Alexa Grasso wants a fourth fight with Valentina Shevchenko, but the former UFC women’s flyweight champion says Manon Fiorot must come first. Grasso faces Fiorot at Noche UFC on Saturday, September 12, at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
The division changed when Shevchenko relinquished the championship because shoulder and back ligament injuries will keep her out for at least a year. Natalia Silva and Wang Cong are scheduled to decide the vacant title at UFC 332 on October 3.
Oh, it's amazing. Amazing opportunity for everyone in the division. So, it's great. I love that the division is moving and I can't wait to be there again.
Grasso enters the five-round fight at 17-5-1. Fiorot is 13-2, and the French contender says UFC officials promised Saturday’s winner the next title shot. Grasso did not look beyond that assignment.
Well, honestly, I'm just focused on my fight now. Not sure if I say is the most important thing for me, but I know that a big win could, you know, put me in an important place.
Grasso Rebuilt After Losing The Championship
Grasso returned in March with a first-round knockout of Maycee Barber after consecutive decision losses to Shevchenko and Natalia Silva. She described that training camp as a personal demand to prove she could rejoin the title race.
Well, I trained very hard for that win. Honestly, it was like a very, very tough camp. I was, like, focused and come back, like, you know, better than ever after two losses in a row. It was like, no way, you know, I need to come back better than ever. And I'm super thankful with my team, with everything we did. So, it was an amazing night.
The finish began with a punch before Grasso threatened a rear-naked choke. She considers the official knockout an example of the adaptability developed in camp.
Well, I think it was, at the end, a knockout. Yeah. But, I mean, like I told you, I trained very hard to be able to adapt to any situation. So, it was the submission, too. So, it's a good job that we did.
Her motivation, she said, came from her own standard more than outside doubt.
Mostly myself, you know, mostly myself. I know that I'm capable of many great things. So I was like, ‘Hey, Alexa, you have done amazing things. You know, you can go back and do it again.’ So that's my big goal.
The complete official interview is embedded below:
Grasso made regaining UFC gold the long-term target while keeping the immediate emphasis on Fiorot.
The goal is always, you know, the championship. But like I told you, right now I'm focused on my fight. I never like to pass through the challenge that I have in front, which is most important for me. But I know that having a good fight, having a good performance, is going to put you closer to the biggest goal you want.
She also explained how she processed the trilogy defeat that ended her championship reign.
I mean, nobody likes to lose. Nobody likes to lose in life, in a job, in sport, of course. But, like I told you, it's always you decide if it breaks you or it makes you strong, and I always choose to make me stronger.
That response fits the style Grasso says has built her connection with fight fans.
I love to brawl. I love to fight. I'm always, you know, trying to give my best, make fights entertaining because I'm a fan of MMA, too. I love to do what I like to see, too. And that's why I think that people like to watch my fights. I can make you 100 percent sure that I will always get in there and do my best.
A Fourth Shevchenko Fight Still Matters
Noche UFC carries added significance for the Mexican former champion. Grasso said the annual event now provides a stage for the culture that once seemed distant from UFC title contention.
Now it's possible. Now we have an event every single year for our culture, our music, our tradition. So, it's amazing. It feels so, so beautiful.
Grasso submitted Shevchenko to win the belt in March 2023. Their rematch ended in a split draw, and Shevchenko regained the title by unanimous decision in September 2024. Asked directly if she wants one more chance against her rival, Grasso answered immediately.
Of course. Of course. Of course. I think we're even on the scores, but yeah, I would love to have another opportunity against her.
Before Shevchenko can return, Silva and Wang must settle the vacant championship. Grasso declined to choose between them.
Honestly, I don't know, but I'm super excited to watch that fight and I'll be watching.
Fiorot remains the only opponent Grasso is preparing to solve. She characterized every top-five flyweight as complete and dangerous rather than reducing Fiorot to one skill.
Any girl in the top five is dangerous. We all have different skills and different challenges. So I'm super happy to be having this fight against her. Every girl in the top five is a complete athlete, so it's a big challenge.
Grasso said her attention remains on the next performance instead of the résumé already behind her.
I'm always thinking to go forward, what's next. I'm just happy to be able to do what I love the most, to do my job, to get in there, to fight, to do the fight camp, and can't wait to put a big performance on Saturday.
She closed with a compact prediction for the Glendale main event.
It's going to be an amazing fight, super technical. Please don't miss it.
