Valentina Shevchenko Laughs Off Alexa Grasso’s Technique: “That’s Hilarious, Oh My God”

Valentina Shevchenko couldn’t assist, however snort after studying of Alexa Grasso’s recommendation to her.

Earlier than defending her flyweight championship towards ‘Bullet’ within the first-ever ladies’s trilogy bout in UFC historical past on September 14, Grasso supplied a phrase of recommendation to her opponent, suggesting that if Shevchenko hopes to take again the 125-pound title, she’ll want to maneuver ahead and ramp up the aggression, somewhat than sitting again for 25 minutes.

“She has a method the place she waits an excessive amount of,” Grasso advised MMA Junkie. “She’s simply going again and again and again. I don’t assume that’s an excellent (thought). If you wish to get your belt again, I don’t assume that’s the best way to try this. “If you would like the belt you need to go for it. I might love that.

“I like to trade. I really like battles. However she has a combating model the place she’s going again, again, again – I’m unsure that’s going to work.”

Studying of Grasso’s feedback, Shevchenko was nothing wanting amused.

“So she is planning to safe her victory, she is just not planning to go ahead? That is what she mentioned?” Shevchenko mentioned in her personal interview with MMA Junkie whereas listening to the soundbyte from Grasso. “So she’s going to be on her aspect of the Octagon anticipating me to be on my aspect? That’s hilarious. Oh my God.”

UFC 306 will the the third consecutive assembly between Grasso and Shevchenko. Their first conflict got here in March 2023 when Grasso surprised the MMA group with a fourth-round submission victory over ‘Bullet’ to deliver the flyweight belt again dwelling to Mexico.

Six months later, they’d run it again at Noche UFC in Las Vegas. This time round, they’d go the total 5 rounds, however little can be achieved as the competition was controversially dominated a cut up draw after decide Mike Bell someway noticed match to attain the ultimate spherical 10-8 in favor of Grasso.

“Trying on the second struggle, our second struggle, it was a draw,” Shevchenko mentioned. “However it was the identical precise technique, with the identical precise techniques, I secured the victory if it hadn’t been for the error and error of the decide (Mike Bell). He’s very, very bizarre motion what he did. So everybody might really feel that I received the struggle. I did sufficient to win the struggle. It was stunning for the individuals seeing {that a} decide can do these issues. It was bizarre. Realizing that my technique is working, I don’t have intentions to alter something.

“I’m simply going to deliver my spirit. I’m going to deliver my energy and my pace and I’m going to deliver my expertise to the struggle. The No. 1 aim what I’ve to do on this struggle is be myself. I don’t need to play somebody’s sport. This isn’t what makes you champion. Champion is who’s taking part in their very own sport. I don’t care what everyone seems to be saying. I’m going to win the struggle. I do know for certain.”

Valentina Shevchenko decided to maintain the judges out of her UFC 306 co-main occasion

Although she is aware of it is going to be no simple process, Shevchenko has no intention of permitting their third struggle to go to the judges, particularly after leaving empty-handed final yr.

“Each time I look ahead, however each time it’s not attainable to complete the struggle, particularly if you find yourself combating with a top-level opponent,” Shevchenko mentioned. “You possibly can end the struggle very simply when the extent between you and your opponent have a spot, however after we are talking about UFC and the top-level competitors, generally it’s tougher. However this was our major aim throughout the coaching camp, to complete the struggle.

“I really feel nice. I really feel robust and my cardio is superb. I’m simply going to go there and provides the individuals an incredible struggle. That is the aim. I’m not nervous about the rest. Simply give this struggle and make this struggle the perfect struggle of my life.”