LAS VEGAS (AP) — Alexa Grasso retained her flyweight title after coming away with a split draw against Valentina Shevchenko on Saturday night at UFC Fight Night 227.
It marked the first time UFC held a main card on Mexican Independence Day, keeping in tradition for combat sports to hold big fights on Sept. 16.
Grasso quickly moved in for the takedown and eventually was able to apply a rear naked choke to win the belt.
It took a strong finish in the fifth round by Grasso to earn the split draw, as each fighter earned a 48-47 score, with a third judge scoring the bout 47-47.
In a three-round featherweight bout to open the main card, Kyle Nelson (15-5-1) defeated Fernando Padilla (15-5) by unanimous decision with scores of 29-28, 29-28, 30-27.
Persons:
— Alexa Grasso, Valentina Shevchenko, Grasso, Shevchenko, Jack Della Maddalena, Kevin Holland, ” Della Maddalena, Raul Rosas Jr, Terrence Mitchell, Mark Smith, Oyuki Rios, “, ”, Rosas, ” Daniel Zellhuber, Christos Giagos, Kyle Nelson, Fernando Padilla, Tracy Cortez, Jasmine Jasudavicius, I’ve, Cortez, Erin Blanchfield
Organizations:
LAS VEGAS, UFC, Independence, “