At UFC Mexico City on Saturday, the co-main event saw Canadian-Iraqi Randa Markos take on Mexico’s Alexa Grasso in an exciting, back and forth strawweight tilt that wound up being one of the most exciting fights on the UFC Fight Night 114 card.
Round one saw Randa Markos capture the first half of the round. However, Grasso came back in the second half of the round, battling her way back in front of the raucus Mexican crowd who were firmly behind her. It was a big shift, especially with Grasso battling a UTI that caused her to miss weight coming into the bout.
In the second round, the pair clinched shortly after the action got underway, and Markos briefly managed to spend some time on top. Grasso began landing some strikes and kicks, but Markos was able to catch a Grasso kick and dump her opponent on her back. Markos then moved into half guard, and worked on passing to mount. That slowed the pace a little, and allowed Markos to work in some body shots. Grasso would make it back up, but she ate a knee along the way. Another takedown off a caught kick saw Markos land right in mount, but she was soon in half guard then reversed with Grasso on top. Markos worked to take the back and transitioned back to mount. Some heavy ground and pound followed. Grasso looked extremely uncomfortable, but she survived the round.
Round three saw Markos going high with her punches and looking to catch a leg again. Grasso was covering up between attacks and was looking tired. Markos took her down again two minutes into the round, which was huge for the Canadian-Iraqi fighter. After a minute or so on her back, Grasso bucked her opponent off and made it back up. With a minute to go Markos looked to have a takedown all but secured, picking up Grasso, but the Mexican fighter threatened with a choke and broke free. Grasso then connected with a combo, and managed to stay on her feet to the end of the round.
The judges saw it in favor of Grasso, with two giving her the fight 29-28.
Alexa Grasso def. Randa Markos by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
