Alexa Grasso
Mexico
First knockout win since 2014
Grasso defeated Maycee Barber via KO (punch) at 2:42 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Seattle.
ANALYSIS
Grasso entered the evening without a victory dating back to March 2023. Her last knockout win came in December 2014. In other words, Grasso didn't have a single KO win in any of her first 14 UFC fights. Alexa has largely evolved into a point kickboxer at this stage of her career. Yet, one right hand, seemingly out of nowhere, dropped Barber to the mat and finished her on the spot. Oddly enough, Maycee fell awkwardly, leading to Grasso clamping on a rear-naked choke in search of the finish, but Barber was already done. Alexa was a +140 underdog, so the fact she won isn't a shock, but how it happened is extremely surprising. Perhaps this type of dominant performance can allow Grasso, who will be 33 years old in August, to gain some momentum moving forward. For now, it will at least earn her one of the two $100,000 Performance of the Night bonuses that were awarded this evening.
Grasso entered the evening without a victory dating back to March 2023. Her last knockout win came in December 2014. In other words, Grasso didn't have a single KO win in any of her first 14 UFC fights. Alexa has largely evolved into a point kickboxer at this stage of her career. Yet, one right hand, seemingly out of nowhere, dropped Barber to the mat and finished her on the spot. Oddly enough, Maycee fell awkwardly, leading to Grasso clamping on a rear-naked choke in search of the finish, but Barber was already done. Alexa was a +140 underdog, so the fact she won isn't a shock, but how it happened is extremely surprising. Perhaps this type of dominant performance can allow Grasso, who will be 33 years old in August, to gain some momentum moving forward. For now, it will at least earn her one of the two $100,000 Performance of the Night bonuses that were awarded this evening.
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More Fantasy News
Next chance coming against Barber
Grasso will fight Maycee Barber at UFC Seattle on March 28, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Grasso hasn't won a fight in nearly three full years, but she'll get another opportunity to change that while taking on Barber. Momentum certainly won't be in Grasso's favor, however, as her opponent is currently enjoying a seven-fight winning streak.
Grasso hasn't won a fight in nearly three full years, but she'll get another opportunity to change that while taking on Barber. Momentum certainly won't be in Grasso's favor, however, as her opponent is currently enjoying a seven-fight winning streak.
No longer facing Namajunas
Grasso is no longer slated to face Rose Namajunas in a flyweight bout at UFC 324 on Jan. 24, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Grasso hasn't won a bout since March of 2023, and she won't get a chance to change that in January as originally scheduled. It's unclear why she's been forced to pull out, but Natalia Silva will step in to face Rose Namajunas in her stead.
Grasso hasn't won a bout since March of 2023, and she won't get a chance to change that in January as originally scheduled. It's unclear why she's been forced to pull out, but Natalia Silva will step in to face Rose Namajunas in her stead.
Slated to face Namajunas
Grasso will fight Rose Namajunas at UFC 324 on Jan. 24, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Grasso will be desperate to turn things around in January, as she remains in search of her first victory since March 2023. She'll have to do so against Namajunas, who has won three of four fights since the beginning of 2024.
Grasso will be desperate to turn things around in January, as she remains in search of her first victory since March 2023. She'll have to do so against Namajunas, who has won three of four fights since the beginning of 2024.
Winless streak hits three
Grasso lost to Natalia Silva via unanimous decision (27-30, 27-30, 27-30) at UFC 315 on Saturday in Montreal.
ANALYSIS
Fighting someone other than Valentina Shevchenko for the first time since October 2022, Grasso simply had zero answers for the constant movement of Silva. To Alexa's credit, she realized she was behind and was constantly trying to make things happen, but Silva simply used her footwork to slide out of the way and pepper Grasso with counter shots. She was also unable to get the fight to the mat in the rare instances in which she tried. Chances are this was nothing more than a poor matchup for Grasso from a stylistic standpoint, but she simply can't afford many more losses at this point. Alexa theoretically should have some gas left in the tank at age 31, but without a win in her last three fights (0-2-1), she finds herself miles from re-entering the title picture at 125 pounds.
Fighting someone other than Valentina Shevchenko for the first time since October 2022, Grasso simply had zero answers for the constant movement of Silva. To Alexa's credit, she realized she was behind and was constantly trying to make things happen, but Silva simply used her footwork to slide out of the way and pepper Grasso with counter shots. She was also unable to get the fight to the mat in the rare instances in which she tried. Chances are this was nothing more than a poor matchup for Grasso from a stylistic standpoint, but she simply can't afford many more losses at this point. Alexa theoretically should have some gas left in the tank at age 31, but without a win in her last three fights (0-2-1), she finds herself miles from re-entering the title picture at 125 pounds.
Booked for UFC 315
Grasso (leg) will face off against Natalia Silva at UFC 315 on May 10, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Grasso, who suffered a broken leg in training this past November, will return to the ring against Natalia Silva in May. The 31-year-old Mexican fighter is 8-4-1 during her UFC career.
Grasso, who suffered a broken leg in training this past November, will return to the ring against Natalia Silva in May. The 31-year-old Mexican fighter is 8-4-1 during her UFC career.