UFC flyweight champion Alexa Grasso is gearing as much as struggle at UFC 306 — not too long ago rebranded as Riyadh Season Noche UFC — with or with out Valentina Shevchenko.
Regardless of teaching in opposition to each other for the continued season of The Final Fighter 32, Grasso nonetheless hasn’t acquired any assurances that Shevchenko goes to be her opponent on the Sept. 14 card. Shevchenko beforehand commented that she wasn’t all that enthusiastic about preventing on the Mexican Independence Day occasion once more after her earlier matchup in opposition to Grasso on the Noche UFC card in 2023 led to a controversial break up draw.
Grasso hopes Shevchenko in the end settles no matter reservations she has in opposition to preventing on the Sphere card in Las Vegas, as a result of she’s defending her belt a method or one other.
“That’s the plan,” Grasso stated. “That’s the struggle I wish to occur. I’ve to be a part of Noche UFC. How can I not be a part of Noche UFC this 12 months? So I simply actually hope she will be able to settle for the struggle. It’s good for each of us.”
As of now, UFC introduced the occasion together with a partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season, which serves because the titled sponsor for the cardboard, however no fights have been confirmed.
All indicators level to Grasso vs. Shevchenko 3 occurring, however the reigning champion at 125 kilos admits even she has no assurances who she’s preventing in September.
If Shevchenko finally ends up passing on the struggle, Grasso expects she is going to shift her consideration to Manon Fiorot, who’s the following individual in line for a title shot after defeating Erin Blanchfield again in March to maneuver her UFC file to 7-0 total.
“I feel that’s her alternative too,” Grasso stated of Fiorot. “She’s the No. 2 contender and he or she’s been having a pleasant successful streak. So simply in case if it’s not Valentina, I feel it’s going to be Manon.”
As champion, Grasso is aware of her job boils all the way down to defending the belt in opposition to anyone UFC throws at her, so whether or not it’s Shevchenko or Fiorot, she’s able to rock in September.
That being stated, Grasso hopes Shevchenko comes round and finally a deal will get inked to place them within the octagon collectively once more for the third and probably remaining time.
“It’s a struggle I wish to have,” Grasso stated. “The trilogy is one thing I would actually love. As a result of it is going to be the primary trilogy from ladies’s MMA. Each had been coaches on TUF, I’m from Mexico, she’s from Kyrgyzstan.
“We now have quite a lot of historical past and I’m actually impressed to be competing with somebody at this excessive, excessive degree.”
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