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5 Months After Losing Her Title, Valentina Shevchenko Lays Bare Her Emotions Ahead of Alexa Grasso Rematch

Published 09/14/2023, 3:43 AM EDT

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Valentina Shevchenko as a fighter, has seen her own highs and lows. Her recent loss to Alexa Grasso has been one of her most painful defeats as she lost her title. Since that setback, she has been relentless in her training for months, diligently addressing her past mistakes. Their rematch is set to happen this Saturday, which will decide the fate of both fighters.

Shevchenko is set to clash with Alexa Grasso in an immediate rematch for the UFC women’s flyweight championship this upcoming Saturday in the main event of Noche UFC, which takes place at T-Mobile Arena. However, before the fight, Shevchenko, in a press conference, stated that she would show no mercy while facing Grasso.

Shevchenko’s unwavering determination for Saturday’s main event

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The 35-year-old former champion, during a press conference, expressed her commitment to going all out in this Saturday’s main event. When asked about her last fight, Shevchenko stated that she doesn’t dwell on the past mistakes and is focused on the present. Shevchenko quoted, “Watching the fight back, I would say I was winning all the fights from the first round, except the last moment of the fourth round. Another thing, right now, what is my mindset and my focus? I won’t go back to the March; I won’t go back and think about what happened there”.

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Shevchenko also mentioned that she has been training relentlessly since the defeat. She has been reflecting on the loss extensively during her camp, and currently, she is highly motivated to overcome those feelings. She stated, “I did it already; I did it through all my training camp; I did it for all these months. And right now, I’m a person who’s motivated and determined to get rid of those feelings from back then in March. I am very focused on what I have to do this Saturday. That’s why it’s my mindset”.

Shevchenko further added that she will have no mercy while entering the octagon this Saturday. She added, “I’ll never look back because everything I had to take from the fight, I already took. Now, with all this strong, positive energy, and no mercy, I’ll go to the end. I will step into Saturday”.

The clash between Valentina Shevchenko and Alexa Grasso

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Shevchenko had a confrontation with Grasso back in March this year. Their fight ended up with Grasso snatching the championship belt from Shevchenko. The fight began with Grasso surprising everyone by adopting a southpaw stance and establishing her dominance in the first round. However, Shevchenko adapted in the subsequent rounds and employed her superior grappling skills to defeat Grasso. Shevchenko thus in this manner, dominated the entire second and third rounds.

USA Today via Reuters

However, In the fourth round, Grasso attempted to defend takedowns, but Shevchenko maintained control. Yet, in a dramatic twist, with just a minute left, Grasso seized an opportunity, latching onto Shevchenko’s back and securing a rear naked chokehold, forcing a tap-out victory.

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What do you think, who will emerge victorious in their rematch? Will Valentina Shevchenko regain her title, or will Alexa Grasso succeed in defending it? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Watch this story: “Life Isn’t Fair, Right?” – Just Days After Israel Adesanya Lost His Title, Robert Whittaker Rubs Salt on Rival’s Wounds Over Sean Strickland Rematch Talks

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Written by:

Suryakant Das

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Suryakant Das is a passionate fan of UFC, mixed martial arts, and bodybuilding. Alongside his passion for sports activities, he is training to be a chartered accountant and has previously worked as a content lead in varied organizations. Suryakant's writing reveals a unique perspective on the world of MMA, enriched by his hunger to consume the latest happenings in the sport.
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Edited by:

Kratika Vajpayee