Grasso Retains Title After Split Decision Draw Over Shevchenko
Alexa Grasso retains title after split decision draw over Shevchenko. Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko engaged in a highly intense confrontation on Saturday, contending for the prestigious UFC women's flyweight championship in the primary spectacle of Noche UFC.
Author:David MitchellReviewer:Daniel ClarkSep 18, 20235.9K Shares88.1K Views
Alexa Grasso retains title after split decision draw over Shevchenko. Alexa Grassoand Valentina Shevchenko engaged in a highly intense confrontation on Saturday, contending for the prestigious UFC women's flyweight championship in the primary spectacle of Noche UFC.
This event was specifically curated to commemorate Mexican Independence Day. However, the highly anticipated bout concluded in a deeply unsatisfying manner as the judges declared a split draw. Junichiro Kamijo scored the bout 48-47 in favor of Grasso.
Sal D'Amato's scoring was in favor of Shevchenko, with a score of 48-47. Mike Bell assessed the score as 47-47, indicating a tie. Based on the assessment of the four preceding rounds, the individual in question had determined that Shevchenko was leading with a score of three rounds to one. However, the last round was scored 10-8 in favor of Grasso, resulting in a tie.
This outcome resulted in a split draw, ultimately allowing the reigning champion, Grasso, to retain the championship title. The audience displayed an enthusiastic engagement with the battle right from its inception, while the female participants shown a wholehearted commitment to the competition.
In the third round, Shevchenko made many attempts to submit Grasso, which Grasso successfully defended against. In the final round, Shevchenko initially had a favorable position, although Grasso successfully executed a takedown and effectively capitalized on it by delivering impactful strikes from the ground.
Additionally, she effectively employed submission techniques, effectively neutralizing Shevchenko's offensive maneuvers throughout the concluding phase of the bout.
The event concluded a noteworthy evening and included one of the most exceptional women's championship bouts in recent history within the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
The combatants engaged in a series of exchanges, whereby the balance of power oscillated many times. Both combatants performed commendably, nevertheless, Shevchenko expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome.
“„In a fair competition, victory would be mine.- Alexa Grasso
The altercation had characteristics of a contentious encounter, resulting in the inevitable displeasure of one party. However, on this occasion, the majority of individuals expressed their discontent with Bell due to the equitable outcome.
The Rivalry
Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko's rivalry may require a trilogy. On Saturday night, Grasso and Shevchenko battled to a split draw (48-47, 47-48, 47-47) in the main event of Noche UFC at T-Mobile Arena.
As a consequence of the outcome, Grasso will retain her UFC women's flyweight championship. This was a direct rematch after Grasso won the championship six months earlier by defeating Shevchenko.
The battle was back and forth. Shevchenko was knocked out in the second round by Grasso. In the third round, Shevchenko nearly ended Grasso with a mounted guillotine choke. The battle concluded with Grasso throwing blows at Shevchenko's back.
The event marked the UFC's inaugural commemoration of Mexican Independence Day. The predominantly Mexican and Mexican-American audience booed Shevchenko and the outcome of the fight.
Judge Mike Bell scored Grasso 10-8 in the fifth round, resulting in the draw. He predicted Shevchenko would win the first, third, and fourth rounds, and Grasso would win the second and fifth.
Grasso was declared the winner by Judge Junichiro Kamijo, with victories in the second, fourth, and fifth rounds. Shevchenko was declared the winner by Judge Sal D'Amato, with victories in the first, third, and fourth rounds.
Shevchenko was placed second in the women's pound-for-pound rankings by ESPN, with Grasso ranked third. Grasso (16-3-1) has won six straight fights after stepping up to flyweight from strawweight.
Final Words
The 30-year-old Guadalajara native has an 8-3-1 UFC record. She was the first UFC champion to train largely in Mexico, holding camps in her birthplace at Lobo Gym under the tutelage of her coach and uncle, Francisco "Pancho" Grasso.
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David Mitchell
Author
David Mitchell is a versatile writer at Tennessee Independent, specializing in news, sports, and player profiles. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, David brings a unique perspective to his articles, covering a wide range of topics that resonate with readers. His expertise in these areas ensures that readers receive insightful and engaging content, making him a valuable asset to the Tennessee Independent team.
Daniel Clark
Reviewer
Daniel Clark is an experienced author at Tennessee Independent, renowned for delivering insightful articles with a professional approach. With a focus on factual accuracy and authoritative insights, Daniel covers a wide range of topics, providing valuable information and engaging narratives. His expertise in areas such as performance, player profiles, and current events ensures that readers receive trustworthy and informative content. Daniel's commitment to delivering well-researched articles makes him a reliable source for expert perspectives on Tennessee Independent.
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