Alexa Grasso produces shock upset against Valentina Shevchenko to win UFC title

Grasso won the UFC women’s flyweight title by tapping out titleholder Shevcheko in the fourth round after being down on the scorecards

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 04: (R-L) Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan punches Alexa Grasso of Mexico in the UFC flyweight championship fight during the UFC 285 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 04, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Alexa Grasso produced shock upset against Valentina Shevchenko to win the UFC women’s flyweight title

Shevchenko landed the first big punches of the fight as she connected with a left hook and spinning back-fist before narrowly missing a wheel kick. The Las Vegas crowd were split as chants of “Mexico” and “Valentina” echoed around the T-Mobile Arena in the opening round. Grasso showed she was no slouch on the feet by snapping the head back of Shevchenko with some great jabs early on.

After a close first round,, Shevcheko opened the second stanza by taking Grasso down and she worked towards a crucifix position. Grasso was defending well by not taking many punches on the ground and the Mexican did a good job of eventually getting back to her feet. The tentative exchanges then resumed on the feet as Shevchenko picked her shots at range and took Grasso down again as the round came to a close.

Valentina Shevchenko and Alexa Grasso in action

Fans were getting frustrated with the lack of action as Shevchenko took Grasso down again the third round but didn’t land many strikes from the top position. Referee Jason Herzog stood the fighters up but Shevchenko wasted no time in getting Grasso the mat again and came close to wrapping up a rear-naked choke, with Grasso reversing the position moments later to threaten a choke of her own.

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