When the UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso It is Valentina Shevchenko completing a trilogy later this year, it may be the last time they meet. After that? Both fighters hope to welcome new challengers.
That, of course, will depend on the outcome of the Sept. 14 showdown at the Sphere in Las Vegas, which could headline UFC 306. The fight will come on the heels of Grasso and Shevchenko’s coaching this season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” Which was filmed earlier this year and premiered last Tuesday on ESPN and ESPN+.
In two previous meetings, Grasso (16-3-1 MMA, 8-3-1 UFC) scored an all-time upset by taking the title from Shevchenko (23-4-1 MMA, 12-3-1 UFC) with a fourth-round submission in March 2023 at UFC 285. Six months later, the two fought to a much-debated split draw in their rematch at Noche UFC. With no clear winner in the trilogy, this should be the end for Grasso and Shevchenko, who are craving new blood in the form of a top contender. Manon Fiorot or next month’s winner Maycee Barber vs. Rosa Namajunas UFC Fight Night main event in Denver. Erin Blanchfield could also be on the list despite losing to Fiorot in March, depending on timing and circumstances.
Fiorot, who is on a 12-game winning streak following back-to-back victories over Namajunas and Blanchfield, is in pole position among these names.
“Right now, in this moment after (our) fight, Manon and Erin. I think Manon is on that list,” Shevchenko told MMA Junkie. “But anything can happen this time. We still have more time, about three months, a little more after we rest a little. Anything can happen, but right now, I would say fight Manon, and Erin has brought Manon into this position.”
Fiorot (12-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) is certainly a matchup Grasso would love given the combination of styles.
“If I have to fight her, it would be incredible,” Grasso told MMA Junkie. “She’s big, she’s strong, she has a lot of good striking. So for me it could be a perfect fight.”
One cannot forget, however, Barber (14-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC). The 26-year-old, who has already promised to be the youngest UFC champion of all time, has stood out, currently on a six-fight winning streak against increasing competition. If she overcomes Namajunas with an impressive performance, she could lead to a rematch with Grasso, who beat her via unanimous decision in February 2021.
This is a result that Barber has not overcome and she made that clear – which is no big deal for the champion.
“That’s OK. We all have to make some noise to be there,” Grasso said. “But yes, if there’s a time where she’s the candidate and I’m the champion, we’ll fight again.”
