It was the tap out heard around the MMA world. As soon as Alexa Grasso saw Valentina Shevchenko begin to move into a backspin kick during their March 4 match at UFC 285, the then-challenger for the women’s flyweight title instinctively moved behind the champion and executed a chokehold. Shevchenko submitted, setting stage the stage for a rematch that tops the fight card for the inaugural Noche UFC taking place on the evening of Sept. 16, Mexican Independence Day.
Grasso, from Guadalajara, is not only the second undisputed women’s champion hailing from Mexico (and second fighter to defeat Shevchenko) but is the third Mexican citizen to win a UFC title this year. Her victory follows Brandon Moreno’s unification of the flyweight title at UFC 283 and Yair Rodríguez’s interim featherweight title win at UFC 284 in Perth, Australia.
A rematch was the perfect foundation to build the first Fight Night event dedicated to Mexican Independence Day. UFC president Dana White admitted recently that it’s been an oversight to not showcase “world champions and Mexican talent” on a Mexican holiday and upon realization immediately set about rectifying that mistake.
The result will likely catapult Grasso into MMA celebrity status if she defeats Shevchenko again. It won’t be easy. Shevchenko knows now that Grasso anticipates her spinning techniques and isn’t likely to turn her back on Grasso whatsoever. Grasso will have to rely on her sharp striking ability more than her submission intuition, while Kyrgyzstan-born Peru resident Shevchenko will adjust her Muay Thai training to minimize openings that Grasso can exploit.
Mexico’s Raúl Rosas Jr. takes on U.S. fighter Terrence Mitchell in a bantamweight bout, while Daniel Zellhuber represents the red, white and green in lightweight battle with Christos Giagos. Featherweight Fernando Padilla (versus Kyle Nelson) and Tijuana flyweight Edgar Cháirez (against Daniel Lacerda) round out the men’s Mexican contingent.
Three more women’s fights are scheduled, including a strawweight clash between Mexico’s Lupita Godinez and Sam Hughes. The card promises to saturate the Strip with fight fans from both sides of the border in the time leading up to Noche UFC, which is likely to be one of the most electric MMA events ever held in Las Vegas. At a time when UFC’s parent company has recently acquired Vince McMahon’s WWE and some sort of consolidation will be happening in combat sports both in the Octagon and wrestling’s squared circle, it makes sense to break down barriers between markets where both sports are insanely popular.
Expect MMA in Vegas to be part of every future Mexican Independence Day. It will also be the beginning of Grasso’s legacy if she manages to hold onto her title. An underdog in her previous match with Shevchenko, she’s on a five-fight win streak and has four knockouts and five first-round finishes on her record. Shevchenko has eight knockout wins, seven submission wins and six first-round finishes. Evenly matched in reach and weight, whoever prevails will make Noche UFC history.
T-Mobile Arena, 4 p.m. Sept. 16, prices vary. axs.com
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