LAS VEGAS — The rivalry between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko might need a trilogy.
Grasso and Shevchenko fought to a split draw (48-47, 47-48, 47-47) on Saturday night in the main event of Noche UFC at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Because of the result, Grasso retained the UFC women’s flyweight title.
“Draw — it’s not a loss,” Shevchenko said. “But in my case, it’s not a victory.”
Saturday’s bout was an immediate rematch after Grasso beat Shevchenko to win the belt six months ago.
The fight went back and forth. Grasso dropped Shevchenko in the second round. Shevchenko nearly finished Grasso in the third round with a mounted guillotine choke. It ended with Grasso on Shevchenko’s back landing punches.
The card was the UFC’s first celebration of Mexican Independence Day. The heavily Mexican and Mexican-American crowd booed Shevchenko and the result of the bout. Grasso said she thought she won the fight three rounds to two.
“It was my first main, main event on such an amazing date in Las Vegas,” Grasso said. “I always wanted to fight on this date. I’m truly happy with my performance.”
Grasso won the first fight via fourth-round submission (rear-naked choke) to take the title at UFC 285 in March. She became…
