Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko are set to square off in a women’s Flyweight contest tonight (Sat., Sept. 16, 2023) at Noche UFC inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Just about six months ago, Grasso shocked the world and shook up the division with one of the best sequences of the year, upsetting Shevchenko with a slick rear naked choke. “Bullet” maintained that she was the better fighter, but at 35 years of age, the longtime Flyweight queen really has to prove that she’s still at the top of her game. Conversely, Grasso wants to prove there was no fluke, and that the title will remain in Mexico.
As it turns out the rematch was one hell of a fight. Both women found a lot of success, often in similar manner to the first bout. Shevchenko won many minutes of the fight, but Grasso had the two most massive moments in the fight in the form of a knockdown and back take late in the fifth. It was a back-and-forth battle, and perhaps appropriately, it was scored a draw.
Tune in below for live updates and highlights as soon as the fighters make their way into the Octagon:
Round One
No touch of gloves starts the contest, and Shevchenko lets het left leg fly towards the liver right away. True to her word, the former champion is more aggressive early, looking for her left hand. Another body kick finds a home. Grasso switches Southpaw and lands a low kick. Then, she denies a clinch and lands on the break. Shevchenko’s next takedown attempt is also stuffed, but she scores with an elbow. Shevchenko is jabbing actively and starting to split the guard. “Bullet” wraps her foe up and forces her to the floor with a body lock. Shevchenko mounts! She loses position when chasing the back, however, and the two are back on their feet in the clinch.
10-9 Shevchenko
Round Two
The two trade jabs early, and Grasso denies another clinch attempt. Shevchenko lands a nice cross, but Grasso returns the favor immediately with a MUCH harder cross the drops her! Shevchenko wraps up the clinch, but she’s wobbly. Grasso is teeing off with knees and punches in close distance! “Bullet” survives, circles back to distance, and scores a much-needed double leg takedown. Shevchenko settles into guard and recovers. Shevchenko isn’t doing much with her top control. She opens up a bit more in the closing seconds of the round, but it’s far from enough to take back the round.
10-9 Grasso
Alexa Grasso drops Valentina Schevchenko in the second round! pic.twitter.com/OMmJ5ApGqa
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) September 17, 2023
Round Three
The two athletes trade jabs and inside low kicks to start the third frame. 90 seconds into the round, Shevchenko powers her way through a double leg shot. Grasso tries to scramble up, but Shevchenko jumps on her neck! She pulls guard with the choke and rolls Grasso into mount! It’s tight, but Grasso seems to have the space to survive. She does just that, and “Bullet” takes her back, locking in the body triangle. Grasso tries to spin back-and-forth, but she’s stuck in the triangle until the closing seconds of the round.
10-9 Shevchenko
Casi consigue la GUILLOTINA @BulletValentina #NocheUFC pic.twitter.com/zXX78gpDCm
— UFC Español (@UFCEspanol) September 17, 2023
Round Four
Stiff jabs from Shevchenko early, but Grasso smartly responds with her first calf kick of the fight. Good stick-and-move from Shevchenko. Grasso sprawls on a takedown and knees Shevchenko in the face three or four times in a great moment from the champion. She keeps the clinch and slams Shevchenko, but “Bullet” spins her way into top position. Not for long! Grasso pops back up to her feet and eats an elbow. Shevchenko is back on the jab. 1-2-3 connects clean for Shevchenko. One more body lock takedown scores for Shevchenko, but again, Grasso is up to her feet quickly. Grasso dives on a leg lock in the closing seconds of the round, but it’s not there.
10-9 Shevchenko
Round Five
Grasso begins the fifth with a clean right hand lead. A couple stiff jabs score for “Bullet,” followed by a sharp elbow. Grasso lands in the exchange too. Shevchenko’s punches are landing well two minutes into the final round. Grasso scores with a jab of her own. 1-2-3 from “Bullet,” prompting a Grasso takedown attempt that goes nowhere. Grasso’s face is wearing the damage. Grasso finds a big right hook connection. Shevchenko tries a headlock throw and gives up her back! Grasso sinks in both hooks! She’s on the neck! Shevchenko survives the attempt but she’s still in a body triangle. The fight finishes in that position.
10-9 Grasso
Result: This bout is scored a split-draw (48-47, 47-48, 47-47)
For complete Noche UFC: “Grasso vs. Shevchenko” results and play-by-play, click HERE!