Alexa Grasso vs Valentina Shevchenko Ended In A Draw, 6th Draw In The UFC History

The world of mixed martial arts was treated to an electrifying night of action on September 16, 2023, as Noche UFC took centre stage at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This highly anticipated event was a tribute to Mexican Independence Day and promised to deliver a spectacular showcase of talent and excitement. From thrilling battles to surprising outcomes, the night had it all. In this comprehensive report, we’ll break down the key highlights, winners, and losers from UFC Fight Night.

The main event of the evening was nothing short of sensational. It featured a highly anticipated rematch between reigning flyweight champion Alexa Grasso and the formidable challenger, Valentina Shevchenko. Their first encounter ended with Grasso securing a fourth-round submission victory, and fight enthusiasts around the world eagerly awaited their second clash.

Both Grasso and Shevchenko entered the Octagon with a point to prove. The fight was closely contested over five rounds, with each fighter showcasing their exceptional skills. The judges’ scorecards reflected the competitive nature of the bout, resulting in a split draw. Grasso retained her women’s flyweight championship, but the outcome left fans divided and eager for a potential rematch.

Valentina Shevchenko expressed her belief in victory, stating, “I think it was 3-2 on my side. But she’s a Mexican fighter. In a fair competition, this would be mine.”

On the scorecards, one judge awarded Grasso a 10-8 margin in the fifth round, a decision that ultimately led to the draw. Dominick Cruz, the analyst, questioned this decision, saying, “I don’t know what he’s watching. I don’t see how (Bell) says that was it.” This controversial draw will undoubtedly be a topic of discussion in the MMA world for years to come.

The co-main event of the night featured a showdown between ranked welterweights Jack Della Maddalena and Kevin Holland. Expectations were high for this matchup, but what unfolded inside the Octagon left some fans wanting more.

The bout devolved into a tactical stand-up affair, with neither fighter fully committing to all-out offense. Della Maddalena emerged victorious with a split decision, with two judges scoring it 29–28 in his favor. However, the fight did not deliver the expected fireworks, leaving fans with mixed feelings.

Jack Della Maddalena shared his thoughts on the bout, saying, “It was pretty much exactly what I expected… Thanks for the boos; I appreciate it.”

Despite the lack of explosive action, Della Maddalena’s win extended his remarkable winning streak to six in the UFC, solidifying his status as a rising star in the welterweight division. Kevin Holland, with 12 UFC wins to his name, still remains a notable figure in the promotion.

Raul Rosas Jr., the UFC’s youngest fighter at just 18 years and 11 months old, had a point to prove after suffering a loss in his previous fight. He faced off against the aggressive Terrence Mitchell in a main-card bantamweight clash.

From the moment the fight began, it was clear that both fighters were eager to engage in a slugfest. The exchanges were intense, but it was Rosas Jr. who stole the spotlight with a thunderous left hook that sent Mitchell crashing to the canvas. Rosas Jr. capitalised on the opportunity, delivering a ground-and-pound assault that forced the referee to step in and stop the fight just 54 seconds into the first round.

Raul Rosas Jr. stated, “I had to prove a point today… I knew I had to be better than that. I knew I had to let their hands fly, so I did.”

This victory was a significant rebound for Rosas Jr. after his previous loss and showcased his knockout power in the bantamweight division. While Mitchell displayed his aggressiveness and striking skills, it was Rosas Jr. who emerged victorious in spectacular fashion.

On the main card of Noche UFC, Daniel Zellhuber faced off against Christos Giagos in a lightweight clash. At just 24 years old, Zellhuber was determined to prove himself as a rising talent in the highly competitive 155-pound division.

The fight saw Zellhuber facing adversity early on as Giagos controlled the grappling exchanges in the first round. However, Zellhuber showcased his resilience and grappling prowess as the fight progressed. In the second round, during a takedown attempt by Giagos, Zellhuber seized the opportunity and executed an anaconda choke, securing a submission victory at 3 minutes and 26 seconds into the round.

Daniel Zellhuber’s performance solidified his status as a rising talent, boasting back-to-back wins and a 14-1 career record.

Zellhuber’s ability to stay composed under pressure and capitalise on his opponent’s mistakes was on full display in this fight. With back-to-back wins in the UFC, he is certainly a fighter to watch in the lightweight division.

The preliminary card of Noche UFC delivered its fair share of excitement and some controversial moments. Loopy Godinez secured a submission victory over Elise Reed with a rear-naked choke in the second round, showcasing her grappling skills.

Roman Kopylov defeated Josh Fremd by TKO with a well-placed body shot in the second round, emphasising the importance of body strikes in MMA. However, one fight in the prelims, featuring Edgar Chairez and Daniel Lacerda, was declared a no-decision at 3 minutes and 47 seconds of the first round due to a controversial referee stoppage.

Dominick Cruz expressed his concerns about refereeing, stating, “The refs don’t know what grappling is.”

Tracy Cortez impressed with a unanimous decision victory over Jasmine Jasudavicius, displaying her well-rounded skills. Charlie Campbell also secured a TKO victory over Alex Reyes with a right hand in the first round, showcasing the power of well-timed strikes. Josefine Knutsson wrapped up the prelims with a dominant unanimous decision win over Marnic Mann.

Noche UFC, on September 16, 2023, will be remembered as an event that celebrated Mexican Independence Day in style. From the intense main event between Grasso and Shevchenko to the spectacular finishes on the main card and the drama in the prelims, the night had something for every MMA fan.

The split draw in the main event left fans divided and craving a potential rematch. Jack Della Maddalena’s victory confirmed his status as a rising star, while Raul Rosas Jr.’s knockout win showcased his knockout power. Daniel Zellhuber’s submission victory marked him as a promising talent in the lightweight division.

Controversial moments and referee decisions were also part of the evening, raising questions about the consistency of officiating in MMA.

However, the fighters’ performances and their determination to leave it all in the Octagon were undeniable.

Noche UFC was a testament to the enduring appeal of mixed martial arts and the passion of its athletes. As the MMA world looks ahead to future events, this night will remain etched in the memories of fans and fighters alike.