Alexa Grasso perplexed by Valentina Shevchenko’s claims

UFC ladies’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 now not be constructed across the Mexican vacation. It was a curious revelation given UFC CEO Dana White’s repeated statements across the occasion, during which many anticipate to see Grasso (16-3-1 MMA, 8-3-1 UFC) and Shevchenko (23-4-1 MMA, 12-3-1 UFC) struggle 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 imagine 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 couple 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 very, actually good expertise final yr with Noche UFC. It will break information on ESPN, UFC Combat Move. As I do know, it’s going to be 100% 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 struggle resulted in a break up draw, which means Grasso retained the title. They went by way of your entire “TUF 32” filming as a construct towards a trilogy bout, however Shevchenko had beforehand confirmed some reluctance to do the third struggle in a state of affairs the place Grasso would enter because the cornerstone of one other Mexican-themed occasion.

If, for some motive, Shevchenko declines to struggle on that date, Grasso mentioned she is going to transfer on to the following contender. She is past eager to struggle at UFC 306 and would achieve this 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 making ready lots, each space. I’m coaching each single day. I’m in struggle camp since I received 100% from my hand. I’m simply prepared. I simply wish to struggle that day. I would really, actually like to struggle 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 desires 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 choose Mike Bell for Grasso within the fifth spherical, Shevchenko would’ve taken dwelling the choice and the belt.

“I’d like to struggle with Valentina as a result of it could be the primary trilogy in ladies’s UFC historical past,” Grasso mentioned. “We have been each coaches, too, and we’ve got lots of historical past. She has performed a lot for the game. Me too, as the primary Mexican feminine champion. We’re each doing lots of large issues, so I believe that will be the perfect struggle, the right struggle. 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’d like to be part of that. I’d like to struggle her, and I’m tremendous prepared. I swear.”

Earlier than she returns to the octagon in opposition to whomever it could 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 sequence and is keen to showcase what sort of data her workers shared with the group of UFC hopefuls on her group.

“It was 100% 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 look at it, particularly right here in Mexico. Virtually extra in Mexico as a result of it’s the primary time a Mexican group was in a position to do this, 100% a Mexican group. So it’s enormous for me, for my uncle, for my coaches, and for all my group to be a part of this as a result of it was actually, actually cool. We had guys from everywhere in the world.”