The Stage is Set
UFC Noche is an event organized by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to honor Mexican communities. It’s a tradition in combat sports to hold big fights on September 16th, which is Mexican Independence Day. This year, for the first time ever, UFC brought an action-packed card to the T-Mobile Arena on this special day.
The inaugural Noche UFC featured a rematch between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko for the UFC flyweight title. Both fought tooth and nail for the women’s flyweight title. But, after five hard-fought, back-and-forth rounds, the judges still couldn’t determine a winner.
The Tale of The Second Clash
The quiet warrior Grasso had previously flipped women’s MMA on its head by pulling off one of the biggest upsets in MMA title fight history. She submitted “Bullet” at UFC 285 in the fourth round. This extended her win streak to five and reminded the rest of the division that Shevchenko is, after all, only human.
The Verdict
Both sides had their moments in this fight. Grasso even scored a significant knockdown against Shevchenko. However, the event concluded with a disappointing split draw, with scorecards showing 48-47 for Shevchenko, 48-47 for Grasso, and 47-47. This outcome allowed Grasso to retain her title, and it goes without saying that the event was marked by controversy because of the judges’ scorecards.
UFC Noche - Notable Mentions
UFC’s event; Noche, was certainly brimming with MMA magic. Here are the rest of the results from the main card:
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Co-Main Event: Jack Della Maddalena defeated Kevin Holland via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) 145.
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Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Terrance Mitchell: Raul Rosas Jr. defeated Terrance Mitchell by TKO, just 54 seconds into Round 135.
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Daniel Zellhuber vs. Christos Giagos: Daniel Zellhuber secured his first UFC stoppage win by countering Giagos’ takedown attempt with an anaconda choke.
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Kyle Nelson vs. Fernando Padilla: Kyle Nelson defeated Fernando Padilla via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).
What’s Next?
After yesterday’s split draw between these female warriors, the title remains in Grasso’s hands. The next steps for Shevchenko are unknown at this point. Who do you see her fighting next? One thing is certain: the world of MMA is as unpredictable and exciting as ever. Stay tuned for more updates!
