After pulling off one of the biggest upsets of the year at UFC 285 to dethrone Valentina Shevchenko, Mexican Women's Flyweight champion, Alexa Grasso defends her title in a rematch with the former champion. The pair headline the UFC Fight Night 227 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, one of the year's most anticipated fights. Grasso has expressed surprise at the attitude of Shevchenko in reducing her loss simply to the mistakes she made rather than the efforts of her conqueror.
MMA: UFC Women's Flyweight Championship
Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Where to watch: ESPN+
Date: 17.09.2023. 6.00
Alexa Grasso
The Mexican champ debuted in the UFC in 2016. Alexa Grasso began her UFC career at Strawweight but later found the Flyweight class more comfortable. Riding a four-match winning streak, she entered the octagon as a heavy underdog against Valentina Shevchenko last March. After a reasonable first three rounds, the Mexican striker got a few shots in during an exchange in the fourth and then got under the chin of Shevchenko. She tightened the choke, and while Shevchenko struggled for a while, the former champ eventually tapped out for the submission.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 30
- Height: 5' 5"
- Reach: 66"
- Record: 16-3
Valentina Shevchenko
The 35-year-old veteran is a true martial arts icon. A decorated Kickboxer, professional Muay Thai practitioner, and boxer, Valentina Shevchenko is also a grappler and judoka. Coming from a family of professional athletes, the Kyrgyzstani fighter started competing in her teens. She debuted in the UFC in 2015, and her dominance of the women's game can be traced to her knowledge of many martial arts. She holds many records in UFC women's MMA, including the most consecutive title defenses in the UFC Women's Flyweight division, which was stopped at seven when she lost the title to Alexa Grasso.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 35
- Height: 5' 5"
- Reach: 66.5"
- Record: 23-4
Betting Odds
The champ is still the underdog in this rematch at 2.43 odds on Bet9ja. Valentina Shevchenko is priced at 1.58 to win the bout on Bet9ja. Fight to go the distance is priced at 1.80 odds on Bet365. A bet that the fight will end inside the distance is available at 1.86, also on Bet 365. Alexa Grasso to win by decision is priced at 5.45 odds on 1XBET, with the challenger to regain the title by decision available at 2.68 on 1XBET.