LAS VEGAS — Alexa Grasso retained her UFC women’s flyweight title with a split-draw decision (48-47, 47-48, 47-47) against former champion Valentina Shevchenko at UFC Noche at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday.
“I did a lot of damage. All my punches were harder,” Grasso said in the Octagon after the fight. “I was close all the time, doing a lot of damage. I was always trying to submit her. I think I did enough [to win the fight.]
It was a razor-thin decision as both fighters had their moments of control and dominance throughout the five-round battle.
Shevchenko said she felt she did enough to win.
“I think it was 3-2 on my side, but judges felt a little bit of pressure because it’s Mexican Independence Day, so that’s why that’s why there’s one for the Mexican fighter,” Shevchenko said. “I expected a battle and went through the work. I fought ‘til the end, and I think I did enough in a fair fight and fair competition, victory would be mine.”
As for a potential third fight, Grasso said, “Let’s see what’s next.”
In the co-main event, Jack Della Maddalena edged Kevin Holland with a split decision victory.
Raul Rosas Jr. bounced back from his first professional boss and knocked out Terrance Mitchell 54 seconds into the first round of their bout, earning Rosas a performance bonus.
Daniel Zellhuber submitted Christos Giagos with an anaconda choke at 3:26 of the second round. The victory earned Zelhuber a $50,000 performance bonus.
Kyle Nelson earned a unanimous decision victory over Fernando Padilla, taking the scorecards 29-28 on two scorecards and 30-27 on another.
UFC Preliminary Card Results
- Loopy Godinez def. Elise Reed via submission (rear naked choke).
- Roman Kopylov def. Josh Fremd via TKO (body shot).
- Edgar Chairez versus Daniel Lacerda declared a no decision.
- Tracy Cortez def. Jasmine Jasudavicius by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28).
- Charlie Campbell def. Alex Reyes by TKO (right hand).
- Josefine Knutsson def. Marnic Mann by unanimous decision (30-24, 30-25, 30-27)
