Las Vegas, NV – Even though she preferred one more fight before a title shot UFC flyweight Alexa Grasso is taking the opportunity to bring gold back to Mexico when she faces champion Valentina Shevchenko for the title at UFC 285 on Saturday night.
“After that fight (against Viviane Araujo) I knew that this could be an option and since that time I just was focused on recovering and training just in case this could happen. I don’t know why but I had this date March 4 on my mind. I don’t know why,” Grasso told reporters including Cageside Press on Wednesday.
“My coach called me. He said hey we have the championship fight. I was like true? He said yeah. And I said like let’s do it! We’re ready. Why not? Who would say no to a championship fight right?”
Taking on the longtime champion would be a massive challenge for anyone, but Grasso embraces the difficult road to a title and knows this will be the biggest fight of her life.
“Well I’m a big fan of women’s MMA. Of course I’ve been watching her career for a long, long time. I think this is the biggest challenge of my life. I can say that I’m the best striker if I haven’t faced someone like her, and I am truly happy and inspired for this fight,” said Grasso.
“I know she’s tough. She’s dangerous in all areas and this made me train like tons. I was extreme with my discipline. I was extreme with my training, with my diet, with my conditioning, I was extreme in all areas. Definitely I’m a better athlete right now and I can’t wait to prove that.”
On the line is much more than a UFC world title as Grasso has the opportunity to make world history as the first female UFC champion from Mexico.
“Well imagine that you know. Making history I know that it’s not easy. It’s never easy. To be the first female Mexican champion. Like born, raised, training in Mexico means the world to me. It’s a big motivation. Of course, pressure too, I want to do it great. I’m super excited for this.”
Shevchenko is coming off a a split-decision victory over Taila Santos that had fans and pundits alike thinking this may finally be the time where Bullet is starting to fall off her throne. Grasso had a different point of view on the matter.
“Well she won. Sometimes you can’t be all-around perfect. Sometimes you do something wrong and people is judging you like oh no you’re not good, you’re no good at this, but I think she’s great. She trained very hard. She’s always training, she’s a good athlete, and I’m just expecting the best version of Valentina for this fight,” said Grasso.
Another special foot note in this bout is the possibility that Grasso’s teammate, bantamweight Irene Aldana, is on the short list for a title shot at 135-pounds. To become the flyweight champion, and maybe have Aldana become the bantamweight champion, would be a dream for Team Grasso.
“Imagine that. We both started our careers together. We are always training together. We are like always supporting each other. That’s important for us, for Mexico, for my team, for my coaches,” Grasso told Cageside Press.
“That having two women fighting and winning a championship in the UFC…it’s amazing.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Alexa Grasso above. Grasso challenges UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko for the title at UFC 285 in the co-main event at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night.
