Reigning UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko took on rising contender Alexa Grasso in the co-main event of UFC 285 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
UFC 285: Valentina Shevchenko vs Alexa Grasso
Round 1
Shevchenko with a low kick. Grasso with an outside low kick. She tries to get in the pocket and gets out. Another calf kick from Grasso and blocks left kick to the body. Shevchenko throws a spinning kick. Grasso moving ahead with her boxing skills and the low kick. Inside leg kick from Shevchenko. Shevchenko with a jab. Grasso gets in with a left hand. Grasso goes in and lands a nice right hand on the exit. Jab from Shevchenko gets through. Huge left hand from Grasso wobbles Shevchenko. Shevchenko goes for the low kicks. Low kick by Grasso. Grasso keeps a tight guard up high. Nice elbow on the break by Shevchenko. Body kick from Shevchenko. Grasso goes for the takedown and they get up against the cage. She goes with knees to the body.
Round 2
Low kick from Shevchenko. Grasso keeps the pressure high with her boxing. Nice takedown by Valentina. She gets on top. Grasso gets her in full guard. Shevchenko gets out and takes side control. Grasso keeps moving to avoid a potential crucifix. Grasso is trying hard to get out of this position. Shevchenko squeezes to keep her in position before taking side control. Grasso used the fence to get up. Grasso with a left hand. Low kick from Shevchenko. Grasso blitzes in and fires a strong right hand. Shevchenko takes Grasso down again. She’s moving to take side control but couldn’t and ends the round on top.
Round 3
Grasso gets in the pocket to trade. She goes for a low kick. Shevchenko with a quick jab. Grasso gets inside and lands a right. Good left counter by Grasso over the top. She lands another right from distance. Shevchenko lands in the exchange. Grasso stung her with a left hand. Shevchenko shoots and takes her down. She’s in full guard. Grasso is punching her from the bottom. Ref gets them back up. Punch from Shevchenko at the separation. Grasso gets taken down again and has her back taken. Shevchenko is trying to lock in a submission here. Grasso does well to get out and goes for a guillotine attempt.
Round 4
Grasso feints with a level change. Shevchenko shoots for a takedown and Grasso stuffs it. Grasso with an inside low kick. Shevchenko throws a jab. They both keep their range and trade punches. Shevchenko shoots for a takedown and Grasso defends well. Grasso goes for a takedown. She has Shevchenko against the cage with her hands clasped right behind her. They separate and return to the center of the octagon. Good jab from Shevchenko and another one. Shevchenko with a spinning back kick and Grasso gets her back and goes for a rear-naked choke. This is tight. It could be over. It’s over!!!
Official Result: Alexa Grasso defeats Valentina Shevchenko by rear-naked choke submission (R4, 4:34).
Check out the highlights below:
We're headed to Championship Rounds!!
How are you scoring our #UFC285 co-main? pic.twitter.com/YMTlisIGpn
— UFC (@ufc) March 5, 2023
ALEXA GRASSO HAS SUBMITTED VALENTINA SHEVCHENKO!!
WE HAVE A NEW FLYWEIGHT CHAMPION 👑🇲🇽 #UFC285 pic.twitter.com/t4HMH5vXnw
— UFC (@ufc) March 5, 2023
#ANDNEW FLYWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD, @AlexaGrasso 👏👏 #UFC285 pic.twitter.com/Xtt2A8s0Zk
— UFC (@ufc) March 5, 2023
Dream come true. #UFC285 pic.twitter.com/UVCqiW7BHG
— UFC (@ufc) March 5, 2023
