Valentina Shevchenko not interested in fighting Alexa Grasso at UFC 306

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is gearing up for a historic moment in its women's flyweight division as it prepares for its first-ever title trilogy showdown.

Set against the backdrop of The Ultimate Fighter 32 (TUF), the upcoming season will feature a cast of eight middleweights and eight featherweights, all under the mentorship of UFC flyweight champion Alexa Grasso and former titlist Valentina Shevchenko. With filming slated to commence tomorrow, Tuesday, March 12, 2024, fans can anticipate an exciting journey as the fighters vie for glory.

While the TUF finale is expected to unfold in June, the spotlight will eventually shift to the much-anticipated title fight trilogy between coaches and 125-pound rivals Grasso and Shevchenko. Although an official date has yet to be confirmed, expectations are high for Grasso vs. Shevchenko 3 to headline UFC 306 inside The Sphere, coinciding with Mexican Independence Day weekend on Saturday, September 14, 2024.

The duo's previous rematch, held during Noche UFC, resulted in a thrilling split draw, leaving Grasso with a 1-0-1 lead in the series. Now, as the challenger, Shevchenko is determined to level the playing field after their encounters in Las Vegas.

"I think [it would be] more fair if one for her, one for me," expressed Shevchenko at TUF 32 media day. "We fought on Mexican Independence Day before. Now we have to find something with Kyrgyzstan."

Despite the anticipation for the trilogy, the bout won't materialize until the latter half of 2024 due to the extended timeline of TUF 32. Nonetheless, Shevchenko, 36, views the timing as fortuitous, considering her recent hand surgery following the Grasso rematch in September 2023.

"Timewise, I think it’s good because I’m just recently coming from the hand surgery," Shevchenko remarked. "So, timewise, I think it’s good. I will not have to force myself in terms of preparation because if you force yourself and just rush in, it’s gonna happen that you [get] injured again, and it’s gonna delay everything for even more time."

ALSO READ | WATCH: Shevchenko and Grasso struggle to hold laugh during trilogy faceoff

As anticipation builds and preparations unfold, fight fans can expect an epic showdown between two formidable competitors, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to one of the most anticipated trilogies in UFC history.

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