Sep 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alexa Grasso (red gloves) fights Valentina Shevchenko (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Mexican fighter Alexa Grasso celebrated her nation's independence day in unusual fashion, holding on to her UFC flyweight title after fighting to a seldom-seen split draw against former champion Valentina Shevchenko on Saturday.
Grasso, who beat Shevchenko by submission in March to win the title, topped the card at the T-Mobile Arena at the Noche UFC event, which had a strong Mexican flavor due to it taking place on Sept. 16, the day Mexicans celebrate their independence.
Both fighters had their moments over the five five-minute rounds but neither could force a stoppage, and the judges' scorecards produced a surprise with one giving it to Grasso, another to Shevchenko and the third scoring it as a draw, meaning that Grasso held on to her belt.
Shevchenko said she thought she won the fight three rounds to two and that the Mexican celebration may have influenced the scoring.
"The judges, I think, felt a little bit of pressure because it's Mexican Independence Day, that's why they give one more (round) to the Mexican fighter," the Kyrgistani former champ said in a post-fight interview.
"I fought to the end and I think I did enough. In a fair competition, the victory would be mine."
Unsurprisingly, Grasso disagreed.
"I did a lot of damage ... all of my punches were hard, and yes, I'm the winner. I think I did enough," the 30-year-old from Guadalajara said.
The close nature of the fight has already led to calls from fans for a third match, but Grasso was non-committal when asked about that prospect.
"It depends," she said. "I have to talk to my coaches and my manager. Let's see what's next."
(Reporting by Philip O'Connor; Editing by Tom Hogue)
