Valentina Shevchenko suffered a heavy defeat at UFC 285.
“The Bullet” was expected to make eight defenses of his 125-pound title, but he fell to 6/1 underdog Alex Grasso on Saturday night.
In the first round of the main event of UFC 285 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night, the challenger got off to a strong start and landed a flurry of left hands.
Shevchenko had no fun beating her last opponent in the second round, as she immediately went down and tried to secure the cross position that had worked for her in the past.
Eventually the Mexican got to his feet and Shevchenko threatened him with big shots that missed the target before dropping him back to the ground and finishing the round ahead.
Despite a final guillotine choke attempt by Grasso in the third round, Shevchenko continued to have success with her attacks in the fight and dominated for five minutes.
Before the champion missed a spinning kick in the fourth round, Grasso appeared to jump on his back to a standing ovation from the crowd.
The 28-year-old then submitted with a bare choke, eventually forcing Shevchenko to retire for the first time in his Hall of Fame fighting career.
Grasso said after the fight, “Hit me because I feel like I’m dreaming! I dreamed of this moment. Thank you all here, thank you very much.
Shevchenko was in high spirits and looking forward to a rematch as she spoke to Joe Rogan after her first loss since September 2017.
He said: “It’s like what happens in mixed martial arts. You win the fight and one situation can change the whole game.
“Congratulations Alexa, I know I’m stronger and without the spin kick it would have been a different result…. Instant rematch, I would win the fight.
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