose Jack Russell.

NMU: Incredible. So Ryzhik is your little warrior?

Kateryna: (Laughs) Oh, da! He is small but strong, very fast, always moving, just like me. And—he is also big test for men! If Ryzhik does not like you, eh… maybe I don’t either. (Smirks).

NMU: Sounds like a loyal little guardian. Now, let’s talk about your personal life. You’re single—what kind of man catches your eye?

"If Ryzhik does not like you, maybe I don't either." —Kateryna Melnyk

 I wake up and tell myself, “Be better than yesterday.”

Kateryna: I respect strength—not just body, but mind and heart too. I work hard, I fight for my dreams. I want man who does same, who is strong, who does not fear challenge. No lazy man, no weak man. And very important—Ryzhik must approve! If my dog does not like you? Eh… this is big problem. (Laughs)

NMU: So confidence, discipline, and dog-approved. What’s the fastest way a guy can ruin his chances with you?

Kateryna: Ah, easy! Weakness. Complaining. Making excuses. A man who talks but does not act? Pffft, I have no patience for that. In fighting, in life, if you want something—you do not cry, you do not wait. You take it!

NMU: Strong words. Before we wrap up, what’s next for you?

Kateryna: I train for my pro debut! Every day, I wake up and tell myself, “Be better than yesterday.” The road is hard, but this makes victory sweet.

NMU: One last personal question—do you see yourself having children one day?

Kateryna: Ah… this is good question. Right now, my focus is fighting. My dream is to go pro, to make my name known. But one day? Yes, I think so. Family is important in Ukraine. I want strong children, brave like warriors, disciplined like athletes. But only with right man. A father must be strong, must protect, must lead. If I do not find this man? Then, eh… I stay with Ryzhik. (Laughs) He is good boy, never complains!

NMU: We’ll be watching your journey closely. Thanks for your time, Kateryna!

Kateryna: Spasybi! And remember—if you want my heart, first, you must win over Ryzhik! (Smiles)