Alexa Grasso met Valentina Shevchenko for the first time in the octagon last year. Since then, things haven’t rolled Shevchenko’s way. The 36-year-old flyweight is ready to run back things for a favorable outcome. Ahead of The Ultimate Fighter 32 debut, the rumor mill had them meeting again at UFC 306. However, Shevchenko says there might be misunderstandings around the event.
The historic September 14 card in Las Vegas, “Sphere” was earmarked for Mexican Independence Day. TKO Group Holdings President Mark Shapiro recently informed that UFC’s Sphere event remains a one-time stint. CEO Dana White’s repeated teases served as a needler for a love letter to Mexican fans. Alexa Grasso hopes to have the first-ever women’s trilogy there. Shevchenko says otherwise.
It’s my understanding that there is talk about Sphere, but it is not Mexican Independence Day…It’s going to be focused on the Sphere. It’s going to be focusing on UFC 306. Mexican Independence Day is a few days before the event is happening, so it’s nothing related to Mexican Independence Day. It’s going to be a complete different event, completely different location…and complete different day…Close, but different.
Valentina Shevchenko to MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn
Grasso submitted ‘Bullet’ in Round 4 at UFC 285. More upsetting than the upset was probably the second coming. Their fateful rematch at the Inaugural Noche UFC in September 2023 ended in an unceremonial split draw, due to a heavily-criticized 10-8 round. Now, with hints of the “Sphere” lining with the second Noche UFC timeframe, the duo are touted for the event.
The Mexican champ from Team Lobo Gym MMA is a crowd favorite after all. While that makes the most sense, sources tell Shevchenko otherwise. Contrarilty, she told MMA Junkie’s senior reporter Mike Bohn that she wouldn’t give in to superstitions. Noche UFC or not, she’ll be ready to take back her gold. There’s no official offer for a date or location for the Grasso trilogy fight yet.
Alexa Grasso was baffled by Valentina Shevchenko’s claim of theme change for UFC 306
As Shevchenko sees it, UFC 306 at “Sphere” won’t be a Mexican Independence Day celebration like her second fight against Grasso. Consequently, that hurts nobody more than the UFC women’s flyweight champion. If the September 14 card in Las Vegas would no longer be for the Mexican holiday, the fighter out of Guadalajara, Jalisco, MX falls out of grace as a potential headliner.
Alexa Grasso, Valentina Shevchenko (Source: IMAGO/heavy.com)The chances of them superseding big names like Sean O’Malley or Merab Dvalishvili were already slim. Take out the USP of a Mexican champ; then, the whole allure falls apart. However, Alexan Grasso is keeping her hopes up.
As far as I know, it’s going to be Noche UFC again…I’ve seen a few interviews from Dana White, …and he is saying it’s a love letter for the Mexican Independence Day, for the Mexican fighters, and he had a really, really good experience last year with Noche UFC. It would break records on ESPN, UFC Fight Pass…As I know, it’s going to be 100 percent dedicated to Mexican Independence Day.
Alexa Grasso to MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn
Grasso said she hasn’t received a fight agreement for the trilogy at UFC 306 and hasn’t heard anything to note a change in plans. Valentina Shevchenko (23-4-1 MMA, 12-3-1 UFC) is set to serve as the opposing coach for TUF: Season 32. The duo is to face each other after the season airs ceremoniously.
After Grasso gained the title in a major upset at UFC 285, she plans to keep the momentum going. The opponent had shown some initial reluctance around yet another fight on the cornerstone of a Mexican-theme event. Shevchenko says she’s ready now; in case she isn’t, she’s ready to move on to other contenders.
