Alexa Grasso

LAS VEGAS — The incredible championship run of Valentina Shevchenko came to a stunning end at 4:34 of the fourth round on Saturday when she tapped to a rear ...

Alexa Grasso shocked the world at UFC 286 on Saturday night, submitting seven-time defending flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko at the 4:34 mark of the ...

In the fourth, however, she started to defend the takedown better and maintain her desired range. The UFC had waited a long time to crown its first Mexican-born champion. Her boxing combinations continued to find a home throughout, although she struggled to stay on her feet in the second and third rounds. Shevchenko varied her attack on the feet, picking at Grasso's legs and body, and converted four of her six takedown attempts. Shevchenko fought the submission for several moments, before eventually tapping to the choke. She did so as a 6-to-1 underdog and joined flyweight champion [Brandon Moreno](https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/3027545/brandon-moreno) and interim featherweight champion [Yair Rodriguez](https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/3155420/yair-rodriguez) as new Mexican champions this year.

Alexa Grasso shocked the world by submitting Valentina Shevchenko in the fourth round of a closely contested title fight at UFC 285.

Grasso indicated the finish was no accident. Then came the moment in Round 4. Who knew that also applied to the champion?

The Mexican fighter was a huge underdog coming into the fight before securing the rear-naked choke in the fourth round.

"It was the training," Grasso said. Shevchenko, whose win streak was snapped at nine, suffered her first defeat since a disputed split decision against Amanda Nunes in their 2017 rematch for the bantamweight title. Grasso ducked in to instantly take Shevchenko's back while securing a rear-naked choke as the two fell to the ground. "This is kind of what is happening in mixed martial arts. Shevchenko's incredible flyweight title reign, which began in 2018 with a decision win over Joanna Jedrzejczyk for the vacant title, reached a UFC female record of seven title defenses. "I have dreamed of this moment for so long."

Sound the upset alarms, Alexa Grasso stunned Valentina Shevchenko with a fourth-round submission win over Bullet to claim the women's flyweight title at ...

I think Grasso is a very tough fighter, but I want to be the one to take the title from her." There will be a number of threats who are looking to pry the belt from her. She took the former champion's back and locked in a choke that forced the tap. Shevchenko continued to exploit her advantage on the ground going into the third round. In doing so, she became the first Mexican woman to earn a UFC title. Bullet didn't become a dominant champion without the ability to adjust, though.

Alexa Grasso defeated Valentina Shevchenko via submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2 – 4:34 at UFC 285 on Saturday, March 4, 2023, live from T-Mobile ...

Grasso came in and landed a combination but Shevchenko replied with a powerful trio of punches. The two women engaged in a clinch until Shevchenko landed a knee to the body to break free. Shevchenko opened the third round with a jab but Grasso answered right back with a sharp counter. Grasso landed another right hand but Shevchenko answered with a straight right jab. Shevchenko landed another takedown in the final minute of the round, maintaining the top position until the horn. Shevchenko opened the second round with a takedown.

Alexa Grasso shocked the world by submitting Valentina Shevchenko in the fourth round of a closely contested title fight at UFC 285.

Esteban Ribovics unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-285-jon-jones-ciryl-gane-heavyweight-title-shevchenko-grasso-play-by-play-live-results) Da’Mon Blackshear unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-285-jon-jones-ciryl-gane-heavyweight-title-shevchenko-grasso-play-by-play-live-results) [Loik Radzhabov def. Jessica Penne via submission (armbar) – Round 2, 2:14.](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/03/ufc-285-video-tabatha-ricci-taps-jessica-penne-start-baby-shark-era) [Farid Basharat def. Song Kenan via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:22.](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/03/ufc-285-ian-garry-tko-win-conor-mcgregor-celebration) [Cameron Saaiman def. Mana Martinez via unanimous decision (29-26, 28-27, 28-28)](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-285-jon-jones-ciryl-gane-heavyweight-title-shevchenko-grasso-play-by-play-live-results) [Tabatha Ricci def. Trevin Jones via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/03/ufc-285-results-cody-garbrandt-practices-patience-in-unanimous-decision-win-over-trevin-jones) [Dricus Du Plessis def. Julian Marquez via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:12.](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/03/ufc-285-video-marc-andre-barriault-vs-julian-marquez-tko) [Ian Machado Garry def. Derek Brunson via TKO (corner stoppage) – Round 2, 4:59.](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/03/ufc-285-results-derek-brunson-vs-dricus-du-plessis-towel-throw-ko) [Amanda Ribas def. Viviane Araujo via unanimous decision (29-27, 30-26, 30-27).](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-285-jon-jones-ciryl-gane-heavyweight-title-shevchenko-grasso-play-by-play-live-results) [Marc-Andre Barriault def. Jamie Pickett via submission (arm-triangle) – Round 1, 2:54](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/03/ufc-285-results-bo-nickal-vs-jamie-pickett-debut-ncaa-wrestling) [Cody Garbrandt def. Jalin Turner via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27).](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-285-jon-jones-ciryl-gane-heavyweight-title-shevchenko-grasso-play-by-play-live-results) [Bo Nickal def. Geoff Neal via submission (standing rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 4:17.](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/03/ufc-285-results-shavkat-rakhmonov-vs-geoff-neal-submission) [Mateusz Gamrot def.

Alexa Grasso became the third Mexican UFC champion of 2023 on Saturday after completing a massive upset against Valentina Shevchenko.

This is part of the game. Grasso took advantage of the mistake. "This is what happens in mixed martial arts," Shevchenko said.

“Definitely an immediate rematch, because I know I was winning the fight,” Shevchenko told Joe Rogan during her in-cage post-fight interview. Grasso (16-3 MMA, ...

Shevchenko does see a positive side to the loss. “Every one trains hard, and you do whatever you have to do to win the fight in any situation,” Shevchenko said. This is part of the game. [was dethroned on Saturday night](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/03/ufc-285-results-alexa-grasso-submits-valentina-shevchenko-rear-naked-choke) in likely the biggest upset of 2023. Grasso (16-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) took Shevchenko’s back and submitted her after she failed on a spinning attack in the fourth round. “You’re winning the fight all rounds, no doubt, and a stupid situation can change the whole game.