Alexa Grasso faces Valentina Shevchenko in a rematch for the women’s flyweight title at UFC Noche so… Will it be repeat or revenge?
Now, let’s start by looking at the facts. We know that Alexa Grasso can beat Valentina Shevchenko. We have all seen it with our very own eyes, we also know that Valentina Shevchenko is one of the most skilled female fighters we have ever seen in mixed martial arts.
When you put all that together, it concludes that we could be looking at an exceptionally close fight here. If we are to go off the first fight, the key for Alexa Grasso was the striking. The advantage was visible for all to see, with Grasso appearing to hurt Shevchenko on a couple of occasions. In fact, in an interview with Combat Sports UK, the champ alluded to the fact that Valentina had felt her power and did not like it. So that is where Grasso will be looking to gain an advantage.
For the former champion, the take downs, the ground game, were the key. Shevchenko was able to take Grasso down fairly easily and was dominant for the most part on the mat. Until she wasn’t. Will the fact that Grasso eventually submitted Shevchenko, make the former champion hesitant to take her down? Maybe, maybe not but it will be intriguing to see how the ‘Bullet’ approaches this one.
Is It Fair to Compare Alexa Grasso to Juliana Pena?
There are two ways to look at this. Yes and no. Grasso’s signature win over the formerly dominant champion in Valentina Shevchenko can of course be compared to Juliana Pena’s win, over a formerly dominant Amanda Nunes. In both scenarios the dominant champions and pound-for-pound stars lost. In a matchup where they were the betting favourites.
Yet for me, there was one clear difference. Most of us who saw the Nunes Vs Pena matchup would concede that Amanda Nunes seemed to take her eye off the ball. She had moved gyms, she was closing towards the end of her career and seemed distracted by her family goals with Nina. When the rematch was announced, everybody was heavily favouring Nunes to put right her wrongs, something which she did, in dominant fashion.
I would argue that, although you could make comparisons here. I am not convinced this was the same. Did Valentina take her eye off the ball? Is she thinking about retirement? I don’t think so. We haven’t heard anything or seen anything that would suggest this. This was a case of a very worthy and capable contender, turning up and taking her opportunity with both hands. I would make a point of saying that Amanda Nunes lost to Juliana Pena. Whereas, in this situation, I would say that Alexa Grasso beat Valentina Shevchenko.
The Last Standing Mexican Champion
I never liked the reference to Yair Rodriguez being a ‘champion’ but the narrative, not so long ago, was that there were three Mexican champions. The men’s flyweight champion was Brandon Moreno. The women’s flyweight champion was Alexa Grasso. The men’s interim featherweight champion was Yair Rodriguez. Mexico was promoted as having three champions.
Then UFC 290 struck. Yair Rodriguez was defeated by Alexander Volkanovski. Brandon Moreno was defeated by Alexandre Pantoja. Mexico was down to one.
A lot has been made so far this week and in the build up, that Valentina Shevchenko is dialled in. She is focused on nothing else, other than regaining her crown. Yet Alexa Grasso is equally motivated. This fight will take place in Las Vegas, at UFC Noche, a name which is a tribute to Mexican independence day. At the top of that card, you have Alexa Grasso, a proud Mexican fighter, who some are already writing off. The last standing champion from Mexico.
This fight will mean the world to Alexa Grasso, maybe even more so than the first fight because this is an opportunity for her to cement her own legacy as being the one that dethroned Valentina Shevchenko and ended her title reign forever. Not only that, Alexa is fully aware that she is the last standing champion, she is now the top athlete of Mexican MMA. All I’ll say is this. Alexa Grasso is carrying an entire nation on her back. She will be as motivated as ever and if Valentina is to regain her throne, she will have to beat the very best version of Alexa Grasso.
Could the Pressure Prove Too Much?
Again, this week, a lot of media outlets, pundits and experts of the sport have made a reference to the pressure that Alexa Grasso will be under. Defending at UFC Noche. On Mexican independence day. As the last standing Mexican champion. Against one of the very best to ever do it. Sure, I get it. I understand why some may feel that way.
I don’t agree though. Do I agree that there is added pressure on Alexa? Of course. Do I believe that it will negatively impact her? Hell no.
This is the lady that went out there, against all odds and finished Valentina Shevchenko. Grasso knows she can beat Valentina, she’s been there and got the t-shirt. I think we will see Alexa Grasso revel is this occasion. I think we’ll see her happy, smiling and having fun during the build up. Then we’ll see her absolutely 100 percent dialled in, come fight night.
I spoke on our all new, Combat Sports UK MMA podcast this week and said that I believed that this would be a five round war. I stand by that, I think we are in for an incredible fight. However, I expect to see a better version of Valentina Shevchenko this time out. I also expect to see an even more improved Alexa Grasso. Do not miss this fight at at the weekend because it promises to absolutely deliver.
Will it be #AndNew? Or can Alexa Grasso show why she is a deserving champion where we hear #AndStill? There is only one way to find out. Do not miss UFC Noche.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
