Alexa Grasso  remains to be the UFC girls’s flyweight champion, however the end result was once under no circumstances decisive. Grasso retained her name in a rematch in opposition to Valentina Shevchenko by the use of break draw at Noche UFC in Las Vegas on Saturday night time. Nearest 5 rounds, the scorecards learn 48-47 Shevchenko, 48-47 Grasso and 47-47, well-known to Grasso keeping her name.

The end result of Saturday’s clash might be debated within the weeks to come back however something is sure: what began this month as a surprising disappointed of an all-time admirable is now probably the most defining contention in girls’s flyweight historical past. Grasso and Shevchenko fought enamel and nail on Saturday with each and every fighter displaying moments of brilliance. A call for both lady was once correct, however an surprising 10-8 scorecard via pass judgement on Mike Bell in Spherical 5 led to best the 6th attract UFC championship historical past.

“Yes, I am the winner,” Grasso instructed UFC commentator Daniel Cormier all through their post-fight interview.

“I think it was really 3-2 on my side,” Shevchenko instructed Cormier inside of the cage. “I think the judges felt a bit of pressure because it’s Mexican Independence Day… In a fair competition, victory would be mine.”

Shevchenko inclined offensively on a juiceless jab and frame kicks life the use of her skillful takedowns to hinder Grasso’s combos and deter the champion from pressuring ahead. Grasso was once at her highest touchdown combos at space and touchdown pictures within the clinch. 

The name clash was once rife with momentum swings. Grasso landed a knockdown in Spherical 2. Shevchenko just about submitted the champ with a fastened guillotine in Spherical 3. Miraculously, Grasso slipped in the back of Shevchenko in Spherical 5 and hunted a rear-naked choke paying homage to her disappointed victory in March.

Grasso was once non-commital about working a direct trilogy with Shevchenko.

“It depends,” Grasso stated. “I have to talk with my coaches and my manager. We will see what’s next.”

Grasso scored a big disappointed in opposition to Shevchenko at UFC 285, filing one of the crucial biggest feminine opponents in historical past upcoming ducking beneath a spinning again fist. It was once the 3rd consecutive moment that lovers witnessed a Mexican fighter ascend to UFC champion. Coming into Noche UFC, which took park on Mexican Self government Era, Grasso carried the power of being Mexico’s best difference UFC champion.

Grasso (16-3-1) is undefeated in six immediately fights since shifting as much as girls’s flyweight. Shevchenko (23-4-1) reveals herself and not using a win in two consecutive fights for the primary age in her illustrious occupation.