Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko 2 was exactly as advertised: a much different fight than their first showdown just six months later, with both enjoying periods of success and throwing strikes aplenty across all angles trying to wrestle UFC gold from the other’s grasp. Instead though, after a thrilling contest over 25 minutes, we’re left to lament poor judging once again.
Grasso retains title after frantic firefight
48-47 Grasso, 48-47 Shevchenko, 47-47: Grasso-Shevchenko ends in a split draw after debatable scorecards
- Grasso retains women’s flyweight title after contentious split draw, as judge Mike Bell scores 10-8 round for her in final round
- 30-year-old had opportunities to finish the fight with submission attempts in rounds two and three but got overeager and lost the position
- Shevchenko was honest in her post-fight assessment: “I think it was 3-2 to me but the judges felt pressure because it’s Mexican Independence Day, so go to the Mexican fighter. In a fair fight, victory would be mine.”
- Grasso unsure of what’s next as critics and fans alike left feeling short-changed by outcome, potentially a trilogy but Shevchenko – 36 in March – isn’t getting any younger and this will feel like another defeat
Alexa Grasso came to shock the world in March and did so. Valentina Shevchenko vowed we’d see a different side to her this time, more urgent and impactful against a new champion who also improved in the months since their first meeting.
They combined to produce one of the best WMMA matches in recent history and yet, rather than marvel at what was on display from both in-front of a cauldron of noise on Mexican Independence Day, you’re left wondering when this cycle will stop.
Magomed Ankalaev returns at UFC 294 on October 22, but the light-heavyweight contender should’ve had championship gold wrapped around his waist in December but for a controversial split draw with former titlist Jan Blachowicz.
Nine months later, former champion Shevchenko is left wondering what might’ve been. Her corner, specifically older sister Antonina, repeatedly warned the 35-year-old to stay at distance and be careful before the final round as Grasso had to push the pace and produce something special, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.
A slick back take saw her shock the world earlier this year, and not for the first time over an exhausting 25-minute battle, she used that spatial awareness and timing to her advantage in deep waters, excellently reversing a Shevchenko trip takedown:
From there, she grabbed Shevchenko’s back, landed some ground-and-pound strikes before looking to secure a choke submission as Bullet instinctively defended her neck and landed hammer fists from bottom position.
It was a fitting visual given the war that had just preceded it, but shouldn’t have swayed a decisive scorecard the way it ultimately did.
Grasso came out southpaw in the first fight and orthodox in this rematch, against an aggressive-starting former champion with a point to prove.
A quick trigger on her strikes and unafraid to pepper her with body kicks, Grasso quickly switched stance back as Valentina was forced to adjust again.
Dirty boxing worked both ways, exchanging stinging elbows before the champion’s defences were tested and soon thrust into a clinch takedown.
Grasso defended a submission attempt before an explosive scramble back to the feet came, in a competitive opening round. 1-0 Shevchenko through five minutes, that didn’t matter.
Grasso showed better clinch defence in round two, before connecting on a right hook which dropped Shevchenko as they both threw furiously in the pocket.
Almost as if she’d been snake bitten, the 35-year-old was briefly in survival mode with Grasso landing knees to the body and pinning her up against the fence.
Some respite was needed and she soon got it, timing a double-leg takedown well to give her some breathing space in a fight that had intensified a few notches.
Grasso defended well on the ground, using upkicks and baiting Shevchenko into traps from bottom position to keep the fight where she was comfortable.
1-1 through ten minutes, so it seemed. The difference in their reactions after absorbing jabs clean on the chin spoke volumes early in the third, before another timely double-leg takedown kickstarted a big round for the former champion.
She secured a mounted guillotine and it looked tight from various camera broadcast angles but Grasso importantly didn’t panic under duress, staying composed and waiting for the Kyrgyzstani’s arms to tire before a big explosion back up to her feet.
Trouble was, Shevchenko maintained pressure from a body triangle and relentlessly held firm, showing her leg dexterity to continually control the position as she had logged almost seven minutes’ control time before the final horn.
2-1 to the former titlist and into the championship rounds next, Valentina’s corner warning their charge not to be lulled into a false sense of security again about a fight going her way. Knowing full well how quickly things could change, soon they did.
Shevchenko persisted with her jabs at distance from her back foot, as it became clear Grasso was struggling to find her striking range and wearing ever-increasing damage across her face too – unable to counter or dodge those punches regularly.
Then, just like that, Shevchenko complained about illegal knees to the head as referee Herb Dean waved them on, Grasso scrambling into an armbar transition but overenthusiasm saw her lose a promising position to chain together a submission.
More sharp jabs and a clever trip takedown saw a now-bloodied Grasso needing to turn the tide.
That she did fleetingly, via a hail mary kneebar for the final seconds of the fourth – it felt like she needed a finish, or at least another knockdown to stay champion.
Shevchenko’s jab continued landing at will, appearing to make adjustments and landing that punch more frequently as time wore on.
Grasso’s corner urged their woman to be more active as the round was ticking by without much action or punch output on her side, wary of the level change but needing to press, juggling the balance of inviting risk.
The final 90 seconds or so would’ve felt like a blur and as the adrenaline wears off, an even more painful reality awaits Valentina with uncertainty now her next opponent.
As for Grasso, she retains her title but didn’t prevail. If the fifth was a 10-8 round in her favour, the same logic should’ve also been applied to the third for Shevchenko.
Highly-rated contender Erin Blanchfield [2] was an interested spectator ringside and while it’s inevitable Shevchenko is beginning to age out, will they wait to book a trilogy or does the division move onto the next contender in early 2024?
Noche UFC results
Rest of main card
Welterweight: Jack Della Maddalena bt. Kevin Holland via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Bantamweight: Raul Rosas Jr bt. Terrence Mitchell via R1 TKO (punches)
Lightweight: Daniel Zellhuber bt. Christos Giagos via R2 submission (anaconda choke)
Featherweight: Kyle Nelson bt. Fernando Padilla via UD (29-28 x 2, 30-27)
Prelims
Women’s Strawweight: Lupita Godinez bt. Elise Reed via R2 submission (rear-naked choke)
Middleweight: Roman Kopylov bt. Josh Fremd via R2 KO (body punch)
Flyweight: Edgar Chairez vs. Daniel Lacerda ended in a no contest (premature stoppage, 3:47 of R1) after review due to referee error
Women’s Flyweight: Tracy Cortez bt. Jasmine Jasudavicius via UD (30-27 x 2, 29-28)
Lightweight: Charlie Campbell bt. Alex Reyes via R1 TKO (punches)
Women’s Strawweight: Josefine Lindgren Knutsson bt. Marnic Mann via UD (30-24, 30-25, 30-27)
Picture source: Getty Images, quotes via UFC broadcast
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