Alexa Grasso perplexed by Valentina Shevchenko’s claims

UFC girls’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso is confused by Valentina Shevchenko’s assertion about UFC ditching the Mexican Independence Day theme for UFC 306 at Sphere.

Forward of “The Final Fighter 32” season debut Tuesday on ESPN and ESPN+ (10 p.m. ET), Shevchenko informed MMA Junkie it was her understanding the historic Sept. 14 card in Las Vegas would not be constructed across the Mexican vacation. It was a curious revelation given UFC CEO Dana White’s repeated statements across the occasion, through which many count on to see Grasso (16-3-1 MMA, 8-3-1 UFC) and Shevchenko (23-4-1 MMA, 12-3-1 UFC) combat their trilogy bout for the ladies’s flyweight title.

Grasso mentioned she’s but to obtain a bout settlement for the Shevchenko trilogy at UFC 306 and claimed she’s heard nothing that leads her to consider one thing has modified with the promotion’s plans.

“So far as I do know, it’s going to be Noche UFC once more,” Grasso informed MMA Junkie on Monday. “I’ve seen a number of interviews from Dana White, and he’s saying it’s a love letter for the Mexican Independence Day, for the Mexican fighters, and he had a extremely, actually good expertise final 12 months with Noche UFC. It will break information on ESPN, UFC Battle Move. As I do know, it’s going to be one hundred pc devoted to Mexican Independence Day.”

After Grasso took the title from Shevchenko in a big upset at UFC 285 in March 2023, the pair had their rematch at Noche UFC final September. The combat led to a break up draw, which means Grasso retained the title. They went by your complete “TUF 32” filming as a construct towards a trilogy bout, however Shevchenko had beforehand confirmed some reluctance to do the third combat in a scenario the place Grasso would enter because the cornerstone of one other Mexican-themed occasion.

If, for some motive, Shevchenko declines to combat on that date, Grasso mentioned she’s going to transfer on to the following contender. She is past eager to combat at UFC 306 and would accomplish that whether or not Shevchenko is her opponent or not.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s Valentina or (Manon) Fiorot – anybody,” Grasso mentioned. “I’m simply getting ready so much, each space. I’m coaching each single day. I’m in combat camp since I acquired one hundred pc from my hand. I’m simply prepared. I simply wish to combat that day. I would actually, actually like to combat that date, and I’ll be prepared stronger than ever for that date.”

Grasso mentioned she hopes it’s Shevchenko, as a result of she needs to show she is superior of their matchup as soon as for all after criticism across the rematch outcome. If not for a rogue 10-8 scorecard from decide Mike Bell for Grasso within the fifth spherical, Shevchenko would’ve taken dwelling the choice and the belt.

“I might like to combat with Valentina as a result of it might be the primary trilogy in girls’s UFC historical past,” Grasso mentioned. “We had been each coaches, too, and we now have quite a lot of historical past. She has executed a lot for the game. Me too, as the primary Mexican feminine champion. We’re each doing quite a lot of large issues, so I feel that might be the best combat, the proper combat. I had the submission. In the second, sadly it was a draw. However the third one goes to be like, OK, now we’re going to know who’s the winner. In order that’s why I might like to be part of that. I might like to combat her, and I’m tremendous prepared. I swear.”

Earlier than she returns to the octagon towards whomever it might be, Grasso mentioned she’s excited for the world to see her coach on “TUF 32.” She mentioned she loved the method of the truth collection and is keen to showcase what sort of data her employees shared with the group of UFC hopefuls on her crew.

“It was one hundred pc me – it was actually cool,” Grasso mentioned. “I simply need (followers) to know ‘The Final Fighter’ once more as a result of lots of people are excited to observe it, particularly right here in Mexico. Nearly extra in Mexico as a result of it’s the primary time a Mexican crew was in a position to try this, one hundred pc a Mexican crew. So it’s enormous for me, for my uncle, for my coaches, and for all my crew to be a part of this as a result of it was actually, actually cool. We had guys from all around the world.”