Valentina Shevchenko suffered a monumental upset loss at UFC 285.
‘Bullet’ was expected to make it eight successive defences of her 125lb title but she ended up getting caught in a submission by 6/1 underdog Alex Grasso on Saturday night.
The challenger started well and landed a couple of massive left hands that wobbled the champion in the first round of the UFC 285 co-main event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
Shevchenko didn’t entertain striking with her latest opponent in round two as she immediately got a takedown and tried to secure the crucifix position that has proved successful for her in the past
The Mexican eventually popped back to her feet and threatened with big punches that missed the mark before Shevchenko once again took her down to the floor and finished the round on top.
In round three, Shevchenko continued to find success with her wrestling attacks and was dominant through five minutes despite a last-gasp guillotine coke attempt from Grasso.
It appeared like the champion was taking over in round four before she missed a spinning kick and Grasso jumped on her back to a huge ovation from those in the audience.
The 28-year-old locked up a rear-naked choke submission and eventually forced Shevchenko to tap out for the first time in her Hall of Fame fight career.
Grasso said post-fight: “Please punch me because I feel like I’m dreaming! I’ve been dreaming of this moment. Thank you everyone here, thank you so much.”
Shevchenko was in good spirits and already looking forward to a rematch while speaking to Joe Rogan following her first loss since September 2017.
She said: “This is kind of like what happens in mixed martial arts. You’re winning the fight all around and then a situation can change the whole game.
“Congratulations to Alexa, I know that I’m stronger, and if not for the spinning kick, it would be a different result…. An immediate rematch, I was definitely winning the fight.”
