In the electrifying rematch between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko, fight fans were treated to a rollercoaster of emotions, culminating in a surprising split draw decision. This Noche UFC clash, which unfolded at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on September 16, left us with a fight for the ages.
Round 1: Shevchenko’s Early Dominance
The opening round saw Grasso in the orthodox stance, while Shevchenko opted for southpaw. She wasted no time, firing a snappy body kick and a left hand over Grasso’s guard, showing her intent to take control. Grasso, with a wide stance, remained patient, but Shevchenko’s aggression prevailed. She landed crisp punches, slipping Grasso’s counters, and even secured a takedown, eventually transitioning to mount. Grasso’s resilience shone as she escaped, ending the round with a good scramble. MMA Hook scored this round 10-9 in favor of Shevchenko.
Round 2: Grasso’s Resurgence
Round 2 witnessed a determined Grasso coming back strong. Shevchenko, without resorting to her signature spinning moves, found herself in a tricky situation as Grasso dropped her with an unexpected strike. Grasso launched a relentless attack, but Shevchenko, displaying her grappling prowess, executed a powerful double-leg takedown. The round ended with both fighters in a clinch, MMA Hook giving it 10-8 in Grasso’s favor, evening the overall score to 19-18 for Grasso.
Round 3: Shevchenko’s Comeback
Heading into the third round, Shevchenko appeared a bit shaken in her corner. Grasso switched to orthodox, and Shevchenko executed a beautiful double leg takedown. Shevchenko attempted a guillotine choke, transitioning to mount, but Grasso survived. Shevchenko maintained control for most of the round, and MMA Hook scored it 10-8 for Shevchenko, putting her ahead 28-27 overall.
Round 4: Back-and-Forth Battle
The fourth round continued the intense back-and-forth action, with both fighters having their moments. Grasso displayed improved pressure, while Shevchenko capitalized on her jab, picking her opponent apart. Grasso stuffed a takedown attempt and landed some punishing knees to Shevchenko’s head. Both fighters had their moments, making it a closely contested round. MMA Hook scored it 10-9 for Grasso, leaving the overall score at 37-37.
Round 5: The Decisive Round
As the final round commenced, it was clear that everything hinged on this crucial moment. Grasso initiated the round in orthodox but quickly switched stances. Shevchenko’s jab continued to find its mark, and her movement frustrated Grasso’s attempts to land significant combinations. Shevchenko seemed in vintage form, employing hit-and-move tactics effectively. Grasso, with desperation in her eyes, charged forward, landing a right hook. However, Shevchenko’s volume and precision stood out. With 90 seconds left, Grasso managed to secure back mount, attempting a choke. This late surge created an intense climax, but the round ultimately ended with Grasso in control. MMA Hook scored it 10-9 for Grasso.
The Shocking Split Draw
After a fiercely contested battle, the judges rendered a split draw decision (48-47, 47-48, 47-47), leaving fans and experts alike stunned. Shevchenko’s dominance in the third and fourth rounds and Grasso’s late surge in the final round created a scenario where neither fighter could claim outright victory. It was a fight that kept us on the edge of our seats, reminding us of the unpredictability and excitement that MMA brings to the world of sports.
In this epic rematch between two warriors, the fight game proved once again that anything can happen inside the octagon. Whether you were rooting for Shevchenko to retain her title or cheering on Grasso’s underdog story, this bout showcased the heart, skill, and drama that make MMA a sport like no other.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Valentina Shevchenko vs. Alexa Grasso 2
Q: What was the result of the Valentina Shevchenko vs. Alexa Grasso 2 fight?
A: The fight between Valentina Shevchenko and Alexa Grasso 2 ended in a split draw. The judges’ scores were 48-47 in favor of Shevchenko, 47-48 in favor of Grasso, and 47-47, resulting in a draw.
Q: Where did the Valentina Shevchenko vs. Alexa Grasso 2 fight take place?
A: The fight took place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Q: How did the rounds unfold in the Valentina Shevchenko vs. Alexa Grasso 2 fight?
A: In the first round, Shevchenko dominated with her striking and secured a takedown. Grasso came back strong in the second round, dropping Shevchenko and controlling the grappling exchanges. The third round saw Shevchenko mount a comeback, utilizing her ground game. The fourth round was closely contested, with both fighters having their moments. Grasso finished strong in the fifth round, attempting a choke.
Q: Who scored the fight rounds and what was the overall score?
A: MMA Hook scored the rounds as follows: Round 1 (10-9 Shevchenko), Round 2 (10-8 Grasso), Round 3 (10-8 Shevchenko), Round 4 (10-9 Grasso), and Round 5 (10-9 Grasso). The overall score was a split draw with scores of 48-47 for Shevchenko, 47-48 for Grasso, and 47-47, resulting in a draw.
Q: What made this fight particularly exciting?
A: This fight was thrilling because it featured a mix of striking and grappling exchanges, with both fighters having moments of dominance. The split draw decision added an element of unpredictability, keeping fans on the edge of their seats throughout the bout.
Q: Were there any significant moments in the fight?
A: Yes, there were several significant moments, including Grasso dropping Shevchenko in the second round, Shevchenko’s dominant ground control in the third and fourth rounds, and Grasso’s late surge in the fifth round, where she attempted a choke that could have potentially secured her the victory.
Q: How did the fighters perform in this rematch compared to their previous encounter?
A: Both fighters showed improvements in their skills and had their moments of success. Grasso displayed better pressure and striking, while Shevchenko showcased her grappling abilities. The rematch was closely contested, making it difficult to declare a clear winner.
Q: What does a split draw decision mean for the fighters’ careers?
A: A split draw decision means that neither fighter won nor lost the bout definitively. It leaves both fighters in a unique position, as they may either have a rematch in the future to settle the score or move on to face other opponents in their respective careers.
More about Valentina Shevchenko vs. Alexa Grasso 2
- Valentina Shevchenko – UFC fighter profile for Valentina Shevchenko.
- Alexa Grasso – UFC fighter profile for Alexa Grasso.
- T-Mobile Arena – Official website of the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
- MMA Hook – The source for the live blog and scoring of the fight.
- UFC – Official website of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where you can find more information about the event and fighters.
- Mixed Martial Arts – Wikipedia page providing an overview of mixed martial arts, the sport in which the fight took place.
3 comments
Grasso’s comeback in the fifth round was insanee! She almost had it!
I can’t belive it ended in a draw! Ths fight was so intese and close!
Love how they gave us a live blog from MMA Hook. Great write-up!