Alexa Grasso on her flyweight title victory: ‘It was not an accident’

Alexa Grasso holds nothing but respect for Valentina Shevchenko.

The former women’s flyweight champion, Shevchenko had won nine consecutive fights until Grasso snapped that streak with a submission victory that won her the women’s flyweight title this past March at UFC 285.

“Valentina has done so much for the sport,” said Grasso. “Look what she did for the flyweight division. It’s an honor to be in the Octagon with her.”

A fight card celebrating Mexican Independence Day, this Saturday’s Noche UFC takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and is headlined by Grasso defending the flyweight title against Shevchenko. It offers a chance for Shevchenko (23-4) to reclaim her throne, or an opportunity for Grasso to begin a lengthy title reign.

Grasso (16-3) presents legitimate problems for Shevchenko. Her combination of jiu-jitsu and striking are constant threats. Though Shevchenko held a slight advantage through the first three rounds in their last bout, it was Grasso who took Shevchenko’s neck in the fourth and forced her to submit.

“She makes me better,” said Grasso. “I know she’s training hard. That makes me work even harder to improve. I love that challenge.”

March 4, 2023

UFC 285

Alexa Grasso defeats Valentina Shevchenko
via Submission (face crank) at 4:34 of Round 4 pic.twitter.com/ff9UvlS0aq
— Ocelot MMA (@Ocelot_MMA) September 11, 2023

Shevchenko is adamant that one mistake cost her the title. But Grasso views their fight differently, crediting the victory to a calculated, disciplined approach.

“It was not an accident,” said Grasso. “I worked for it, and I’m going to do it again.”

A native of Guadalajara, Grasso is also honored to represent Mexico on a national holiday. This will be her first defense of the title, which is now a custom-made belt.

“I’m doing everything in my power to win it,” said Grasso. “It’s a very special date on Mexican Independence Day, and I get to be in the main event.

“I have a major responsibility as champion. I am in a position where I can tell girls to follow their dreams. And that is what I am doing. I tell girls that as long as they are 100 percent committed, they can do anything. Having that opportunity as champion means the world to me, and I’m going to fight to keep it that way.”