Alexa Grasso has never had as much interaction with an opponent as she had Valentina Shevchenko ahead of their trilogy fight at UFC 306.
After fighting twice in 2023, Grasso (16-3-1 MMA, 8-3-1 UFC) and Shevchenko (23-4-1 MMA, 12-3-1 UFC) served as coaches on Season 32 of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series, where they spent several weeks in close quarters. It’s been a respectful relationship between the two sides since the first time they fought, but the competitive animosity after two results has grown under the surface.
At this point, Grasso struggles to describe her relationship with Shevchenko. She can only say it’s unusual in comparison to other experiences to this point in her fighting career.
