Carla Esparza Defeats Alexa Grasso Via Majority Decision In The Capital Of Mexico!
UFC Fight Night 159 is going down live now (Saturday, September 21, 2019) from inside Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico.
The Strawweight bout between the former Invicta FC queen Carla “Cookie Monster” Esparza and Alexa Grasso co-headlines the event. Our ref is Jason Herzog.
Round 1
The two touch gloves, Grasso jabs Esparza, the Mexican sits on a counter. The American lands a heavy right hand to the nose of Grasso, awesome trade to start the match.
1-2 Grasso, big right hand by Esparza but it falls short. Esparza shoots in for a takedown, the distance was too big, Grasso reverses the position before ending up on her back. Grasso holds tight, but the American slams her hard off the canvas! Grasso lands an up-kick.
Fighters on their feet, high kick missed. Now Esparza shoots in again but her opponent defends well, and she’s on the fence. Esparza trips her foe to the ground again, lands few shots before the round ends, but Grasso tags her with a big right hand. 10-9 Esparza.
Round 2
Esparza steps in, Grasso counters. Grasso steps in with an uppercut, but she’s taken down. Short slam by Esparza, it didn’t make significant damage. Triangle setup defended well, short body blows. Esparza lands some elbows.
Grasso tries to get up, gives her back, and transitions to the top position. Fighters stood up, 1-2 Esparza. Overhand punch Esparza. Carla shoots in again and takes her opponent down, Grasso goes for the armbar. 10-9 Esparza, the end of the round.
Round 3
Counter right Grasso. Jab and lead right Esparza, but a big left hook badly hurt Esparza, Grasso is trying to finish her now. Good shots, but Esparza survives.
Esparza shoots in two times in a row, but both attempts are stopped. Right-hand Esparza, she shoots in again. Grasso goes on her back from a rear crucifix, ends up on the bottom in guard. Grasso goes for the armbar attempt, her foe survives.
Grasso set up a triangle, elbows. Grasso goes for a sweep, blocked. She got back up, left hook cracked Esparza. Grasso swinging for the finish, the round ends, 10-9 Grasso.
Final Result: Carla Esparza defeats Alexa Grasso via majority decision (28-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Here are the highlights:
Esparza is wobbled as @AlexaGrasso chases the late finish #UFCMexico pic.twitter.com/dypW1S0EWG
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) September 22, 2019
How did @CarlaEsparza1 survive this?! 🤯 #UFCMexico pic.twitter.com/XqB3Ds0Aha
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) September 22, 2019
How did Esparza not tap?! Unreal! #UFCMexico pic.twitter.com/12LEqK4QSI
— UFC (@ufc) September 22, 2019
Carla Esparza improves the score to 15-6 MMA, 6-4 UFC, Alexa Grasso drops to 11-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC.
