Shevchenko “A great source of inspiration for women”

Alexa Grasso can currently be seen training her rival Valentina Shevchenko on The Ultimate Fighter 32with a meeting at the Sphere in Las Vegas next September, the probable landing place for the fight of their coaches.

If all goes according to plan, they will be able to determine who the better fighter is. That, after Grasso scored a shock submission victory to dethrone the previously dominant flyweight champion from March 2023, a fight that was followed by a draw last September.

“I’m excited. I wish this fight was possible. I know she’s competitive, I’m competitive. We’ve shared forty-five minutes in the octagon now,” Grasso (16-3-1) told Cageside Press in an exclusive interview at International Fight Week “She’s someone I’ve watched for so long. She’s a big inspiration to women. Submit her, make her fall, make her fall, it’s amazing To get her back again.

Although some have raised the possibility of Shevchenko being the UFC flyweight champion’s next opponent, she is hopeful she can make the fight. “It’s really cool for me, and I just hope this fight can be done again.” Because we both didn’t like the draw, honestly. None of us like sweepstakes. This third fight could be an opportunity to see who is the best. »

Grasso also spoke with Cageside Press about the different mindset she keeps and the different way she carries herself as champion.

“Being a champion is very different. Now, every time I wake up, I say to myself: I have to be better than yesterday, I have to work harder. All the girls come to get my head,” she said.

That’s motivated Grasso to stay in shape, in better physical condition and with the best technique of her fighting career. “It’s hard to keep myself at that level,” the flyweight champion added. “You have to be excellent in everything you do. I think that’s what’s changed, being the contender and now the champion.”

“I worked so long for this opportunity, for this championship. I have really worked very, very hard from the beginning of my career until now. Right now I just want to stay sharper and sharper every time. »

Watch our full interview with UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso above.