UFC flyweight champion Alexa Grasso is preparing to defend her title at UFC 306, hoping for a trilogy fight against Valentina Shevchenko but ready to face Manon Fiorot if Shevchenko declines.
UFC flyweight champion Alexa Grasso is gearing up to fight at UFC 306. The event has been rebranded as Riyadh Season Noche UFC. She’s preparing, with or without Valentina Shevchenko.
Despite coaching against each other on The Ultimate Fighter 32, Grasso hasn’t received confirmation that Shevchenko will be her opponent on Sept. 14. Shevchenko previously expressed reluctance about fighting on the Mexican Independence Day event again. Their last bout ended in a controversial split draw.
Grasso hopes Shevchenko resolves her reservations about fighting on the Sphere card in Las Vegas. Regardless, she’s defending her belt one way or another.
“That’s the plan,” Grasso said. “That’s the fight I would like to happen.” She emphasized her desire to be part of Noche UFC, saying, “How can I not be part of Noche UFC this year?”
As of now, UFC announced the event along with a partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season as the titled sponsor for the card. No fights have been confirmed yet.
All signs point to Grasso vs. Shevchenko 3 happening, but even Grasso admits she has no assurances about who she’ll face in September.
If Shevchenko passes on the fight, Grasso expects to shift her focus to Manon Fiorot. Fiorot is next in line for a title shot after defeating Erin Blanchfield back in March, moving her UFC record to 7-0 overall.
“I think that’s her opportunity too,” Grasso said of Fiorot. “She’s the No. 2 contender and she’s been having a nice winning streak.”
As champion, Grasso knows her job is to defend the belt against anyone UFC throws at her. Whether it’s Shevchenko or Fiorot, she’s ready for September.
Grasso hopes Shevchenko comes around and they ink a deal for their third and potentially final bout.
“It’s a fight I would like to have,” Grasso said. “The trilogy is something I would truly love.” It would be the first trilogy from women’s MMA.
Both were coaches on TUF. Grasso hails from Mexico; Shevchenko from Kyrgyzstan.
“We have a lot of history,” Grasso added, “and I’m truly inspired to be competing with someone at this high level.”