LAS VEGAS – Alexa Grasso thinks there’s something of an ongoing unofficial tournament in the women’s flyweight division to determine who is next for longtime champion Valentina Shevchenko.
Grasso (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) is scheduled to meet Viviane Araujo (11-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) in the UFC Fight Night 212 headliner, which takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex and streams on ESPN+. It’s a key fight for the division, and comes one week ahead of another crucial matchup between Katlyn Chookagian and Manon Fiorot at UFC 280.
It’s Grasso’s belief that the UFC brass, as well as Shevchenko (23-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC), will be closely monitoring both bouts to see how they unfold. If Grasso shines brightest, she likes her chances of securing a title opportunity.
