Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko 2 Rematch UFC Second Fight Video Part I
Watch UFC Fight Night 227 Grasso vs. Shevchenko II Stream Replay Free

Grasso, who displayed quicker and more powerful hands and landed cleaner combinations in extended exchanges, was fiercely competitive in the striking trades between him and Shevchenko I, if not outright winning.

Grasso was very successful in breaking the pocket, entering Shevchenko's line of fire, and landing two shots with just one punch.

Shevchenko, a southpaw, spammed her body kick with Grasso standing orthodox but found it difficult to respond to his constant stance-shifting.

After shooting reactive takedowns and consolidating top position( completed four out of six attempts, 5:24 control time), Shevchenko had her best moments in this fight. Throughout her career, Grasso has consistently displayed subpar takedown defense( 61%), but she has worked to strengthen her defensive jiu-jitsu and get-up game to stay safe at the bottom and regain her ability to hit.

Shevchenko's offensive control time and ability to maintain a grappling-heavy gameplan for extended stretches didn't cause much damage, and after Grasso got her feet back in the second round, she started breathing heavily and her shots became much more telegraphed— and less effective. For the younger champion, the cardio advantage might be crucial.

Additionally, in order to catch up to her, Shevchenko needed Grasso to overcommit to strikes. Grasso ended up on her back as the first round came to an end when Shevchenko attempted to start clinch grappling by throwing a judo ball.

After Shevchenko whiffed on a spinning attack, Grasso caught up to him at the five-minute mark just as quickly as she did in the fourth-round finishing sequence. Additionally, Grasso might have received a first-round submission if that exchange had taken place earlier in the round.

I anticipate that Grasso will find a way to reclaim that dominant position given that Shevchenko has previously demonstrated her propensity for back-takes against her two rivals. In order to prevent Shevehnko from turning a caught kick into an attempt at takedown, Shevchenko must refrain from using those judo throws and spinning techniques while Grasso concentrates on boxing.

This matchup is relatively close and competitive everywhere else, despite the fact that both flyweights have a noticeable hole in one area of their defensive grappling.

The margins and optics in any striking-based round should be close to a coinflip with Grasso winning the support of the partisan crowd if Shevchenko doesn't actively struggle and rack up control time to defend her favoritism.