Alexa Grasso silences many and defies the odds, becoming the first-ever female Mexican UFC Champion at UFC 285.
Round 1
A patient start sees both women tentatively engaging at range. Valentine Shevchenko is content to fight at a distance and use her kicks to keep the boxing of Alexa Grasso at bay. Grasso gets in close and lands a nice two-punch combination as she exits. Another left-hand lands which seems to shake Shevchenko.
Valentina attempts to make inroads with her kick but the high guard of Grasso prevents any strikes from getting to their targets. Grasso sees a takedown opportunity and gets Valentina down who bounces straight back up. Round one is the kicks of the champ versus the boxing of the contender.
Round 2
Alexa’s confidence has grown after an impressive first from the contender. She enters and looks to strike in close but Valentina uses her momentum against her and takes the fight to the canvas. From the guard, she gets the side control and looks to secure the arms in a crucifix position. Grasso does an amazing job to spin off the fence and get back to her feet.
Alexa gets more aggressive towards the end of the round and does well with her boxing. As she gets in close a second time Shevchenko takes her down and works on the ground.
Round 3
Alexa steps forward and each woman unleashes in an exchange that sees blows land but nothing to hurt the other. Shevchenko is finding better success now as she appears to have timed the Grasso flurries with her jab.
Around the midway point of the round, Valentina gets her third takedown of the fight. Grass leaves her guard closed and begins to throw punches to stay active off her back. Despite Shevchenko landing blows from the top Jason Herzog steps in and calls the fight back to the feet.
Not wanting to give away her clear advantage on the ground, Valentina takes the fight right back to the mat. The round ends with Grasso attempting a guillotine but the bell prevents it from causing any potential harm.
Round 4
Grasso seems to have adjusted slightly for the takedowns. As Shevchenko shoots, Alexa catches her in the act and defends well. Valentina is content to maintain the outside, throwing both jabs and kicks in an attempt to prevent the flurries of Grasso.
Adjustments from both women have slowed the other’s early main area of success. For Shevchenko, the jab has slowed Grasso’s boxing on the inside and for Grasso, a lowering of her level has made defending takedowns easier.
As Shevchenko spins to land a kick, Grasso sees an opening and takes the back quickly, locking in the choke. Not fully in Alexa Grasso squeezes with all her might and locks in the choke. After 20 seconds of agony, Shevchenko taps and relinquishes her title.
The stoppage comes at 4:44 seconds of round number four.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
