Alexa Grasso says Valentina Shevchenko is the most important fight of her life | ESPN MMA

Alexa Grasso speaks with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto ahead of her flyweight title fight against Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 285 in Las Vegas.
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[@fuckbored4724]

This interview is basically Bret okamota asking her "are you enjoying the build up?" 5 different ways lol.

[@x24amd]

Lol right

[@rob4rmda408]

Okamoto has the dryest questions ever

[@mugshotmarley]

Not only are they fighting for the flyweight belt, but also my heart.

[@beauaIloevv]

she don’t know u littlest bro, she’s with a real gangster like myself

[@sdmfp333]

Both y’all dusty dudes don’t deserve them, She needs a real masculine man like me

[@jasiahperez9547]

Y’all both chill out ! Talkn bout my wife and GF like that …….

[@eliminator173]

@@beauaIloevv nah she with a distinguished gentleman which is me.

[@Willie-po1lf]

All y’all Simps

[@24HOWTOGLOW]

Bro, if we see another crazy example of that undying Mexican fighting spirit on display Saturday night… I’m going to jump out my window. Win or lose, I think she outdoes everyone’s expectations of her this fight. It might be a stretch but I’m thinking this one is gonna give us JUST BLEED vibes.

[@luisdawnfinder3188]

I think stylistically Valentina will pull ahead as the fight goes, but I think Alexa will be very dangerous early on

[@walterkaiyuenpang3556]

Hope you are on the ground floor !!! 👍✊

[@james333_33]

The window probably only on the first floor

[@jou1900]

​@@james333_33 no. And because of this, he died.

[@antoniogarcia6531]

Are you still alive???? I hope it's only two floor building so you can have a chanse of survive ...

[@ronaldogomez8582]

She's so likable 🇲🇽 🎉

[@CookCaramier]

Man, It's one of those fights that you really like both fighters, and one of them has to lose.

[@nf4life445]

brett asking questions like a therapist the first 30 seconds in skip

[@juiceman562]

Fr he never got on my nerves before . Like trying to realize the moment and shake her nerves

[@dtrejo9182]

She’s beautiful ❤

[@beauaIloevv]

keep my wives name out of urfff mouth

[@goodsolonius7305]

Even Nate Diaz gets soft for this chick

[@ramonserna8089]

​@@goodsolonius7305 Nate is a medriocre has been

[@chrisgeorge84]

@@ramonserna8089 you ok?

[@WindowLicker_-9]

Wait til after the 2nd round, then try saying that again

[@JoseTorres-vp6sk]

Win, lose or draw...all of Mexico and Mexican-Americans are rocking with you 💪🇲🇽!!!

[@BONES2124]

I know a lot of self hating Mexican Americans. Mexico on the other hand is with her all the way

[@gerard0363]

well said. Mexicans form Mexico and USA r the exact same

[@juanjuarezofficial]

This girl is genuinely gorgeous, lets go Alexa, ill be supporting you.

[@BowlOfLifeNutrition]

She’s is passionate for sure

[@juiceman562]

Brett trying to shake her nerves with these question smh 🤦‍♂️ let’s go GRASSO. Next champ

[@a.a.u9182]

Mark my word, she is the new champion

[@eliminator173]

Vamos Alexa. Lets give Mexico a third champ this year. Y proximamente Irene Aldana contra Nunez

[@shyb76ers]

I hope she gets the belt, but i love valentina also. best of luck to both women.

[@faizanyt]

Don't underestimate her. She has a real chance of pulling off the upset.

[@jasonmartial113]

No she don’t

[@JohnnyCrambo]

​@@faizanyt WeLL sEe

[@JohnnyCrambo]

If she does she does but I think V is gonna handle business as usual

[@PauIdenino]

@@jasonmartial113 🤡🤡🤡

[@faizanyt]

@@JohnnyCrambo say what now? You guys know nothing. Who's handling business now?

[@alcottdevalte7440]

Hope this kid somehow gets the belt next.

[@johnnysanchez4996]

Talk about insecurity

[@taxfree4603]

Brett okamoto doesnt fight though

[@999legend8]

Why you calling her a kid?

[@bladetb3934]

She might be the next one. But it'll be a while before we find out. I'd say it's at least 2 more years before we see Valentina lose her belt

[@rikudouray]

Bro she's hottie not a kiddo XD

[@BowlOfLifeNutrition]

I feel a another Rocky Story about to happen

[@djccombat5530]

Me too, but unfortunately its not allowed to happen. The dangerous people wont allow Grasso to win but I hope she can overcome them to get this victory. How do you forsee Alexa getting it done?

[@BowlOfLifeNutrition]

@@djccombat5530 I think Grasso is going to clip Shevchenko and surprise her with her punching power and strength

[@djccombat5530]

@@BowlOfLifeNutrition With her strength is she gonna control Val in the clinch and with her power is she gonna finish her?

[@BowlOfLifeNutrition]

@@djccombat5530 It's a long shot, but it's usually fighters people think will lose that shock the world, or at least it's how some stories go, Juliana Pena shocked Amanda and I don't think many people thought she would out class her in their first fight, but I did! I was watching Grasso's come up video a few days ago and then I looked up her record and she has not lost that many times, if she is not held down, and gets rhythm, she finds a way to win, I think if she makes it a dog fight ( which it's hard to do with the champ, she could slow the kicks down and use her boxing Jab, and if she can make it more of a boxing match, and even use some ground work, we are going to see some respectable wrestling strength from Grasso. I think her wrestling is better than what people think!

[@BowlOfLifeNutrition]

I Told You So

[@mastermind2173]

She is absolutely ready

[@JayTee713]

Vamos con todo Alexa Grasso 🇲🇽🏆

[@maryf720]

Grasso is very good, especially with her boxing, but I feel that her style plays into Shevchenko's strengths. I think this fight should allow both fighters to showcase what they do best, but Valentina should be a bit sharper and a few steps ahead throughout the fight. I like Alexa and I hope she does well in the fight though.

[@musiccitymadman2023]

Agree. Val on another level.

[@Chessbox09]

Sadly I agree, Alex is an excellent boxer. However Valentina is elite on all levels, and I see her taking her down. That being said, Valentina has a penchant for trying to beat you at your own game. It could get interesting if Valentinas' pride gets in the way and it becomes a boxing match.

[@maryf720]

@@Chessbox09 Even in a boxing match, whilst I believe Grasso can actually touch Valentina like many of her opponents cannot, I just don’t think she has the same speed and reflexes as Shevchenko and any striking exchange also has the probability of kicks and the clinch being involved which are areas Valentina holds a big advantage. Grasso has sharp hands, and very good fundamentals in her striking but I just don’t see a striking battle ever being the key to beating Valentina until she’s gotten so much older that she loses several steps. The other factor is of course that Valentina also transitions to takedowns quite quickly from striking exchanges and has no problem pinning opponents down and chipping away at them from top position, and Grasso isn’t known for having great grappling skills. I do think it’s likely that Grasso has good enough grappling to contend with Shevchenko and avoid being finished on the ground at least early on, but Valentina also doesn’t noticeably slow down over 5 rounds and I can see her wearing Grasso down as the fight continues.

[@musiccitymadman2023]

@Mary F I've talked with you on several occasions in the past about the sport of MMA. And I respect your opinion and I believe that you've been involved in the sport at sometime in your life if I recall correctly. But like you I believe grasso is a good fighter but that Valentina is just more experienced fighter than grasso and definitely Erin blanchfield. Erin gonna be great one day but I believe she's little bit green for Valentina. But good seeing you back giving us your in depth opinions.

[@maryf720]

@@musiccitymadman2023 Right :) I remember you, we often agree haha. We agree here again and you're right to point out Blanchfield's inexperience. I believe she could be technically better at BJJ than Shevchenko, but she is worse in every other area and i'm not totally sure that her BJJ is even good enough to submit Shevchenko regardless. Erin has failed to submit every competent grappler that she has fought, aside from Andrade who was fighting on a week's notice. This isn't like she's Mackenzie Dern with this deadly ground game that could possibly just finish anybody at any time. She's good, possibly better than Shevchenko in that one area, but Shevchenko has fought plenty of fighters who likely have better BJJ than her and she's been able to beat them because her grappling is good enough for her to survive and out-work her opponent as the fight continues. Blanchfield could probably control Shevchenko on the ground, but if she can't submit her and they stand back up during the round or at the start of the next round then she's a sitting duck on her feet. I do believe it's possible that she could submit Valentina, which gives her a bigger chance than most, it's just not very likely IMO. I'd be more inclined to believe Dern or Suarez could give Valentina problems than Blanchfield, but they're sticking at 115 for the foreseeable future as far as I know.

[@taxfree4603]

These questions are garbage

[@theshittyrestaurant]

How does espn still not have 1080p quality

[@shotgunalien3315]

si se puede vamos Alexa es ahora o nunca que gran peleadora

[@jfloyo11]

oh geeezee here we go

[@leayhgbbrvxzwaxhyunrxeaXgy]

Great journalism as usual.

[@danb7601]

Odd questions

[@AlxThSeal]

She's really cute, but I think Valentina runs through her :p

[@belerofonte05]

🤡

[@begg3495]

Huge fan of her, hope she can upset Valentina

[@rikudouray]

1:23 wait wait wait that's a pickup line, my man kinda sus XD

[@Mannyz360]

Brett is such a boring interviewer

[@dynamo6796]

Viva La Mexico!

[@BlizzyFizzyMissMeWTBullshit]

Viva La Pinche Raza!

[@tomassoto4460]

I really want to see a third Mexican ufc champion (Not sure if Yair counts, since he’s interim)

[@eliminator173]

It counts just not undisputed. Next Aldana gonna take it from Lioness.

[@thelakeshow6847]

Let's go Alexa!! Use your wrestling too

[@mandrake6486]

her eyes are unnerving

[@ST-tf4sq]

I like Alexa, her mentality is awesome, not sure she is ready for the title tho.

[@TheVoidMMA]

Why not?

[@BowlOfLifeNutrition]

Perhaps it’s because she is not full of her self

[@larrybrantley8835]

Win or lose it is great to see a new face!

[@SlaineReigns]

I've had my eye on Alexa since Invicta and this fight against Valentina is giving me the nerves. I like both fighters, but I really think Valentina has the edge on the stand-up. I think Alexa has the edge on the boxing department slightly. Either way though, we'll see how this unfolds. No one expected Talia to do so well against Valentina, so it's the same situation here. Anything can happen.

[@BreakThrough51]

She will pull the upset

[@gracielacanastu1731]

Suerte ALEXA.

[@etherealwrld5617]

Hopefully my girlfriend gets the win

[@TjLuther]

She my girlfriend but I hope so too

[@Murkinstein101]

Valentina is wifey so ill be in her corner 🤣🤣🤣

[@davila3989]

You got this !!! 🇲🇽

[@jfloyo11]

nope she dont lol

[@davila3989]

We will see!

[@jfloyo11]

do all 8 of you that liked this comment want to bet me 100 dollars each?

[@davila3989]

@@jfloyo11 I’m good ! I’m just pulling for Alexa

[@belerofonte05]

@@jfloyo11 🤡

[@combatsports2640]

Go alexa...

[@Sameer-mv4qt]

She is awesome beautiful

[@mosshark]

Take care, wifey. I love you win or lose.♥️🌹😍

[@corymmarules7462]

The fight, no one is talking about.

[@javvijavv83]

Inlove 😍

[@Triple070007]

Probably both fighters are motivated to take this to a safe decision. Alexa is a point fighter unless she can get a lucky RNC, and Valentina is slowing down and mellowing out in her old age, having only one fight last year.

[@Triple070007]

@@claude5945 she had never fought more than twice per year her whole career in UFC. Last year was her first single-fight year.

[@gerard0363]

Alexa has a couple of 1-punch knockouts in 10 seconds, a couple of fight of the nights where she goes for the kiII every time, she's coming off a first-round submission last year just 2 fights ago..... _some ffkcnDmzs:_ "AlExA iS a p0int FiGhTeR"

[@Triple070007]

@@gerard0363 She has 10 fights in the UFC, 8 are decisions. Two RNC, no TKO or KO. “Goes for the kill” if by kill you mean points.

[@gerard0363]

@@Triple070007 going to decision doesn't mean u're a "point fighter". Who TF finishes super tough and durable girls with granite chin like Ji Yeon Kim, Maycee Barber and Viviane Araujo, u dmvvFkkk??? No one. Alexa Still put on a br.4in-d4.m4ging performance on most of her opponents, including breaking the #1 contender's arm and nose when she fought Carla Esparza, breaking Ji Yeon Kim's orbital bone with 1 punch, and getting 1-minute finishes in literally 1/3 of her wins.... That's not what what a "point fighter" does

[@gerard0363]

@@Triple070007 the "point fighter" won by split choke decision, buddy 😨

[@ontiverosrudy]

Alexita you are a sweet heart!!!!! 🇲🇽😍

[@bigwill916]

This is going to be a train wreck, grasso has good skills in the division but she’s not on Valentina level. Her next fight against Blanchfield will be a tougher fight .

[@VeraxMusic]

What a weird, persistent line of questioning in the beginning by this dork. Asking her such weird questions.

[@lalovidal67]

Viva mexico Arriba Guadalajara, it's you're time Grasso pleaaaase

[@rosemelia9042]

her face is beautiful plus she looks innocent, can't bear to see her face being punched, I think she should be able to express herself firmly with an expression full of passion so that she looks strong.

[@rosemelia9042]

@@josevigil4619 i think so

[@tobyargall8202]

5 to 1 in Australia and I'm backing her. Love me a feisty Mexican woman that can punch on.

[@phishy96]

A homeless person taken off the street 5 mins before this interview can do a better job then Okamoto

[@networkinginstitute]

I agree

[@ramonserna8089]

Ofcourse not. A homeless person woudnt need 5 mins to be better than Okamoto.

[@johnnysanchez4996]

Than*

[@rolandreedii5939]

His heart is not in this because he just serves as Dana Whites mouthpiece and his paycheck is guaranteed. He has no identity as a "journalist". He's been subpar for quite a while now. Blackamoto is far superior.

[@MrWarxhe]

Bro let’s not hate on the guy that much. He seems like a respectable individual. Trying to earn a living. But such is life. The best person doesn’t usually get the job you know.

[@lsvbetmachineRU]

She has a much better chance of winning than the odds indicate

[@MrStargates]

what i love is what is unpredictable , ya just never know ha

[@MrAftermath1241]

Go take it from her Alexa !

[@zarcoivanambriz9505]

Kin folk don't realize that in Mexico we have A God for everything and every God was with Alexa this fight. Viva Mexico this is the year of the AZTECS 🐆

[@omgitsmatt3mdm117]

Who’s betting on this girl 👋🏻👋🏻

[@ricardonoguera7332]

if they catch Grasso with a kick, she's history, I GUARANTEE YOU 100 PERCENT.

[@jou1900]

And she won!

[@samarenivar2674]

Your obviously not ready...Valentina way to much for you ....💯

[@belerofonte05]

🤡

[@taxfree4603]

HAHA

[@westernpigeon]

Alexa via leg kicks

[@Bobby_Duncan]

She’s so fine

[@franciscosalles7981]

Ela está confiante. Sabe que vai pegar pedreira, mas acredita que saberá , como ela já afirmou, buscar os pontos fracos da Valentina e liquidá-la. Missão difícil, porém não impossível. Quem apostar na Grasso vai ganhar muito dinheiro. Jogar na Valentina não tem graça. O ganho é pouco. O bom é jogar na Alexa pra ganhar muito. Já fechei meus palpites. Jones e Alexa Grasso.

[@rolandreedii5939]

So ya'll really trying to sacrifice my Love to a foreign double agent fr?

[@elchappo1320]

Im getting sick of valentina. We need some new bloood!

[@deepthoughts1739]

She’s the “Ultimate Fighting Champion!” Somebody got to step up and make it happen! They got to bring it. If not, she continues to reign as Queen Valentina. Love her or hate her, it don’t change a thing. She’s the best!

[@Murkinstein101]

Casual Take, Val The Gooooooat 🐐

[@joshuajones1984]

Lets Go Grasso !!! Box them ears off!

[@bklynoctorious498]

I like Valentina but Alexa grasso is a beast

[@MrAftermath1241]

He needs to work on his interview questions….I could ask better questions.

[@JonArbuckle066]

Finished via ground and pound or submission

[@belerofonte05]

🤡

[@ApocalypticSigns]

I hate these generic questions.

[@CagedInPodcast]

Can Alexa Grasso shock the world on Saturday night?!

[@faizanyt]

Win or lose, she'll give a tough fight to Valentina. Her style is not a good match up for Valentina.

[@spiderwebbmarketing]

Never seen a prettier female without makeup

[@truefallenangel]

nah she's defo wearing make-up rn.

[@MIKEY_GORDO]

🇲🇽🦾

[@bubbabuttz1629]

Lets go!

[@djccombat5530]

1:24 well dangerous people will make it so Alexa isn’t destined to be champion

[@gerard0363]

Wdym?

[@michaelpryor78]

Has no path to victory beyond something weird/flukey. Too small to muscle Shevchenko around at all, not enough power to have a puncher's chance, and doesn't have some deadly sub game either. This fight's the formality before Blanchfield. I expect Val to swell to a -1000ish favorite by the time the fight actually rolls around.

[@natanhaelalvarado6137]

You were wrong man

[@michaelpryor78]

@@natanhaelalvarado6137 I know. Crow eaten.

[@xaviermejia8325]

She has a lot of holes in her past fights . Everything Valentina will take care of !

[@hal536]

She’s so cute

[@firstlast2415]

Valentina is too fast for Alexa.

[@belerofonte05]

🤡

[@mikestrappelli8098]

Alexa is fantastic but Valentina is untouchable at this stage in her UFC career. People have said this about many champions in the male divisions and for Amanda in the female divisions. However, I cannot see anyone on the roster (be it seasoned female UFC fighters or up and comers) beating Valentina. She COULD pull the upset like Julianna did, but I can’t see her being beaten. MMA is a wild sport so I see a prayer for Alexa, but Valentina is a different breed than Amanda. I’ll get a lot of opposition with this comment but I can’t see Valentina getting upset.

[@brandunk924]

Scariana Grande

[@yanchand3603]

why she so cute?

[@dannyjohnclaude9983]

My gf 🥰

[@leonardomorales5220]

🇲🇽💯

[@joznew1]

Right now only Erin can stand a chance against Valentina

[@Willie-po1lf]

erin? You on that hype train because she’s american she’s the number 10 contender on flyweight. Fiorot is the real deal her UFC record is 10-1 she’s been ready and she’s #1 contender in the flyweight division Unlike blankfield

[@Eyeofthetiger69]

@Willie1010 Lol. Fiorot? The same chick who had an awful last performance?

[@jalapeno6847]

Did you see Erin's bout against Maverick? Erin couldn't do much on her striking so she went to the ground and then couldn't do much there either, Maverick was out striking her in the 3rd. She flat out didn't look good.

[@Naitsirk1]

obviously

[@retiredtidepodeater3339]

I truly hope I'm wrong but I see this being a 5 round, relatively boring one sided fight with Grasso having one or two noteable moments but ultimately losing 50-45 or 49-46.

[@zehreelamachar6720]

Something about her eyes.. as if she is looking deep into abyss yet she has a baby face.

[@narasnan5311]

Why this guy is asking Silly childish questions?

[@sainttrunks1982]

Ariana Grande

[@bassstrangla9264]

My wifey 🤎

[@Skank_and_Gutterboy]

And she won it, haha!!!!

[@baeualIoevv]

for everyone wondering, she’s taken by a real gangster like me. my future wife💞

[@mystatamiaj]

We shall see lol And she don’t like gangsters she likes actual men😎✌️

[@beauaIloevv]

@@mystatamiaj so you’re out of her league then😂🙏

[@ramonserna8089]

Bwahahaha keep dreaming whity. The most gangster thing you ever done in your life is buying a Eminem CD on discount. She needs real latino savagery.

[@walterkaiyuenpang3556]

🤦🤦🤦 🥱

[@JohnnyCrambo]

🌝

[@douglas.wang63]

She does not look like a women mma fighter.

[@retroonlinemultiplayer9196]

who did she beat to get this shot? blanchfield would whoop this girl

[@CarlosLopez-op1vc]

Lol no she would not! Blanchfield standup sucks. Keep hyping her up though 👍🏼

[@belerofonte05]

🤡

[@juzuvloke]

She's so cuuute! But like, a kiss on the forehead a kiss on the cheek cute... 😉

[@Greatest_ever]

val gonna make her look like a little girl

[@wjbt3]

Valentina's food tastes like trash 100%

[@belerofonte05]

🤡