Valentina Shevchenko shuts out Alexa Grasso to reclaim UFC title

LAS VEGAS — The primary trilogy in UFC girls’s historical past got here to its conclusion on Saturday, and it was Valentina Shevchenko who loved the final snigger.

Shevchenko (24-4-1) reclaimed her flyweight title by defeating Alexa Grasso (16-4-1) by way of unanimous determination at UFC 306 inside Sphere. It was the third consecutive title struggle between Shevchenko and Grasso, courting again to March 2023. Grasso took the belt from Shevchenko within the first assembly in a large upset by determination. The second bout led to a majority draw one 12 months in the past.

The ultimate act proved to be surprisingly one-sided. Shevchenko, 35, executed a really grappling-heavy sport plan, as she took Grasso down in every of the 5 rounds en path to unanimous 50-45 scores.

Based on UFC Stats, Grasso managed to land solely 18 vital strikes. Shevchenko had greater than 16 minutes of management time on the bottom within the 25-minute struggle.

“It is a dream come true combating within the Sphere,” Shevchenko stated. “All the pieces about this struggle was extra satisfying [than the last one]. The sport plan was to go in there and struggle to the top.”

It was an evening of vindication for Shevchenko, who adamantly stated she felt she received the rematch in September 2023. Shevchenko would have received that bout had one decide not scored the ultimate spherical a 10-8 for Grasso, which is what led to the bulk draw outcome. Though Grasso clearly received the fifth spherical, many questioned whether or not it was dominant sufficient to advantage a 10-8 rating.

Shevchenko left little doubt on Saturday, primarily neutralizing Grasso’s offense. She expertly picked at her from lengthy vary on the toes, earlier than taking pictures in on well-timed takedowns. Grasso surrendered eight of 12 takedown makes an attempt and struggled to work again to her toes. She did threaten Shevchenko with a handful of submissions off her again, together with a good guillotine within the fourth spherical, however could not end any off.

The gang booed the shortage of motion within the co-main occasion at occasions, however that did nothing to dampen Shevchenko’s spirits. She appeared emotional as the ultimate bell sounded. She had held the 125-pound title for practically 4 years when Grasso took it from her in 2022.

Initially born in Kyrgyzstan, Shevchenko is taken into account one of many best fighters of all time. She had by no means gone winless in back-to-back appearances in MMA till the bulk draw to Grasso. She’s going to probably face French No. 1 contender Manon Fiorot in her subsequent title protection.