Alexa Grasso left many people speechless with her showing against all-time great Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 285.
The Mexican fighter ended Shevchenko’s historic title run on Saturday night in the co-main event in Las Vegas. Shevchenko (23-4 MMA, 12-3 UFC), who was attempting to further her record for the most consecutive title defenses in women’s UFC history, was submitted by Grasso (16-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) with a rear-naked choke in the fourth round.
Like many watching from home, numerous UFC stars, including Islam Makhachev, Brandon Moreno, Mackenzie Dern, and others sitting cageside, were completely shocked.
Below you can watch their real-time reactions to Grasso’s championship win.
The Octagon-side reactions to @AlexaGrasso's MASSIVE title victory! #UFC285 pic.twitter.com/opzHyeQadn
— UFC (@ufc) March 5, 2023
Grasso remains unbeaten since moving up to 125 pounds. She left strawweight and switched to flyweight in 2020 and racked up four consecutive wins before getting the title opportunity. En route to the belt, she defeated Ji Yeon Kim, Maycee Barber, Joanne Wood, and Viviane Araujo.
Grasso is now the first Mexico-born woman to win a UFC title.
For Shevchenko, the loss halted a historic championship run as she had seven consecutive title defenses. This was also her first loss at flyweight since she dropped from bantamweight in 2018.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 285.
