A much-anticipated rematch between Alexa Grasso and former UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is scheduled for this Saturday at UFC Fight Night 227. This fight follows Shevchenko’s shocking defeat to Grasso, one of the biggest upsets in MMA history.
Valentina Shevchenko’s dominance within the Octagon is undeniable. She holds the record for the most consecutive title defenses across all UFC women’s divisions. At the pinnacle of her career, even Conor McGregor believed in her ability to conquer Henry Cejudo.
However, at UFC 285, Shevchenko’s quest for her eighth successive flyweight title defense took an unexpected turn when she was ensnared in a submission by the 6/1 underdog, Alexa Grasso. The post-fight elation in Grasso’s voice echoed her disbelief as she exclaimed, “Please punch me because I feel like I’m dreaming! I’ve been dreaming of this moment. Thank you everyone here, thank you so much.”
Shevchenko, never one to accept a loss easily, demanded a rematch, and the stage is now set for their second encounter. While Shevchenko’s defeat to Grasso is an unforgettable highlight in her excellent career, it is important to acknowledge that she is not the only fighter to have defeated the former champion.
Have a look at the career losses of Valentina Shevchenko
Apart from Alexa Grasso, only two fighters have managed to defeat Valentina Shevchenko in her illustrious fighting career, making a total of four losses on her record.
C3 Fights: Red River Rivalry: Shevchenko’s journey through the octagon began back in September 2010 at C3 Fights: Red River Rivalry, where she faced Liz Carmouche. It was in this early bout that Shevchenko experienced her first MMA loss, succumbing to Carmouche via TKO due to a doctor’s stoppage.
UFC 196: In 2016, at UFC 196, Shevchenko faced Amanda Nunes, popularly known as “The Lioness.” However, Nunes prevailed in this fight, winning by unanimous decision in the third round.
Amanda Nunes displayed remarkable resilience, successfully defending against Valentina Shevchenko’s relentless attacks throughout all three rounds. Her exceptional efforts during the initial two rounds left a lasting impression on the judges. It was Shevchenko’s first loss in UFC.
UFC 215: Later in 2017, Shevchenko defeated Holly Holm and Julianna Pena to earn a rematch with Nunes. Finally, UFC 215 featured their rematch, and while the rematch was quite exciting, Shevchenko still fell short as Nunes won by split decision.
Shevchenko’s most recent defeat came at UFC 285 when she faced the feisty Alexa Grasso. For now, fans are eager to witness the victory of Shevchenko over Grasso.
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