Grasso Vows To Fight At UFC 306, With Or Without Shevchenko
UFC Flyweight Champion Alexa Grasso wants to fight at UFC 306 from The Sphere in Las Vegas on September 14.
Grasso has not fought since her controversial split draw against Valentina Shevchenko at UFC Noche last year. Grasso won their first encounter, as they faced off at UFC Noche in the rematch. During the rematch, Mike Bell’s controversial 10-8 final scorecard for Grasso meant it was a split draw. Most of the MMA community felt that Shevchenko had been deprived of a win. Dana White also had issues with Bell’s scorecards, as it set up the narrative for the trilogy. However, both fighters have suffered injuries since then. They are also starring as rival coaches in the TUF 32 series. Reports suggest that the trilogy could take place on this card. Regardless, Grasso wanted to fight on the card.
Grasso Reacts
“That’s the plan. That’s the fight I would like to happen. I have to be part of Noche UFC. How can I not be part of Noche UFC this year? So I just truly hope she can accept the fight. It’s good for both of us… I think that’s [Manon’s] opportunity too. She’s the No. 2 contender and she’s been having a nice winning streak. So just in case if it’s not Valentina, I think it’s going to be Manon.
“It’s a fight I would like to have. The trilogy is something I would truly love. Because it will be the first trilogy from women’s MMA. Both were coaches on TUF, I’m from Mexico, she’s from Kyrgyzstan. We have a lot of history and I’m truly inspired to be competing with someone at this high, high level,” Grasso said
The UFC 306 fight is the first that will take place in the venue, as the event has now been called Riyadh Season Noche UFC. The move emerged after the UFC staged their first card in Saudi. The main event saw Robert Whittaker take on Ikram Aliskerov on June 22. Whittaker got the better of Ikram in the first round, stopping him with a brutal uppercut followed by a flurry. Once the event was over, Turki Alalshikh revealed his desire to hold further UFC fights. Much like Riyad Season is doing with boxing at events in the US and UK, they now want to do the same in the UFC.
UFC At The Sphere
“This will be one of the biggest sporting events of all time. What we’re going to pull off at Sphere will never be done again. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for sports fans. At the same time, this is going to be an incredible tribute to the Mexican people for their extraordinary contributions to combat sports.
“We’re thrilled that Turki Alalshikh and the Saudi General Entertainment Authority have stepped up to partner with us to make this the greatest event in the history of combat sports. Their participation shows just how massive the interest is from all over the world. Riyadh Season Noche UFC will be unforgettable.
“I am happy to confirm Riyadh Season will be the sponsor for Noche UFC taking place on September 14, 2024. This will be a milestone moment as it will be the first sporting event to take place at Sphere in Las Vegas. The UFC brand is recognized globally with its huge fanbase. This aligns with our own vision for Riyadh Season to collaborate to create and stage world-class events,” Dana White
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