UFC boss Dana White plans Alexa Grasso – Valentina Shevchenko 3 next: ‘It’s the fight that needs to happen’

Dana White confirms Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko 3 in UFC title fight nextFollowing last weekend’s controversial split draw decision between incumbent flyweight champion, Alexa Grasso and former titleholder, Valentina Shevchenko in the main event of Noche UFC – promotional boss, Dana White has confirmed plans to ink a trilogy fight between the duo next. Taking main event honors on Mexican Indepedence Day, Guadalajara native, Grasso retained her […]

Dana White confirms Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko 3 in UFC title fight next

Following last weekend’s controversial split draw decision between incumbent flyweight champion, Alexa Grasso and former titleholder, Valentina Shevchenko in the main event of Noche UFC – promotional boss, Dana White has confirmed plans to ink a trilogy fight between the duo next.

Taking main event honors on Mexican Indepedence Day, Guadalajara native, Grasso retained her undisputed flyweight crown and her status as the pound-for-pound number one, fighting to a split draw decision (48-47, 47-48, 47-47) with Krgysztan native, Shevchenko in the pair’s championship rematch.

In their first pairing, defending champion and division berserker, Shevchenko suffered her flyweight title loss in her first defeat at 125 pounds – with Team Lobo staple, Grasso rallying to land a third round neck crank submission win over the former.

Dana White plans Alexa Grasso – Valentina Shevchenko trilogy fight next

And off the back of a controversial 10-8 round issued by judge, Michael Bell in the favor of Mexican champion, Grasso, organizational CEO, White has backed Shevchenko’s calls for a trilogy fight next – claiming a pairing between the two will take place again.

“You have to do the rematch,” Dana White told assembled media after the Contender Series this week. “We will rematch them [Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko]. It’s the right thing to do. It’s the fight that needs to happen. We’re comfortable with where [Shevchenko is] at as far as he injury. We’re comfortable with it. She’ll probably start striking again in three months, a little less.” 

Set to undergo a surgical procedure to address a fractured thumb injury suffered in her rematch with Grasso, Shevchenko claimed that the judge’s Octagon-side at Noche UFC may have felt “pressure” at the event, due to the fact the bout took place on Mexican Independence Day.

“I think it really was 3-2 on my side,” Valentina Shevchenko explained. “But the judges, I think felt a little bit of pressure because it’s Mexican Independence Day. That’s why they give one [round] more to the Mexican fighter.” 

Do you want to see Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko fight again?

Valentina Shevchenko condemns Mike Bell’s 10-8 scorecard: ‘He’s going to live with that mistake forever’

Valentina ShevchenkoValentina Shevchenko is still fuming from her controversial split draw against Alexa Grasso at Noche UFC. On Saturday night, fans were treated to an instant classic as the flyweight greats ran back their UFC 285 clash that saw Grasso score a shocking fourth-round submission over ‘Bullet’ to claim the 125-pound title. Unfortunately, the highly entertaining […]

Valentina Shevchenko

Valentina Shevchenko is still fuming from her controversial split draw against Alexa Grasso at Noche UFC.

On Saturday night, fans were treated to an instant classic as the flyweight greats ran back their UFC 285 clash that saw Grasso score a shocking fourth-round submission over ‘Bullet’ to claim the 125-pound title. Unfortunately, the highly entertaining 25-minute sequel that fans witnessed was quickly forgotten once Octagon announced Bruce Buffer revealed that the bout was ruled a split draw.

The controversy came courtesy of a fifth-round scorecard turned in by Mike Bell who inexplicably scored the final five minutes a 10-8 in favor of Alexa Grasso. Everyone was left dumbfounded by the score, including UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby who couldn’t contain his shock once informed of the result seconds before the live crowd was clued in.

Shevchenko was understandably upset, especially considering the fact that if Mike Bell had scored the round a much more understandable 10-9 in favor of Grasso, ‘Bullet’ would be a two-time flyweight champion. Instead, the division is left in utter chaos due to the ineptitude of one incompetent judge.

“I’m very proud of what I did inside the Octagon and I do know exactly three rounds for certain… Rounds three through five were my rounds,” Shevchenko told Ariel Helwani on Monday’s episode of The MMA Hour. “I won those rounds and from the other side, I think a few things in the fight were completely unfair,” Shevchenko said. “Definitely the scorecard in the final round. In the fifth round, the 10-8. [Judge] Mike Bell did some inexplicable things and I think the whole world would love to hear an explanation. But from the other side, it’s not me. He’s going to live with that mistake forever.”

Valentina Shevchenko Says It’s Only Fair that a Trilogy Bout with Alexa Grasso Takes Place in Kyrgyzstan

Moments after the controversial scorecard was announced, Valentina Shevchenko rubbed many fans the wrong way when she suggested that the Mexican Independence Day setting likely swayed judges to favor Alexa Grasso, who was born in Guadalajara. She echoed those same sentiments during her appearance at the post-fight press event. Speaking with Helwani, ‘Bullet’ believes that in the interest of fairness, the potential trilogy bout should take place in Kyrgyzstan where she would finally have the home-field advantage.

“I think it would be fair and very right to have the next event in Kyrgyzstan on the Independence Day of Kyrgyzstan because it has to be equal,” Shevchenko said. “We cannot do Mexican Independence Day twice, right?”

The UFC has never produced an event in the Central Asian country, but in 2021, the promotion opened a brand new UFC Gym in Bishkek in hopes of seeing a massive growth in the participation of Kyrgyz athletes in mixed martial arts.

Valentina Shevchenko shocked at 10-8 round loss in Noche UFC fight: ‘I couldn’t believe that it happened’

Valentina Shevchenko shocked at 10-8 round at Noche UFC I couldn't believe itFormer undisputed flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko – amongst many others, has been left perplexed by a 10-8 round in favor of opponent, Alexa Grasso, in the fifth frame of their flyweight title rematch at Noche UFC over the course of the weekend. Shevchenko, a former undisputed flyweight champion under the banner of the promotion, fought […]

Valentina Shevchenko shocked at 10-8 round at Noche UFC I couldn't believe it

Former undisputed flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko – amongst many others, has been left perplexed by a 10-8 round in favor of opponent, Alexa Grasso, in the fifth frame of their flyweight title rematch at Noche UFC over the course of the weekend.

Shevchenko, a former undisputed flyweight champion under the banner of the promotion, fought Mexican favorite, Grasso to a split draw decision (48-47, 47-48, 47-47) in a heralded title rematch between the two – questionably dropping a 10-8 to Grasso on judge, Michael Bell’s scorecard, resulting in the pair’s split draw judging.

However, many in the mixed martial arts community have disputed the round and judging from Bell, in particular, including Shevchenko, in fact, who even went as far as to boldly claim that the judges in attendance at Noche UFC were likely pressured due to the bout taking place on Mexican Independence Day.

Valentina Shevchenko questions 10-8 round loss in Noche UFC split draw

And in the immediate aftermath of her judging draw, competitive striker, Shevchenko claimed that was entirely surprise to learn she was on the wrong side of a 10-8 round scoring in the fifth frame.

“From my experience, a 10-8 is when one fighter completely cannot do nothing,” Valentina Shevchenko told assembled media after Noche UFC. “It’s like running around waiting, looking for an escape from the Octagon, it’s miserable. In the fifth round, it was, like, four minutes or however many minutes in stand-up, and she (Alexa Grasso) didn’t land one punch. She could only take the back position in the last minute, minute and a half. I don’t remember now. But even there, it was not damage. It wasn’t too much damage to succeed with this 10-8.”

“I couldn’t believe that it happened in this fifth round,” Valentina Shevchenko said of Michael Bell’s scorecard. “It’s a 10-8? It was surprising to me, very surprising.” (Transcribed by Bloody Elbow)

As far as a potential trilogy to settle their rivalry goes, however, Shevchenko may have to weigh-up new opponents, as Grasso has already noted her interest in fresh matchups against the likes of either Erin Blanchfield, or Manon Fiorot next.

What’s next for Valentina Shevchenko after Noche UFC?

Valentina Shevchenko disputes Noche UFC result: ‘I think the judges felt pressure because it’s Mexican Independence Day’

Valentina Shevchenko claims Mexican Independence Day pressured judges at Noche UFCFormer undisputed flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko has hinted at potential bias amongst the judges scoring her championship rematch with Guadalajara native, Alexa Grasso at Noche UFC – claiming the three scoring the bout at Octagon-side were likely under “pressure” due to the fact the event took place on Mexican Independence Day. Shevchenko, a former undisputed […]

Valentina Shevchenko claims Mexican Independence Day pressured judges at Noche UFC

Former undisputed flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko has hinted at potential bias amongst the judges scoring her championship rematch with Guadalajara native, Alexa Grasso at Noche UFC – claiming the three scoring the bout at Octagon-side were likely under “pressure” due to the fact the event took place on Mexican Independence Day.

Shevchenko, a former undisputed flyweight champion under the banner of the promotion, headlined Noche UFC last night in Las Vegas, Nevada, battling to a close, debated split draw decision (48-47, 47-48, 47-47) against Grasso over the course of five rounds – as the Mexican retained her flyweight title as a result.

Turning in a hearted title challenge in her immediate championship re-run, Shevchenko dropped a 10-8 round in the fifth and final frame to Grasso, according to a scorecard submitted by judge, Michael Bell.

Valentina Shevchenko claims bias in the aftermath of her Noche UFC draw with Alexa Grasso

And reacting to that scorecard, in particular, Kyrgyzstan native, Shevchenko despite the judging as “completely unfair”.

“I think three rounds I won, two rounds maybe was her (Alexa Grasso),” Valentina Shevchenko told assembled media after Noche UFC. “But I feel the 10-8 in the fifth round, it’s completely unfair.”

“I think it really was 3-2 on my side,” Valentina Shevchenko explained. “But the judges, I think felt a little bit of pressure because it’s Meixcan Independence Day. That’s why they give one [round] more to the Mexican fighter.” 

Chomping at the bit to compete for the flyweight title in a potential trilogy fight with Grasso, Shevchenko’s hopes may be quashed already, with the defending champion and pound-for-pound number one claiming she would be interested in fresh matchups against the likes of Manon Fiorot, or the surging Erin Blanchfield. 

“It’s an interesting question,” Alexa Grasso said of a trilogy with Valentina Shevchenko whilst speaking with assembled media after Noche UFC. “I wouldn’t like to stop the division. You know, there’s a lot of girls fighting a lot, you know, to have this opportunity like I did. So I don’t like to stop it – it all depends on the UFC.”

“If they want a trilogy, let’s do this,” Alexa Grasso explained. “I know how it is to be fighting all the time and to wait for your spot, and I wouldn’t like to just stop the division.”

Would you like to see Valentina Shevchenko fight Alexa Grasso again?

Valentina Shevchenko disputes Noche UFC result: ‘I think the judges felt pressure because it’s Mexican Independence Day’

Valentina Shevchenko claims Mexican Independence Day pressured judges at Noche UFCFormer undisputed flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko has hinted at potential bias amongst the judges scoring her championship rematch with Guadalajara native, Alexa Grasso at Noche UFC – claiming the three scoring the bout at Octagon-side were likely under “pressure” due to the fact the event took place on Mexican Independence Day. Shevchenko, a former undisputed […]

Valentina Shevchenko claims Mexican Independence Day pressured judges at Noche UFC

Former undisputed flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko has hinted at potential bias amongst the judges scoring her championship rematch with Guadalajara native, Alexa Grasso at Noche UFC – claiming the three scoring the bout at Octagon-side were likely under “pressure” due to the fact the event took place on Mexican Independence Day.

Shevchenko, a former undisputed flyweight champion under the banner of the promotion, headlined Noche UFC last night in Las Vegas, Nevada, battling to a close, debated split draw decision (48-47, 47-48, 47-47) against Grasso over the course of five rounds – as the Mexican retained her flyweight title as a result.

Turning in a hearted title challenge in her immediate championship re-run, Shevchenko dropped a 10-8 round in the fifth and final frame to Grasso, according to a scorecard submitted by judge, Michael Bell.

Valentina Shevchenko claims bias in the aftermath of her Noche UFC draw with Alexa Grasso

And reacting to that scorecard, in particular, Kyrgyzstan native, Shevchenko despite the judging as “completely unfair”.

“I think three rounds I won, two rounds maybe was her (Alexa Grasso),” Valentina Shevchenko told assembled media after Noche UFC. “But I feel the 10-8 in the fifth round, it’s completely unfair.”

“I think it really was 3-2 on my side,” Valentina Shevchenko explained. “But the judges, I think felt a little bit of pressure because it’s Meixcan Independence Day. That’s why they give one [round] more to the Mexican fighter.” 

Chomping at the bit to compete for the flyweight title in a potential trilogy fight with Grasso, Shevchenko’s hopes may be quashed already, with the defending champion and pound-for-pound number one claiming she would be interested in fresh matchups against the likes of Manon Fiorot, or the surging Erin Blanchfield. 

“It’s an interesting question,” Alexa Grasso said of a trilogy with Valentina Shevchenko whilst speaking with assembled media after Noche UFC. “I wouldn’t like to stop the division. You know, there’s a lot of girls fighting a lot, you know, to have this opportunity like I did. So I don’t like to stop it – it all depends on the UFC.”

“If they want a trilogy, let’s do this,” Alexa Grasso explained. “I know how it is to be fighting all the time and to wait for your spot, and I wouldn’t like to just stop the division.”

Would you like to see Valentina Shevchenko fight Alexa Grasso again?