UFC 306 is right around the corner, and excitement grows with every passing hour. The main draw and some of the top fights have been known for some time now, and all that is left is for the fighters to enter the octagon. This was the right moment to talk to one of the participants and hear her opinion on the upcoming event and the world of UFC, MMA, and fighting in general.
One of the fights that will draw a lot of attention due to the rivalry present is the bout between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko. UFC Noche is scheduled for September 14th, and Stake.com ambassador and defending champion Alexa Grasso shared a few words of wisdom with the world before the monumental Las Vegas event.
During an interview with Stake, Grasso spoke in length about the historic UFC Noche, her ongoing rivalry with Shevchenko, and what her presence here means for the next-gen of Mexican fighters coming through the ranks at UFC. The defending champion first started by answering a question about her legacy and what would it look like if she won another one against Valentina Shevchenko.
The GOAT Aspirations in The Flyweight Division
When asked about her status as the greatest of all time in the female flyweight division which would be on the table after a win over Shevchenko, Alexa said that it’s not her decision to make. According to her, the goal has always been to be the greatest but the work was put into getting better by the day and winning the next fight in line.
Grasso vs. Shevchenko Relationship
Alexa Grasso speaks in high volumes about Shevchenko. The flyweight champion claims that it’s a love/hate relationship between the two intersected by a lot of respect. After all, Alexa grew up both as a person and as a fighter watching Shevchenko dominate in the UFC. So, being able to watch your idol, and grow to her level and eventually beat her meant the world to Grasso as the first-ever Mexican flyweight champion. After two amazing matches between the two girls, the third also promises to be a show for the fans. Alexa claims both of them are true professionals, who respect each other, and while mutual admiration can’t be denied, on September 14th at the Las Vegas sphere she will be going for the kill.
The Emotions Behind the Win and First Flyweight Belt
Upon entering the world of MMA, and later the UFC, for Grasso the goal was always the same – beating Valentina Shevchenko. After going through the ranks at UFC the day of the title duel finally came. The first fight for the belt was special, and a lot of kicking and hitting was expected, but, as the match moved on, the fight went to the ground and it was there where the chance for a win appeared, remembers Grasso. The Mexican fighter claims that the rear naked choke was a move she practiced for weeks and it came in handy when the title was on the line.
The Second Bout
The second bout between Grasso & Shevchenko was judged as a draw. Alexa doesn’t bode well with this decision claiming that she did enough to win it. When you combine all of the kicks, hits, and one knockdown it adds up to a win, claims Alexa. The judges saw it differently and let’s leave it at that concludes Grasso.
The Future of the Flyweight Division
There are rumors that Valentina Shevchenko will retire from the UFC if she loses this bout but Grasso keeps her focus on the upcoming fight stating that retirement is the decision Valentina will make for herself. At the same time, in the case of a win for her, Alexa desires to clear out the flyweight in coming bouts, if possible she muses, with a full focus on the UFC 306 and her bout vs. Shevchenko first.
Is Fight With Rose Namajunas on the Cards?
Namajunas is on a two-fight win streak and she has title aspirations, but Alexa Grasso is not yet prepared to give her a chance at the title bout. Instead, a fight against Manon Fiorot should be on the cards as Fiorot is more deserving of the title shot, claims Alexa Grasso.
Two-Weight Division Champ
To be a champion in two divisions is a dream and ambition of mine, states Grasso. Yet, because her friends Loopy Godinez and Irene Aldana are cruising through strawweight and bantamweight respectively, I’ll stick to flyweight for the time being, adds Grasso. The three of them are a part of the same team with a goal to each hold a title in their respective division, which explains Alexa’s decision to stay put.
Sean O’Malley vs Merab Dvalishvili Through Alexa’s Eyes
As it’s usually the case before the events such as UFC 306, Alexa Grasso was asked about her predictions about the Sean O’Malley vs Merab Dvalishvili bout. This bout will be a hard-fought duel, claims Grasso. Sean will be dominating while on legs, but come the wrestling time, Merab will hold the advantage making this match an unpredictable one, adds Grasso. If you’re planning to bet on this duel you should check Stake UFC predictions for this bout and all upcoming matches at UFC Noche at Las Vegas Sphere on September 14th.
Grasso’s View on Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler
I’d watch it, laughs Alexa. The Mexican fighter believes that her aspirations differ from those of Michael Chandler and that she understands that if he wants to wait out for Conor McGregor, he should do as he pleases. As a viewer I would be satisfied with that bout adds Grasso.
The Possibility of a Bout vs. Weili Zhang
It’s a big fight, my dream fight, and I would desire a bout against a strong, powerful, and well-rounded fighter such as Weili Zhang proclaims Alexa Grasso.
The Legacy That Will Alexa Grasso Leave to Future Generations of Mexican Fighters
The UFC journey for many Mexican fighters was a long one with some making it to the top and others failing muses Grasso. The last generation of fighters, where I belong, is a successful one, adds Alexa. It was a bumpy road to here from the first UFC champion, Brandon Moreno. These days, kids in Mexico want to be engaged with MMA, filling the Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, notes Grasso. The sport has evolved and grown in Mexico and it’s good to know that it happened on the back of three female fighters from Mexico, concludes Grasso.
History in the Making at UFC 306
UFC Noche is a historic event for all Mexican fighters as they will be fighting on the eve of the Mexican Independence Day. As the first-ever UFC event at The Sphere, it is a unique event all by itself. History will be made either way, but what matters the most is another win, and even more wins after that, and more title defenses as possible states Alexa Grasso.
Thoughts on Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson
It is all pure entertainment from my standpoint, claims Alexa. The boys want to fight, and the world should let them. But, it shouldn’t be viewed as anything more than a show, concludes Alexa Grasso. These were tad bits from the Alexa Grasso exclusive interview with Stake, where she shared her views on the upcoming events and her career in general. Now, the time is for us to give some attention to the rest of the card at UFC 306.
Sean O’Malley vs Merab Dvalishvili
This bout is the main event of the UFC 306, and one the fans are looking at the most in addition to the Grasso vs. Shevchenko one. Sean O’Malley will be defending the title, and he enters the octagon full of confidence after his first title defense. The title was claimed in a bout against Aljamain Sterling and defended against Marlon “Chito” Vera. O’Malley now stands at 18-1 with his only loss coming in a bout with Vera, which he managed to avenge. As one of the heaviest hitters in the division, he is a slight favorite entering this bout. Across him, in the octagon, there will be Dvalishvili, who is on a ten-win streak. No one could have predicted this the moment his UFC career started with two defeats. Now, he’s in a title bout, and fully deservedly so. Both men are more than ready for this match, and we can expect top-end fun when they face at UFC Noche.
Brian Ortega vs Diego Lopes
This bout was long in the making as their previously scheduled match for UFC 303 was canceled. It was a switch of destiny as now they both could represent their styles in front of thousands of people all being home crowds. Ortega will be looking to mount a comeback after missing some time with a shoulder injury. He won his last bout after the named injury against Yair Rodriguez, before being absent once again due to an illness. Lopes, on the other hand, participated at UFC 303 and easily won against the late replacement Dan Ige. On September 14th both men will try to continue forward with their aspirations. Ortega always snatches a win against the non-champion competition, only losing in the big bouts, while Lopes still waits for his chances at a title shot and a win here could bring him close to this landmark.
Daniel Zellhuber vs Esteban Ribovics
Here we have two up-and-coming fighters. Their chances to shine on the big stage comes at UFC Noche at The Sphere in Las Vegas. Zellhuber is a young MMA fighter with a score of 15-1, with three wins in the UFC. Nicknamed The Golden Boy managed to beat the likes of Francisco Prado and Christos Giagos on his way to this match. His opponent had a similar career trajectory. Esteban is a product of Dana White’s Contender Series. While he lost his debut duel, he managed to win the following two earning his spot at UFC Noche. We’re talking about two talented fighters, both of which will be looking to cement their place closer to the top brass fighters in the upcoming UFC events. The loser will have to start over from this point. Some argue that their duel came too early in their careers, but it will be a fun bout nonetheless.
Ronaldo Rodriguez vs Ode’ Osbourne
This is the bout that will kick off the main card. Ronaldo Rodriguez vs Ode’ Osbourne is a pay-per-view starter at UFC Noche and it’s a well-deserved one. Rodriguez is yet another of Dana White’s pupils from the Contender Series. After his loss at the hands of Jerome Rivera, he went on an undefeated streak which will culminate at UFC 306 and his fight against Ode’ Osbourne. On the other hand, Ode’ is already a mainstay at the UF but with mixed results. At the moment he holds a 4-5 record and is entering this bout on the back of two consecutive defeats. You can argue that Osbourne lacks consistency, but in the past, he put down the likes of Charles Johnson and Rivera. At 32 years of age, he’s a veteran in this bout looking to make one last stand or to pay a way for future generations. Rodriguez is the one under pressure here, as at 25 years of age, this is the moment where he needs to start racking up wins and rise in the rankings.
Summary
UFC 306 is only a few days away, and the excitement about the tournament is growing with every passing hour. You’ve read what Alexa Grasso thinks about it, and we’ve presented some of the main bouts. UFC Noche will have two title defenses, one by Grasso vs. Shevchenko and another with Sean O’Malley defending his against Merab Dvalishvili. A tournament in the shadow of Mexican independence at one of the world’s premium locations, The Sphere in Las Vegas is not an event you want to miss.
