VIDEO: Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko face off at NCAA Women’s Final Four

06 April 2024

In an unexpected turn of events, Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko seem to be on the fast track to becoming best friends, despite their intense rivalry in the UFC flyweight division. The duo has been making waves in the media circuit as they gear up to assume the roles of coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 32.

Their latest stop on the promotional tour brought them to the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, where they graced the courtside seats for the NCAA Women’s Final Four tournament. Among the spectators, they eagerly watched basketball prodigy Caitlin Clark lead her Iowa Hawkeyes against the Connecticut Huskies. Prior to the game, Grasso and Shevchenko engaged in a friendly faceoff, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.

Grasso (16-3-1) currently holds the UFC women’s flyweight championship, a title she secured with a remarkable fourth-round submission victory over Shevchenko in March 2023. Despite their storied history, Grasso managed to retain her title in their rematch last September, though the bout ended controversially with a split draw at Noche UFC.

Before her setback against Grasso, Shevchenko (23-4-1) reigned supreme as the undisputed queen of the flyweight division. Known as "Bullet," she boasted an impressive streak of seven consecutive title defenses during her reign, triumphing over formidable opponents such as Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Jessica Andrade, Liz Carmouche, and Taila Santos.

Looking ahead, Grasso and Shevchenko are anticipated to cross paths once again in a trilogy bout slated for later this year, following the conclusion of TUF 32, scheduled to premiere in June. Despite their fierce competition inside the octagon, their burgeoning camaraderie adds an intriguing dynamic to their ongoing rivalry.