The intense rivalry between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko continues to captivate the UFC audience. In their highly anticipated rematch at Noche UFC, held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the two fighters fought to a split draw (48-47, 47-48, 47-47). While Grasso retained the UFC women’s flyweight title, Shevchenko expressed her disappointment, stating that the draw did not feel like a victory. The outcome of this fight has left fans hungry for a third showdown between the two fierce competitors.
The fight between Grasso and Shevchenko went back and forth, showcasing the skill and determination of both fighters. Grasso managed to drop Shevchenko in the second round, displaying her power and precision. However, Shevchenko showcased her resilience by nearly finishing Grasso with a mounted guillotine choke in the third round.
The fight concluded with Grasso on Shevchenko’s back, unleashing a barrage of punches. The toe-to-toe action throughout the match kept the audience on the edge of their seats, resulting in divided opinions.
The Noche UFC event coincided with Mexican Independence Day, which added to the intensity of the match. The predominantly Mexican and Mexican-American crowd made their dissatisfaction clear, booing Shevchenko and expressing their disagreement with the draw. Grasso, on the other hand, believed she had done enough to secure a victory, stating that she thought she had won three rounds to two.
In their initial encounter six months ago, Grasso defeated Shevchenko to claim the UFC women’s flyweight title. This victory catapulted her into the history books as the first Mexican-born female fighter to win a UFC championship. Despite her noncommittal stance towards a rematch immediately after the fight, she expressed her willingness to abide by the UFC’s decision regarding her next opponent and future opportunities.
Shevchenko, who believed she deserved the victory, pointed out that her thumb was broken in the first round of the rematch. She expressed her reluctance to commit to a rematch until she has fully recovered from this injury, emphasizing her desire to compete at 100%. Despite the setback, she remained determined and optimistic about her future in the octagon.
One of the contributing factors to the split draw was the differing opinions among the judges. Judge Mike Bell’s 10-8 score in favor of Grasso in the fifth round played a crucial role in the overall result. Judge Junichiro Kamijo scored the fight in favor of Grasso, highlighting her performance in the second, fourth, and fifth rounds. However, Judge Sal D’Amato believed Shevchenko had done enough to win, awarding her the victory in the first, third, and fourth rounds.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Grasso outlanded Shevchenko in significant strikes (64-57) and total strikes (219-158). Shevchenko demonstrated her grappling prowess by successfully executing four out of six takedown attempts and controlling Grasso for 8 minutes and 37 seconds.
Leading up to the fight, ESPN ranked Shevchenko as No. 2 and Grasso as No. 3 in its women’s pound-for-pound rankings, showcasing their status as top contenders in the flyweight division.
With their rematch ending in a draw, the rivalry between Grasso and Shevchenko has reached a boiling point. Both fighters have showcased their skills and resilience, captivating fans around the world. With the potential for a third epic encounter, the stage is set for an intense and thrilling battle to determine the ultimate victor in this fierce rivalry within the UFC women’s flyweight division.
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