Alexa Grasso

The Mexican fighter was a huge underdog coming into the fight before securing the rear-naked choke in the fourth round.

"It was the training," Grasso said. Shevchenko, whose win streak was snapped at nine, suffered her first defeat since a disputed split decision against Amanda Nunes in their 2017 rematch for the bantamweight title. Grasso ducked in to instantly take Shevchenko's back while securing a rear-naked choke as the two fell to the ground. "This is kind of what is happening in mixed martial arts. Shevchenko's incredible flyweight title reign, which began in 2018 with a decision win over Joanna Jedrzejczyk for the vacant title, reached a UFC female record of seven title defenses. "I have dreamed of this moment for so long."

And she did it with a submission in the UFC 285 co-main event. Valentina Shevchenko had great timing on her takedowns. But an errant spinning back kick attempt ...

Shevchenko added two more takedowns in the third round and was putting together some crisp jabs early in the fourth. "I feel like I'm dreaming," a jubilant Grasso told Joe Rogan in the Octagon. After Grasso had success with her hands in the first round, Shevchenko shrewdly slowed down the action with a pair of takedowns in the second round.

“Definitely an immediate rematch, because I know I was winning the fight,” Shevchenko told Joe Rogan during her in-cage post-fight interview. Grasso (16-3 MMA, ...

Shevchenko does see a positive side to the loss. “Every one trains hard, and you do whatever you have to do to win the fight in any situation,” Shevchenko said. This is part of the game. [was dethroned on Saturday night](https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/03/ufc-285-results-alexa-grasso-submits-valentina-shevchenko-rear-naked-choke) in likely the biggest upset of 2023. Grasso (16-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) took Shevchenko’s back and submitted her after she failed on a spinning attack in the fourth round. “You’re winning the fight all rounds, no doubt, and a stupid situation can change the whole game.