Valentina Shevchenko dominates Alexa Grasso in UFC 306 co-main event

15/09/2024 06:06

The women's flyweight title was on the line in the UFC 306 co-main event on Saturday inside the Sphere in Las Vegas.  Champion Alexa Grasso faced former titleholder Valentina Shevchenko in a trilogy match.  

Grasso captured the women's 125-pound championship by submitting Shevchenko at UFC 285 in March 2023.  Shevchenko had successfully defended the title seven times.  The two fought to a split draw in the rematch a year ago and coached The Ultimate Fighter 32 leading up to Saturday's showdown.  

They touched gloves and picked up where they left off this weekend last year.  Shevchenko took the center of the cage and delivered a leg kick.  Grasso drove forward behind punches but Shevchenko backed away.  Shevchenko landed a counter right hand.  Grasso moved into the pocket and Shevchenko landed a counter right hand.  They exchanged jabs.  Shevchenko changed levels and took Grasso down.  

Shevchenko worked inside Grasso's closed guard.  Shevchenko landed a hard elbow before mounting Grasso.  Grasso rolled and gave up her back and that's how the round ended.  Shevchenko spent the last three minutes of the frame in top position.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Shevchenko.    

The second round began with Grasso throwing a 1-2 that came up short.  Grasso pressed forward and they two exchange jabs.  Shevchenko changed levels and put Grasso on her back.  Grasso delivered short punches from the bottom and Shevchenko moved to half guard.  Grasso worked to isolate an arm.  She applied an armor.  Shevchenko escaped the submission attempt and moved to side control.  Grasso rolled and scrambled to her feet with 90 seconds remaining.  Shevchenko secured another takedown.  

In the final minute, Shevchenko moved to side control.  Grasso applied a triangle from the bottom and worked to secure an arm.  Shevchenko popped her head out but Grasso still had an arm.  Shevchenko got her arm free in the closing moments.  MMAWeekly score the round 10-9 for Shevchenko.  

Shevchenko landed a jab to start the third.  Grasso answered with a leg kick.  The pace slowed with neither committing first.  Shevchenko partially landed a head kick but Grasso was unfazed.  Shevchenko applied to Thai clinch and delivered a knee.  Grasso pushed her away and Shevchenko went to the body with a kick.  Grasso pressed forward with a combination.  Shevchenko showed perfect timing on changing levels and taking Grasso down with two minutes left in the stanza.  

Shevchenko worked in the half guard position before mounting Grasso.  Grasso quickly worked her way back to guard.  Grasso tried to scramble but Shevchenko maintained position.  Grasso rolled in the closing seconds and Shevchenko took her back.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Shevchenko.  

Grasso pressed forward in the fourth.  They exchanged jabs and Shevchenko looked for a takedown.  Grasso applied a guillotine choke and pulled guard.  Shevchenko delivered short punches to the body as Grasso tried to tighten the choke.  Grasso rolled Shevchenko.  Shevchenko indicated that she's fine.  Shevchenko popped her head out with just under three minutes left in the round.  Shevchenko worked inside Grasso's guard before moving to half guard.  

Shevchenko mounted Grasso and moved back to half guard.  She briefly looked for an arm-triangle choke but it wasn't there.  Shevchenko put Grasso in a crucifix but the bell sounded before she could take advantage.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Shevchenko.

Shevchenko threw her jab and Grasso responded with a leg kick to start the final frame.  They exchanged leg kicks.  Shevchenko connected with a combination and circle away.  Shevchenko landed another combination and Grasso clinched.  She drug Shevchenko to the ground and mounted her.  She looked for an armbar but Shevchenko escaped and took Grasso down.  Grasso got to her feet and circled free.  Shevchenko connected with a right and and looked for a takedown.  They ended up in the clinch along the cage with two minutes remaining in the fight.  

Grasso looked to trip Shevchenko but Shevchenko gained top position.  Grasso worked her way to the fence and used it to stand.  Shevchenko kept the pressure on.  Grasso free herself and moved away. Shevchenko looked for a takedown and eventually got it.  She landed in side control.  Grasso rolled and Shevchenko took her back.    

The judges scored the fight for Shevchenko by unanimous decision.  All three judges' scorecards read 50-45.  With the win, Shevchenko won back the flyweight title and became a two-time UFC champion.