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UFC flyweight champion Alexa Grasso tops pound for pound rankings following Amanda Nunes’ retirement

Undisputed flyweight champion, Alexa Grasso has officially landed as the number one pound-for-pound in the female pile, clinching top spot off the back of former two-weight champion, Amanda Nunes’ retirement from combat sports earlier this month. Grasso, the current undisputed flyweight champion, last featured in the co-main event of UFC 285 back in March at […]

Grasso, the current undisputed flyweight champion, last featured in the co-main event of UFC 285 back in March at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada – landing the undisputed flyweight championship with a fourth round neck crank submission win over former champion, Valentina Shevchenko.

The Jalisco fan-favorite improved her undefeated run at the flyweight limit to five consecutive outings at the weight class, having earned her title fight with Shevchenko off the back of successive wins over Kim Ji-Yeon, Maycee Barber, Joanne Wood, and Viviane Araujo.

Alexa Grasso moves to the pound-for-pound number one spot in the UFC rankings

And per The Underground reporter, John Morgan, Alexa Grasso has drafted into the number one spot in the official female pound-for-pound rankings, off the back of the above-mentioned, Nunes’ retirement following UFC 289.

“It’s official:” Morgan tweeted. “@AlexaGrasso is now the UFC’s number one pound-for-pound female fighter. With Amanda Nunes removed from the latest #UFC rankings update following her retirement, Grasso takes the top position on the pound-for-pound list.”

It's official: @AlexaGrasso is now the UFC's No. 1 pound-for-pound female fighter.

With Amanda Nunes removed from the latest #UFC rankings update following her retirement, Grasso takes the top position on the pound-for-pound list.

More: https://t.co/iFUXp1YuFt pic.twitter.com/jPXQqMSZiw

— John Morgan (@JohnMorgan_MMA) June 20, 2023

Yet to be booked to make her first attempted defense of the flyweight crown, Guadalajara fan-favorite, Grasso, who joined both featherweight and flyweight counterparts, Yair Rodríguez and Brandon Moreno as champions hailing from Mexico, has been linked with an end-of-year Octagon return.

Expected to rematch Shevchenko in an immediate title defense next, Alexa Grasso has been tied to a potential comeback fight at an event in September, with UFC president, Dana White confirming that the promotion were working on the pairing.

16-3 as a professional, prior to her flyweight move, Grasso would land wins over the likes of Randa Markos, and former title challenger, Karolina Kowalkiewicz at the strawweight limit.

Irene Aldana tipped to shock the world against Amanda Nunes at UFC 289: ‘We can shock her’

Irene Aldana’s jiu-jitsu coach, Diego Lopes, believes she can shock the world against Amanda Nunes, just as Alexa Grasso did with her fourth-round submission against Valentina Shevchenko in March. Aldana will head to the Great White North on June 10 for her first crack at UFC gold as she is set to challenge reigning two-division […]

Irene Aldana’s jiu-jitsu coach, Diego Lopes, believes she can shock the world against Amanda Nunes, just as Alexa Grasso did with her fourth-round submission against Valentina Shevchenko in March.

Aldana will head to the Great White North on June 10 for her first crack at UFC gold as she is set to challenge reigning two-division titleholder Amanda Nunes for the women’s bantamweight world championship. A winner in four of her last five matchups, Aldana stepped up to the plate after Nunes’ originally scheduled opponent, Julianna Pena, was forced to withdraw due to an injury. Despite the somewhat short-notice nature of their pairing, Aldana’s coach is confident that the Mexican-born striker can get the job done and follow in the footsteps of another one of his pupils, Alexa Grasso.

“Amanda is a tough fight for anyone in the division,” Lopes said on a recent episode of MMA Fighting’s Trocação Franca podcast. “We know she’s the best in the division, but I think our team is used to fighting that, like Alexa did with Valentina. Everybody saw Valentina as unbeatable, and we went there and did our job to win the fight.”

In addition to working with Irene Aldana, Diego Lopes was also in the corner of Alexa Grasso the night she tapped out Valentina Shevchenko to capture the 125-pound crown. The well-respected BJJ coach suggested that history could repeat itself at UFC 289 and bring Mexico its fourth UFC title this year.

“I think we can surprise Amanda like that,” Lopes said of Aldana’s chances. “To go in there and show something Amanda hasn’t faced yet, which is the level of boxing Irene has, to surprise her and bring the second [UFC] belt to the team and the fourth to Mexico.”

What’s Next For Alexa Grasso Following Her Historic Victory Against Valentina Shevchenko?

While Diego Lopes has his hands full preparing Irene Aldana for the biggest opportunity of her mixed martial arts career thus far, he expects to know what the future holds for newly crowned flyweight titleholder Alexa Grasso before long. The likeliest scenario is an immediate rematch with former champion Valentina Shevchenko, but it’s possible that rising contenders Manon Fiorot or Erin Blanchfield could sneak in and score their own title opportunity. No matter the case, Grasso and her team will be ready for whatever the promotion presents.

“It really depends on what the UFC has in mind for Alexa,” Lopes said. “We’ll be ready to fight any opponent the UFC gives us.”

Lopes will also have his eyes locked on two big impending title tilts featuring Mexico’s finest during International Fight Week in July. Brandon Moreno will defend his UFC flyweight world title against Alexandre Pantoja in a rematch more than five years in the making. The bout will co-headline UFC 290 on July 8 alongside a featherweight championship unification bout as undisputed king Alexander ‘The Great’ Volkanovski will look to unify his title against interim titleholder Yair Rodriguez.

“I’ll be watching them, especially Yair’s fight with Volkanovski, because I like to watch every fighter in my division and see at what level they are,” said Lopes, who impressed in his UFC debut earlier this month in a hard-fought decision loss to 17-0 talent Movsar Evloev. “It’s a hard fight, and it might be surprising. Yair could win, but Volkanovski could dominate the fight. I think it’s going to be very dynamic, and will go down to the small details.

“[Moreno vs. Pantoja] will be very interesting because Pantoja already beat Brandon twice, once on [The Ultimate Fighter] and then in the UFC, so let’s see what they bring to the table now. I had the opportunity to train with Brandon a few times and see his evolution. It’s going to be a very tough fight and we stay on the fence — having trained with Brandon and having a friendship with him, I hope he gets to defends the belt and keep it in Mexico because the country is working really hard for years to get to this point.”

Valentina Shevchenko confirmed to fight for UFC title in rematch with Alexa Grasso: ‘We’re working on that’

UFC president, Dana White has confirmed that former undisputed flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko will return to the Octagon in an immediate title re-run with newly-minted gold holder, Alexa Grasso next – with rumors suggesting a potential Mexico return for the promotion could be on the cards in September. Shevchenko, who has enjoyed a dominant run […]

Shevchenko, who has enjoyed a dominant run throughout flyweight competition as the division’s undisputed champion, dropped her title in spectacular fashion in the co-main event of UFC 285 back in March, suffering a fourth round neck crank submission loss to Guadalajara challenger, Grasso.

Noting her intentions to score an immediate championship rematch with Mexican favorite, Grasso before the close of the year in her return to the Octagon – Shevchenko also took umbrage with referring decisions from official, Jason Herzog during the co-main event title fight.

Offering the Kyrgyzstan native the opportunity to challenge for flyweight gold in a targeted Mexico homecoming, Grasso may have that potential return home on the cards, with rumors suggesting the UFC is en route to a return to the country, as soon as September.

Dana White confirms Valentina Shevchenko lands immediate title rematch

And according to UFC leader, White, a matchup of Grasso and Shevchenko will take place next, most definitely.

“We’re working on that [a fight between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko], too,” Dana White confirmed while speaking to assembled media following UFC Vegas 73. “That’s one of the fights we’re definitely working on right now.”

Prior to her stunning submission loss, Shevchenko, a former bantamweight title challenger had landed a series of successful flyweight title knockbacks against Jessica Eye, Liz Carmouche, Katlyn Chookagian, Jennifer Maia, Jessica Andrade, Lauren Murphy, and Taila Santos.

Shevchenko landed vacant spoils in a one-sided decision victory over former undisputed strawweight champion, Joanna Jedrzejczyk back in December 2018.

Valentina Shevchenko fearful of biased judging, refereeing in UFC title rematch with Alexa Grasso

Valentina Shevchenko wants an immediate rematch with Alexa Grasso, but wants to make sure there is fair officiating In an interview with Ariel Helwani of The MMA Hour, Shevchenko spoke about a potential fight in Grasso’s home country. “I am right now in the position to not say ‘Oh no, Mexico, I can’t go’…No, I […]

Valentina Shevchenko wants an immediate rematch with Alexa Grasso, but wants to make sure there is fair officiating

In an interview with Ariel Helwani of The MMA Hour, Shevchenko spoke about a potential fight in Grasso’s home country.

“I am right now in the position to not say ‘Oh no, Mexico, I can’t go’…No, I will definitely go to where the UFC puts the event,” Valentina Shevchenko said. “For me, [it’s] most important to know that the judges and the referees are good in this fight, that they’re not leaning towards one side or another side.”

Shevchenko, one of the greatest fighters of all-time, lost the flyweight title to Grasso in early March at UFC 285. The 35-year-old also claimed referee Jason Herzog’s decisions in the fight may have affected her performance.

Grasso, who was a massive underdog from Guadalajara, Mexico, submitted Valentina Shevchenko in the fourth round of their fight. It was the first submission loss in the Kyrgyzstan native’s legendary career.

Valentina Shevchenko is Open to Fighting Alexa Grasso in Mexico

“The Bullet” isn’t shying away from a rematch in enemy territory.

“For me, there is nothing better than to hear the full silence of the crowd when they cannot support their fighter because I understand there is nothing they can do,” She said.

Before losing at UFC 285, Shevchenko (23-4) was on a nine-fight unbeaten streak and defended the flyweight title seven times. Her fighting resume includes wins over former champions Joanna J?drzejczyk, Julianna Peña and Holly Holm, to name a very select few.

Grasso, the first Mexican-born women’s UFC champion, has won five fights in a row. The 29-year-old has been outspoken about granting her most recent opponent an immediate title rematch on Mexican Independence Day on Sept. 16.

Despite Grasso’s interest, UFC president Dana White shot down plans for a 2023 event in Mexico. UFC 188 was the last pay-per-view in Mexico.

The former champion is certainly looking to reclaim UFC gold sooner rather than later.

Valentina Shevchenko claims referee Jason Herzog may have affected UFC 285 title loss to Alexa Grasso

Former undisputed UFC flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko claims referee, Jason Herzog may have negatively affected her bid to defend her championship against Alexa Grasso at UFC 285 earlier this month, criticizing the official for some “actions” which led to fatigue for her later in the fight. Shevchenko, a former bantamweight title challenger and now a […]

Shevchenko, a former bantamweight title challenger and now a former undisputed flyweight championship holder, attempted to notch her stunning eighth defense of the 125lbs crown, however, saw her run snapped by Mexican favorite, Grasso.

Establishing a comfortable lead on all three judges scorecards, in the fourth round, a miscued spinning back kick attempt from Shevchenko, resulted in the 35-year-old giving up her back to Grasso, who subsequently lept on and dragged the Krgysztan native to the Octagon canvas.

Hand fighting for some time, Shevchenko was eventually submitted with a taut neck crank from Grasso, who handed the former her first promotional loss since a September 2017 rematch loss to two-weight champion, Amanda Nunes, as well as her first defeat in 10 outings at the flyweight limit.

Immediately clamoring for a title rematch with Grasso – which the newly-crowned champion is expected to honor, Shevchenko claims some of her tiredness and lethargy in the first championship round could be chalked up to some actions from referee, Herzog.

“It’s hard to say I shouldn’t throw that spinning back kick,” Valentina Shevchenko said on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani. “It’s a very powerful kick – it’s a very strong kick. I’ve done so many knockouts with this spinning back kick. It’s just the situation. It’s the fourth round and you feel not as fresh as the first round, and some actions of the referee could have provoked this tiredness that I felt during the fourth round. It’s the situation.”

“Definitely, it’s an error, it’s a mistake, but at the same time, it’s hard to say, ‘Oh my God, this is a huge, huge mistake.’” Valentina Shevchenko explained. “Definitely it’s huge because it’s a loss, but it’s not something that I cannot deal [with, or it] will bring me so much down and I will be upset.”

Valentina Shevchenko targets summer title rematch with Alexa Grasso

While the newly-minted flyweight best, Grasso offered to rematch Shevchenko as soon as September – in a now-unlikely return to her native Mexico for a title defense, the former champion has campaigned for a re-run as soon as the summer, in fact.

“I hope the UFC will come and schedule the fight very soon,” Valentina Shevchenko said. “I’m not expecting the fight itself very soon, but I’m hoping it will be scheduled soon. Then I will have a date and it will be a goal, and I will slowly and surely start my way to come back.”

Dana White doubtful of UFC Mexico event this year: ‘I don’t know if it’s in the plans’

Despite boasting three promotional championships from Mexico, UFC president, Dana White has confirmed it is unlikely the Octagon returns to the country any time soon, also shutting down a Cinco De Mayo event to boot. The UFC, who have yet to venture to Mexico since hosting a UFC Fight Night Mexico City card back in […]

The UFC, who have yet to venture to Mexico since hosting a UFC Fight Night Mexico City card back in September 2019, saw that event end in less than ideal fashion, with a headliner between hometown favorite, Yair Rodriguez and Jeremy Stephens halted due to an opening minute eye poke

Initially claiming the organization would not be returning to the region for a UFC Mexico event, due to crowd trouble following the official ‘No Contest‘ – fans have clamored for a return ever since the crowning of three UFC champions from Mexico.

Firstly, undisputed flyweight kingpin, Brandon Moreno reclaimed his crown with a doctor’s stoppage TKO win over Deiveson Figueiredo in Brazil at UFC 283 in January.

Then, the above-mentioned, Rodriguez struck interim featherweight gold the following month with a submission win against Josh Emmett.

And earlier this month, Lobo Gym staple, Alexa Grasso turned in a huge upset to dethrone Valentina Shevchenko at flyweight, clinching the crown with her own submission victory.

UFC Mexico return unlikely for 2023 schedule

However, despite the emergence of generational talent from Mexico in the form of three Octagon champions, UFC boss, White does not see a return to the country in the near future for UFC Mexico.

“We would obviously love to get back to Mexico and do that [a UFC Mexico card in the country], but I don’t know if it’s in the plans right now,” Dana White told assembled media following UFC San Antonio. We’re building a PI (Performance Institute) down there right now, and wait until you guys see that.”

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“We got three Mexican champions,” Dana White continued. “We probably should he heading to Mexico – or at least be doing a Cinco De Mayo [event], but that didn’t work out either.”