Valentina Shevchenko is approaching her 15th fight inside the renowned UFC octagon, and as she prepares to put her flyweight title on the line next time out, it raises the question: Who is Alexa Grasso?
With a standout record of 15 wins and 3 losses, Grasso is a 29-year-old contender who is well-versed on the feet, using her extensive boxing knowledge to overwhelm opponents. Despite her clear love for striking, the 125er is capable of impressing with her grappling as she has shown multiple times throughout her career.
Just last year, the Mexican scored the first submission victory of her life in mixed martial arts when she locked up a rear-naked choke against Joanne Wood late into the first round.
Alexa Grasso has quietly been showcasing her dominance in the division and finds herself on a four-fight win streak and within touching distance of her first taste at UFC gold.
Although Valentina Shevchenko is on her way to lapping the flyweight division, she is yet to meet Grasso in combat. The challenger's three career losses came against veteran Felice Herrig, the powerful Tatiana Suarez, and the former two-time strawweight champion Carla Esparza.
After enduring a rather underwhelming 3-3 start to life in the company, the rising star has now found her feet in the cage and looks better than ever since moving up from 115lbs. Having missed weight and being forced to withdraw from multiple bouts during her time in the UFC, the North American has seemingly found a new home with the flyweights.
The Guadalajara native will finally get to test herself against the highest level of women's mixed martial arts when she is welcomed into the octagon by the long-reigning 125lb champion, Valentina Shevchenko, at UFC 285 on March 4.
Valentina Shevchenko has been an almost flawless presence and has remained unbeaten since returning to the flyweight division back in 2018, but Alexa Grasso's recent run of performances has granted her the chance to end the champion's reign.
Decision wins over Ji Yeon Kim, Maycee Barber, and Viviane Araujo, and a submission victory over the aforementioned Joanne Wood have done enough to catch 'Bullet's' attention.
Shevchenko and Grasso will meet for the first time in their MMA careers in two months' time, as the Muay Thai specialist looks to make the eighth straight defense of her throne.
