Alexa Grasso makes history with upset win over UFC champion Valentina Shevchenko - Hindustan Times
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Mexican fighter Alexa Grasso makes history with upset win over UFC champion Valentina Shevchenko

Edited by Paurush Omar
Mar 05, 2023 06:54 PM IST

Grasso made a statement early on in the fight with a few brutal punches that troubled the champion, but it was her submission move in the fourth round, a rear-naked choke, that secured her victory

It was a historic night in the UFC as Alexa Grasso made a name for herself by defeating Valentina Shevchenko, who held a nine-fight winning streak in the women's flyweight division. The Mexican-born fighter became the first of her country to win a UFC championship.

Alexa Grasso of Mexico fights Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan in the UFC flyweight championship fight during the UFC 285 event at T-Mobile Arena.(Getty Images via AFP)
Alexa Grasso of Mexico fights Valentina Shevchenko of Kyrgyzstan in the UFC flyweight championship fight during the UFC 285 event at T-Mobile Arena.(Getty Images via AFP)

Grasso made a statement early on in the fight with a few brutal punches that troubled the champion, but it was her submission move in the fourth round, a rear-naked choke, that secured her victory.

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"Grasso has shocked the world," exclaimed commentator Jon Anik. "Alexa Grasso has stopped the reign."

Post-fight, Grasso said, "This moment feels like I'm dreaming...I've dreamed of this moment for so long."

Grasso revealed that the victory was no fluke, and she had actually trained hard to take the champion's spinning kicks. "I trained it so hard, like never before in my life," she said.

The challenger had the bigger moments in the first round, wobbling Shevchenko with a three-punch combination. Shevchenko responded with a takedown in the second round, but Grasso was able to get back to her feet, boosting her confidence.

Despite being taken down twice more in the fight, Grasso continued to take the fight to Shevchenko, and her training paid off when she capitalized on the champion's spinning back and got the rear-naked choke in the fourth round.

The fight was not without controversy, as referee Jason Herzog made the fighters stand up, even though Shevchenko had landed a decent shot just before. Herzog also missed an illegal shot from Grasso on the ground.

Also read | UFC 285 Highlights: Jon Jones enters history books with heavyweight title, Alexa Grasso lifts women's flyweight crown

However, none of that mattered in the end as Grasso secured her victory, shocking the world and making history in the process.

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