Former UFC Middleweight champion Michael Bisping suggests that this defeat could mark the beginning of a decline for the legendary Shevchenko.
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In a stunning turn of events at UFC 285, Alexa Grasso sent shockwaves through the MMA world. The formidable Valentina Shevchenko, a former unstoppable UFC women’s Flyweight champion, was widely favored by oddsmakers to successfully defend her title against the talented Mexican contender.
However, Grasso proved her mettle in the first round, catching the champion off guard. Shevchenko swiftly adjusted her strategy in the subsequent rounds, leveraging her grappling skills to secure rounds two and three. The unexpected twists and turns of the bout kept fans on the edge of their seats, defying predictions and showcasing the tenacity and adaptability of both fighters.
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Shevchenko continued her dominant performance in round four, maintaining her advantage. However, an ill-fated spinning back kick proved to be her downfall. Grasso capitalized on the opportunity, swiftly taking Shevchenko’s back and securing a tight face crank submission, resulting in a monumental upset victory. The stage is now set for a rematch between the two fighters at UFC Las Vegas on September 16, 2023. Notably, former UFC Middleweight champion Michael Bisping suggests that this defeat could mark the beginning of a decline for the legendary Shevchenko.
“It might sound crazy, but I think Alexa is the better fighter,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “That doesn’t sound crazy to me at all. I thought Alexa looked really good. I think that Valentina Shevchenko has been a dominant force for so long, but everyone has their time. Everyone has their end. Everyone has their beginning of the end.
“Is this the beginning of the end of Shevchenko? Are her best days behind her? I don’t know — maybe,” he added. “Maybe she had an off night. Maybe Alexa Grasso is just a better fighter. I thought she looked very well. It certainly wasn’t a fluke.”
In Shevchenko’s illustrious career at 125 pounds, her sole loss has come at the hands of Grasso. The upcoming rematch will mark Shevchenko’s third time stepping into the octagon for a second bout, having previously achieved a 1-1 record in such scenarios against Amanda Nunes (a split decision loss) and Liz Carmouche (a unanimous decision win).
On the other hand, this will be Grasso’s first rematch in her 19-fight career (16-3). As she aims to maintain her unbeaten streak at Flyweight, currently standing at 5-0, Grasso will embark on her first title defense with high stakes and the opportunity to make a significant statement.
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