Alexa Grasso vs Valentina Shevchenko Was An AWESOME Fight That Ended Via Confusing Draw
What a main event to headline that UFC Noche card, and what a shame it ended via DRAW! Nobody's happy with a draw ever in MMA!
Valentina Shevchenko vs Alexa Grasso just had all the drama you'd ever want out of a main event at the T-Mobile Arena, though. It went back and forth for all five rounds, featured moments where each woman appeared on the verge of earning a submission, and even a HUGE knockdown from the young champ!
It was super close going into the championship rounds, but to me, it felt like Shevchenko was on her way to regaining that UFC Women's Flyweight Championship momentum-wise. Grasso listened to the crowd and dug deep in the fifth, however, and snatched Valentina's back much like she did in their first fight!
She didn't squeeze the air outta Shevchenko like she did back in March, but she DID end the fight dominantly, which was GREAT optics-wise....
….and as it turns out - that performance from Grasso in the fifth made sure she kept her title.
When scorecards were read, we found out that one judge scored the fight for Grasso, one judge scored it for Shevchenko, and one judge scored it a DRAW - giving Grasso a 10-8 round in the fifth.
I disagree with that judge, personally (Alexa Grasso definitely won the fifth but wasn't close enough to a finish to justify that) but honestly, I thought that fight was so good I want to see a rematch instantly; and if a draw helps that, so be it.
I say you run it back in Mexico in early 2024. That crowd was ELECTRIC tonight, and would only be crazier in Mexico City or something.
P.S. Are people talking about the cover curse already? First Stylebender loses his title, then Valentina fails to regain hers….
