Alexa Grasso picked up arguably the biggest win of her career – and got her first submission win in the process.
Grasso (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) submitted Joanne Wood (15-8 MMA, 7-8 UFC) with a first-round rear-naked choke Saturday. Not only was it her first career submission, it was her first finish in more than seven years.
The women’s flyweight bout was the UFC on ESPN 33 co-main event at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Grasso and Wood traded punches in close, then kicks early, and Grasso used the tight quarters to sweep the fight to the canvas. She went to work on top in Wood’s guard. Grasso landed short punches on top, but about midway through the round, she let Wood back to her feet. Grasso threw a high kick that Wood caught and used to land a punch.
After more exchanges on the feet, Grasso ate a spinning elbow from Wood, but used it to land another takedown with 90 seconds left in the round. She worked for a choke and got it with relative ease. With her arm under Wood’s chin, Wood had no choice but to tap.
One & done for @AlexaGrasso 💪 #UFCColumbus pic.twitter.com/5U2uKgIGfK
— UFC (@ufc) March 27, 2022
Grasso won for the third straight time and kept her in the women’s flyweight title picture. Wood lost for the third straight time and fourth time in five fights.
Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 33 results include:
- Alexa Grasso def. Joanne Wood via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:57
- Bryan Barberena def. Matt Brown via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Kai Kara-France def. Askar Askarov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Neil Magny def. Max Griffin via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Marc Diakiese def. Viacheslav Borshchev via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Sara McMann def. Karol Rosa via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Chris Gutierrez def. Danaa Batgerel via TKO (spinning back fist, punches) – Round 2, 2:34
- Aliaskhab Khizriev def. Denis Tiuliulin via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:58
- Manon Fiorot def. Jennifer Maia via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Matheus Nicolau def. David Dvorak via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Luis Saldana def. Bruno Souza via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
