Alexa Grasso discusses training for the move that helped beat Valentina Shevchenko | ESPN MMA

UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso speaks with ESPN MMA’s Marc Raimondi about her upset win vs. Valentina Shevchenko to win the belt. They also discuss the video that came out after the fight of her practicing the sequence that led to the finish, thoughts on a rematch and wanting to attend Canelo Alvarez’s next bout.
0:00 Intro
1:24 Practicing the sequence that won the fight
2:58 Thoughts on a rematch
5:50 Inspirations in MMA
8:46 The extra motivation she received
12:55 Feeling shy to bring the belt places
14:12 When Valentina said she knew her fears
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[@mastermind2173]

The most humble and respectful champion. The way she respect her opponent makes her a better person and a great fighter. I am super happy for Grasso.

[@flyingmonke]

Way better looking than the man lady Valentina as well

[@ricvaladez2563]

UFC has an amazing person as a Champion in Alexa!! Such a great human being!!!

[@mastermind2173]

@@flyingmonke not a nice thing to say bro. This is a fight game not a beauty competition. Lol.

[@mastermind2173]

@Jane Lol

[@teleportdinero]

@Jane Yo bro are you the chosen one ?

[@goldengilmaky6788]

She’s so composed, and that can play on the mind of her opponents. Silent killer.

[@andreszambrano2183]

Fr. All of fight week she looked super calm and normal. Silent killer indeed.

[@FC-kn3eb]

How nice is to see a champion with such a true friendly and respectful attitude! Let´s give ALEXA GRASSO all the credit she deserves, overcoming all obstacles against her. Congratulations Alexa, well deserved victory and what an exemplary respectful attitude! A true role model! A true CHAMPION!

[@LeeRacksx4]

I love how humble she is and I can tell her soul is pure. I hope she be the champ for a while.

[@dagreatestof]

What a cute and respectful lovely girl 😭😭 i love this kinda of champions alot..no b.s talk no bish talk.. just hardwork and real talk.

[@VeraxMusic]

Couldn't have happened to a nicer person. Her maturity level is crazy, I really could learn from her.

[@amirrezarezaie]

She is shy, humble and awkward at times and I love it. We need more of these respectful and chill champions. Congratulations to Alexa and her team.

[@ST-tf4sq]

humble, talented and respectful, hope she stays champ for a long time, she deserves it.

[@siddhantkumar9287]

This fight was a bit overshadowed by Jones return. But, man, what this lady managed to do was downright mind boggling. Her composure and swiftness was revelatory.

[@jacobrochman6630]

how can such an angel throw pistons for punches like she does?

[@sergioj.rodriguez1190]

Such a beautiful and humble soul. But she is a silent ninja, too. Way to go, Champ!! Much love from the 602!!🇺🇸🇲🇽👊🏼

[@thefishinglor6931]

It was unreal watching it in real time! I couldn’t believe it was happening until they were laying down I finally processed everything I just witnessed and Alexa actually outstruck Valentino to force her into attempting to take it to the ground but Alexa was a champ waiting for the opportunity and she executed that perfectly!

[@thefishinglor6931]

@BLACK BULL top contenders are so close any little mistake is enough to make the difference. Valentina is still great she just got caught but now she’s gonna get her opportunity to adjust and try again so we’ll see the truth

[@Legendary_Deuce]

Glad she shut down Valentinas huge ego

[@williamchandler2558]

You were amazing, I love how you stand your ground and move forward.

[@dunnoewatzgood]

what a great moment shes such a good person happy for her

[@tengunnerunleashed]

She's a great champ and good ambassador of the sport. I'm looking for the rematch.

[@pudgyfolds2186]

Alexa was winning the exchanges and was on her way to winning a dec, like i predicted. Was amazing the way she finished her. OMG that crank/choke was so nasty. Hats off. So happy for Alexa

[@deepthoughts1739]

She wasn’t winning the exchanges near the end of the fight. She was eating jabs from Valentina that nullified her boxing. You can’t act like she didn’t have any problems in the fight. She did very well though.

[@pudgyfolds2186]

@@deepthoughts1739 I think, along with many others that alexa was getting the better of the striking exchanges, thats why valentina was shooting takedowns from way out. Sure, she was pot shotting her with her karate style but was still eating hard shots too, imo the harder shots

[@gimmick7389]

@@deepthoughts1739 other than getting lay and prayed a little bit alexa was definitely leading the fight

[@deepthoughts1739]

@@gimmick7389 No she wasn’t.

[@deepthoughts1739]

@@gimmick7389 By the fourth round Valentina was winning the fight. She was leading in striking and more take downs.

[@chakathekid7062]

I remember screaming once Valentina tapped, well deserved, grasso !!! Viva 🇲🇽!!!

[@jorgeromero3267]

She turned Valentina in to a wrestler no way this was a fluke...rematch will be interesting to see what game plan both fighters will make...

[@tonyfergusonisthetypeofguy142]

Valentina always wrestles

[@flyingmonke]

@@tonyfergusonisthetypeofguy142 not defensively

[@tonyfergusonisthetypeofguy142]

@@flyingmonke she wrestled her offensively aswell

[@cgguzman84]

Valentina does wrestle a lot. And alsooooo, she was piecing up Grasso

[@Supahmusic_]

I love Her laughter at 13:23

[@silverscreen1se]

Valentina needed to be humbled

[@josemarquez6711]

She’s just like any other respectful Mexican girl I few up with. Sweet, respectful & loyal to her family n friends…. Oh wait except she’s a killer in the octagon, all around mma practitioner

[@alcottdevalte7440]

Really nice that this kid got the job done. Most likely winning the submission of the year.

[@thefishinglor6931]

Alexa deserves so much more credit than she received but it’s just not sunk in yet. If she does it again which should be the same because she didn’t just get lucky she walked her down like a predator and forced the outcome! Valentina did look a little surprised and caught off guard but she will get her chance to watch the fight and revise her game so all the parts are reset and the game will restart

[@doordasher2366]

Definitely not a fluke like Pena. She's the real deal.

[@twallztheclairvoyant2784]

Yo Marc.... where you been man!!! I need more of your interviews. UFC, WWE, whatever you do good work!!!

[@RurouniKenshinShinta]

She way to awesome, the perfect champ!

[@John3.16.17]

Amazing human being ❤🎉

[@youtubetube9723]

She’s beautiful inside and out!

[@karmaforall2544]

Yes I would

[@BingeThinker1814]

She's so likable

[@jinku77]

To the question, why are p4p fighters are losing? I would say the game is evolving tacticly. Usman and Valentina lost because their opponents studied them so much that they found holes to exploit. In the case of Adensanya was more of a bad match up thing. However, Pereira knew he had to take away Izzy's mobility so went for the calf kicks the whole fight and they paid off at the 5th round

[@kidcharlemagne8717]

Valentina just made a mistake for a moment and it cost her the fight, as much as id love a mexican champ the previous fight makes it pretty obvious shes no match for valentina overall.

[@jinku77]

@@kidcharlemagne8717 It was a 50/50. Valentina made a mistake but Alexa set up the mistake and trained so hard to capitalize that mistake. It was obvious by how fast she did the move. Of course, Valentina is gonna be prepared for that next fight. Let's see what happens

[@icecoldyellowredbull]

I lace Valentina but seriously Val needs to show more respect. Grasso outclassed her everywhere man.

[@EricMichaelMehl]

All class !!!

[@williamchandler2558]

My new favorite fighter,Grasso

[@BlazerGang25]

Viva Mexico Mi Raza! 🇲🇽

[@paujman]

I don’t see how Valentina saw a lil puppy in Grasso. Grasso seems so grounded in the moment. And sees what is. In any case,that puppy can pounce.

[@Sameer-mv4qt]

Love her

[@tattoos4maryjane]

Sweet,Sweet Grasso!! Get um CHAMP !!

[@juiceman562]

GRASSO 🇲🇽🙏😍

[@Lilpokeball]

Shevchenko got beat the last time also that gave Grasso the extra boost and belief

[@user-mi5wj4pj1w]

Stay Humble Champ.

[@Dante-xy2bm]

The queen 👸!!! 🇲🇽🥷🔥

[@GodsInUs]

King

[@robot9071]

Pump the brakes. We don't know if it will turn out like Leon or like Juliana pena

[@flyingmonke]

@@robot9071 mostly Leon

[@mumblz408]

I love her so much.

[@williamchandler2558]

What a sweetheart

[@bossking9490]

Very cool champion

[@erickgonzalez6883]

She’s so humble makes you like she even more besides being a baddy hahah

[@ejoshcoron]

Adorable champ

[@leldnguyen2403]

sweet, smart and humble outside the cage, a determined, gritty savage inside the cage. much more likeable than the former 125 champ.

[@rparas34]

She is so adorable lol

[@anderson_ptomaz]

Will Val comeback like Nunes or like Joanna? Praying for the n1 option 😢

[@TheFifapro44]

Option 2, unfortunately.

[@lonestar1123]

She’s a doll 😊

[@JohnDoe-gk5xj]

Let's go 🏆 champ😊

[@victormanueluscanga2857]

Mi Ídola ALEXA, we LOVE YOU ALEXA GRASSO, MEXICO TE AMA, y que Viva MEXICO k-brones..🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🙏🏼👍🏻🙏🏼 ALEXA GRASSO FOREVER 🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽

[@nemesisraleng17]

How can I not love her. Come on stop it Alexa

[@jessejames2546]

She’s the CMF

[@user-xm7db2hp6m]

Congragdilatins Alexa😊

[@Guru-ue2yp]

She is beautiful❤❤

[@taxfree4603]

She will win the rematch

[@janeeescobedo2703]

Te quieroooo alexa

[@ricvaladez2563]

Alexa!!!!!!

[@xavierdaniels9023]

She study her so much she starting to take on her accent

[@DicDeryn]

This was a well planned assassination, the southpaw switch that negated Val's kicks, the crucifix escape and the execution. Grasso by decision in the return, Val is too negative to win as a challenger.

[@madgavin7568]

What do you mean 'too negative?'

[@DicDeryn]

​@@madgavin7568 remember when Val fought Nunes, she thought she won but as a challenger you have to be more decisive, in a close fight the champion usually gets the judges' nod. Val is a very cautious fighter who rarely presses forward. I see Grasso getting the decision in a close fight because she has the champ's privilege and will be the one moving forward. That's how I see it going anyway.

[@madgavin7568]

@@DicDeryn I don't think that's the best comparison. Shev is more aggressive nowadays.

[@frankruiz2397]

🎉

[@ivanarias9694]

No te compares alexa con ese pallaso de canelo tu eres una campeona lejitima el canelo no el pelea con oponentes de vajo nivel

[@wolverinex4243]

Shevchenko doesn't know why they duck Alexa.

[@logitech4365]

And she's beautiful too.....

[@HottestofDawgs]

Alexa is the champ that Valentina truly wishes she was. Alexa has more integrity in her little finger than Valentina has in her whole being.

[@Denchanter]

She is likeable

[@realityosei3689]

shes so beautiful

[@Tony_Ruiz95]

she’s a babe !

[@ivannolasco6947]

🔥🔥🔥🇲🇽🇲🇽🏆🏆

[@jorgeRodriguez-fu6qi]

Hi Alexa hola 👋🙋😍si mi da muncho busto y Amor al mira a te hoy gracias Thank you👍you are the best😛😊

[@theritwickkumar]

STAKE !

[@unayssheikh1070]

Steak!

[@williamchandler2558]

You are beautiful

[@Ray.1176]

Rematch she looses like pena everybody' got pride but your loosening lol

[@2008israelramos]

Trash talk in Mexico is Hablar mierda....which is literally talk shxt.

[@romerohoustone924]

Don't tell the champ ,,you better nothing

[@teleportdinero]

valentina shevchenko never impressed me. just a bunch of hype and band wagon riders behind her.

[@specialedition5591]

Never impressed ? Nunes Goat Pena former Champion Holm Champion Andrade Champion Kaufman Champion Carmouch Bellator champion 😂😂

[@beanstalker2123]

Fluke win. She'll get beat up to pieces in the rematch.

[@jorrba3934]

Nobody knows what’s going to happen on the rematch, but I don’t think Valentina will stay champion for long if she retains the title once again. Valentina already exposed herself on a few fights,it definitely gave all the girls more confidence,

[@taxfree4603]

Nah, she will win the rematch

[@sandman62100]

Biggest FLUKE in UFC History!!! Look, we don't make excuses but Grasso hit the LOTTERY with that submission. She was getting ragdolled and dominated the whole fight and threw a hail mary. I don't even count this as a loss for Valentina because it was purely luck that she threw a spinning kick and Grasso landed on her back. I hope she is enjoying the belt while she can because Valentina is going to absolutely demolish her in the rematch.

[@dennis_brok900]

Need some tissues?

[@rubencampos6040]

Coping HARD

[@shagrrr1865]

hahahaha she fluked that back take did she?? cope harder

[@budani1473]

There are no accidents- master oogway

[@fourvetperrie457]

Idiot

[@miguelnava3911]

I am sooo in love with you Alexa Babe , would you marry me Babe??😂❤😅😊

[@fourvetperrie457]

Love how ALEXA made Shevchenko shoot! Deff luck, clowns!! Outclassed at striking and just nut riders with ZERO DAMAGE! Gotta love that BS STANDARD! Andnew!!

[@VeraxMusic]

None of us know what you even just said, or who you're for/against. Try again.