Valentina Shevchenko Flexes Her Ground Game, Defeats Alexa Grasso to Reclaim Flyweight Title – Noche UFC Results (Highlights)

Shevchenko reclaimed the UFC flyweight title in Las Vegas, grappling her way to a unanimous decision victory.

Written by Craig Pekios
Last updated on September 15th, 2024
Valentina Shevchenko
Courtesy of @UFCNews on X

After a disappointing and highly controversial split draw in their rematch on last year’s Noche UFC card, former flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko returned to the Octagon on Saturday night determined to take the belt back from the division’s reigning 125-pound queen, Alexa Grasso. 

Round 1

Both fighters come out throwing early, but Shevchenko catches her in the opening minute with a nice counter right. Shevchenko lands a stiff jab and immediately shoots for a takedown, dragging Grasso to the canvas. Grasso closes her guard and looks to control the movement of Shevchenko. ‘Bullet’ postures up and Grasso quickly goes for a triangle choke before transitioning to an arm bar attempt. Shevchenko smartly defends and moves comfortably back into Grasso’s guard. 

Grasso again looks to attack from the bottom, briefly teasing a guillotine choke before letting it go. Shevchenko attempts to pass. That prompts Grasso to scramble allowing ‘Bullet’ to take her back. The round ends before Shevchenko can fish for a choke. 

Round 2

The second round starts much like the first with both fighters trading on the feet before Shevchenko shoots in and takes things down to the mat at the one-minute mark. Shevchenko lands in half guard and appears content to keep control rather than looking to land any kind of offense. 

Grasso once again throws her legs up looking for an arm bar. She nearly cinches it in, but Shevchenko successfully defends and winds up in side control. Grasso scrambles, briefly giving up her back, but manages to get upright. Unfortunately, it doesn’t last as Shevchenko immediately drags her back down to the mat with a minute to go in the round. Grasso once again goes submission hunting, looking for an inverted triangle while attacking the arm of the former champion. 

Shevchenko once again defends and stays out of danger for the remainder of the round. 

Round 3

Shevchenko’s approach to round three remains the same as the previous two, spending some time trading with Grasso on the feet before ultimately shooting in and securing an all-too-easy takedown. ‘Bullet’ gets comfortable in Grasso’s half-guard and looks to pepper the champ with strikes. Grasso attempts to scramble as we reach the final minute. Shevchenko flows with her, taking her back and looking for a choke just before the horn sounds. 

Round 4

Grasso and Shevchenko come out trading kicks as Grasso looks to pick up the pace. That prompts Shevchenko to shoot in for a takedown. Grasso snatches a guillotine on the way down and squeezes hard. Shevchenko finally frees her head from the hold with three minutes to go in the round. Shevchenko secures her position in half guard once again and again looks content to lay and pray. 

With 90 seconds to go, Shevchenko smoothly moved into the mount and looked to secure an arm triangle, but she was too high up on her opponent. ‘Bullet’ relinquishes the hold and gets back into half-guard to maintain her control of Grasso. Shevchenko slides into side control with a minute to go and crucifixes the left arm of Grasso. Shevchenko fires a few shots but cannot land anything significant before the horn. 

Round 5

Shevchenko uses the lead leg attack to keep a very desperate Alexa Grasso at bay. Shevchenko lands a glancing one-two as Grasso attempts to close the distance. Grasso defends a takedown attempt from Shevchenko and offers one of her own, dragging ‘Bullet’ down to the mat and briefly getting into mount. Shevchenko urgently pops back up to her feet and secures her sixth takedown of the fight. Shevchenko tries to take Grasso’s back, but she’s too high and the defending champ escapes. 

Shevchenko goes right back to the takedown, but Grasso hops back up. Shevchenko presses her against the fence and drags her back down to the mat as we approach a minute left in the fight. Grasso wall walks back up to her feet and separates. Shevchenko shoots again in the center of the Octagon and takes the titleholder down. Shevchenko transitions to the back and holds the position until the fifth and final round ends. 

Official Result: Valentina Shevchenko def. Alexa Grasso via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)

Check Out Highlights From Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 306:

Published on September 15, 2024 at 1:07 am
Stay up-to-date with the latest MMA news, rumors, and updates by following the RED Monster on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. Also, don't forget to add MiddleEasy to your Google News feed Follow us on Google News for even more coverage.
FlipboardRedditWhatsAppPinterestLinkedIn
Craig Pekios

Craig Pekios
Covering the world of Mixed Martial Arts since 2012. Providing the latest news, picks, scores, results, and commentary on the world of MMA.

Related

Leave a Comment