Alexa Grasso made historical past on Saturday as she submitted flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 285, turning into the third Mexican-born champion within the UFC this yr. The battle was a detailed contest, with Grasso proving to be a worthy challenger all through. Shevchenko gave the impression to be in management till Grasso capitalized on a single mistake and submitted the champion with a rear-naked choke on the 4:34 mark of the fourth spherical.
Grasso, who was a 6-to-1 underdog, known as the second a dream come true. “Please punch me, I really feel like I am dreaming,” Grasso mentioned. “I have been dreaming for this second for thus lengthy.” The win was an enormous upset and ranks because the sixth largest upset in a UFC title battle within the final 15 years.
Shevchenko was gracious in defeat, acknowledging that one mistake can change the entire recreation. “You are profitable the battle throughout, little doubt, and a single state of affairs can change the entire thing. That is a part of the sport. Congratulations to Alexa,” she mentioned. She known as for a right away rematch after the consequence was learn.
The win marks a big second within the historical past of Mexican MMA. Brandon Moreno turned the first-ever Mexican-born champion in January, and now the corporate has topped three in three months, together with interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez. This follows an announcement earlier this yr that the UFC will open a Efficiency Institute in Mexico Metropolis within the fourth quarter of 2023.
Grasso’s bonus in UFC 285
Grasso’s victory at UFC 285 additionally earned her a $50,000 “Efficiency of the Evening” award, whereas Bo Nickal, who made his Octagon debut, obtained the identical bonus for his arm-triangle choke victory over Jamie Pickett.
Shavkat Rakhmonov and Geoff Neal earned “Struggle of the Evening” honors and $50,000 every for his or her welterweight conflict. Rakhmonov emerged victorious with a standing rear-naked choke within the third spherical. Regardless of lacking weight on Friday, UFC president Dana White confirmed that Neal will obtain his bonus verify.
With Grasso’s victory, the UFC has added one other chapter to the continuing story of Mexican dominance in MMA.
Additionally learn | Mexican fighter Alexa Grasso makes historical past with upset win over UFC champion Valentina Shevchenko
Alexa Grasso a tremendous fighter
Karen Alexa Grasso Montes is a fierce fighter from Mexico. Born in 1993, she has made a reputation for herself within the flyweight division of the Final Preventing Championship (UFC), the place she presently holds the UFC Ladies’s Flyweight Chahttps://www.hindustantimes.com/sports activities/others/mexican-fighter-alexa-grasso-makes-history-with-upset-win-over-ufc-champion-valentina-shevchenko-101678021792861.htmlmpionship. She can also be a UFC analyst for Spanish broadcasts.
Grasso made her skilled debut in MMA in December 2012 in her residence nation and went on an undefeated streak for her first eighteen months of her profession. After taking a break from the game, Grasso joined Invicta FC and continued her profitable methods with two TKO wins and a unanimous choice win, alongside along with her first Struggle of the Evening bonus award.
In August 2016, she joined the UFC and has since fought a number of the finest fighters on the earth. Whereas she has skilled just a few losses, she has additionally received a number of of her fights by unanimous choice. Grasso has confronted accidents, weight-cutting points, and battle cancellations, however she stays a fierce fighter with a formidable file.