Grasso, Shevchenko look ahead to new blood after trilogy

When UFC girls’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko full a trilogy later this 12 months, it must be the final time they meet. After that? Each fighters count on to welcome new challengers.

That, in fact, will rely upon the results of their Sept. 14 showdown on the Sphere in Las Vegas, which may headline UFC 306. The combat will happen on the heels of Grasso and Shevchenko teaching this season of “The Final Fighter,” which filmed earlier this 12 months and premiered this previous Tuesday on ESPN and ESPN+.

In two earlier encounters, Grasso (16-3-1 MMA, 8-3-1 UFC) scored an all-time upset when she claimed the title from Shevchenko (23-4-1 MMA, 12-3-1 UFC) with a fourth-round submission in March 2023 at UFC 285. Six months later, the 2 fought to a hotly debated break up draw of their rematch at Noche UFC. In need of a transparent winner within the trilogy, this must be it for Grasso and Shevchenko, who each look ahead to new blood within the type of high contender Manon Fiorot or the winner of subsequent month’s Maycee Barber vs. Rose Namajunas foremost occasion at UFC Combat Night time in Denver. Erin Blanchfield may be within the combine regardless of dropping to Fiorot in March, relying on timing and circumstances.

Fiorot, who’s driving a 12-fight successful streak after back-to-back wins over Namajunas and Blanchfield, figures to be in pole place amongst these names.

“Proper now, at this second after (our) combat, Manon and Erin. I believe Manon is on this checklist,” Shevchenko instructed MMA Junkie. “However something can occur for this time. Nonetheless now we have extra time, like three months, a little bit bit extra after we relaxation a little bit bit. Something can occur, however at this second, I’d say combat Manon, and Erin introduced Manon on this place.”

Fiorot (12-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) is actually a matchup that Grasso would relish given the pairing of kinds.

“If I’ve to combat her, that will likely be superior,” Grasso instructed MMA Junkie. “She’s massive, she’s robust, she has lots of good placing. So, for me, it could possibly be an ideal combat.”

To not be forgotten, although, is Barber (14-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC). The 26-year-old, who as soon as promised to be the youngest UFC champion of all time, has come into her personal, presently on a six-fight successful streak in opposition to elevated competitors. Ought to she get previous Namajunas with a formidable efficiency, it may result in a rematch with Grasso, who beat her by unanimous resolution in February 2021.

That’s a outcome Barber hasn’t gotten over, and he or she’s let or not it’s identified – which is not any massive deal to the champ.

“That’s OK. All of us should make noise to be there,” Grasso mentioned. “However yeah, if there’s a second she’s the contender and I’m the champion, we’re gonna combat once more.”