Alexa Grasso gets back in action this weekend at UFC 246, against a former title challenger in Claudia Gadelha.
Las Vegas, NV — It’s been a few months since Alexa Grasso’s fight with former strawweight champ Carla Esparza. A majority decision didn’t go Grasso’s way at UFC Mexico City in September — but Grasso has been able to take away some positives ahead of her return at UFC 246 this weekend.
Speaking to Cageside Press at the UFC 246 media day on Thursday, Grasso explained that “you have to be very professional in every area. I can’t judge the judge’s decision, but I know I did my best. I did a great performance. I showed I’m getting better in every fight.”
More important, she added, “people enjoy it. The commentators are like crazy, saying things about the fight. That’s the most important thing for me. Of course I don’t like to lose, but the thing that I take [away] is to be better, get in the gym as soon as possible, and the next fight, prove them wrong.”
Grasso will face Claudia Gadelha at UFC 246, a tough fight against a veteran opponent who has challenged for gold in the division previously. It’s one of a number of big 115lb fights coming up, including Rose Namajunas vs. Jessica Andrade 2, and current champion Weili Zhange vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
Asked what fight she’s looking forward to herself, Grasso said “every girl in the division is very tough. They are very well rounded. So every fight in the strawweight division is amazing. So any fight is good — and I’m very excited for Joanna and Weili.”
The title fight it is then. As for her own opponent’s strengths, Grasso noted that “I know [Gadelha]’s a black belt in jiu-jitsu, I think that’s her strongest weapon. I’m ready to accept the challenge, I trained very hard for this one.”
And while she doesn’t pay much attention to talk that she’s just a boxer, Grasso was sure to point out that while “Everybody knows that I’m a striker, I’m working a lot too on the ground.”
Alexa Grasso faces Claudia Gadelha at UFC 248 this Saturday, January 18, 2020 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight airs on the PPV portion of the card.
