'Absolute Corker Of A Fight!' – Fighters React To Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko Ending In A Draw

The highly anticipated flyweight title rematch between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko ended in a bizarre split draw at Noche UFC.

Grasso and Shevchenko had a back-and-forth battle in one of the best fights of 2023 on Saturday night. Both women showed determination, grit, and high-level MMA over five rounds of action.

The fight was seen by many as tied at two rounds apiece entering the fifth and final round. Shevchenko outstruck Grasso in the opening minutes of the round, but Grasso got the upper hand in the final minute with multiple submission threats and brutal ground-and-pound.

After five rounds, two of the judges scored one card for each fighter (Grasso 48-47, Shevchenko 48-47), but judge Mike Bell scored it a 47-47 draw with a 10-8 fifth round for Grasso.

It was a perplexing end to an eventful night in Las Vegas, resulting in Grasso retaining the flyweight title by split draw.

Related: Noche UFC: Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko 2 Live Results & Highlights

MMA Twitter Rips Judge Mike Bell For Controversial Noche UFC Scoring

Here’s what MMA Twitter had to say about Grasso vs. Shevchenko 2.

Holy smokes. Mike Bell gave Alexa Grasso a 10-8 in the fifth round. Horrible. #UFCNoche

— Greg Rosenstein (@grosenstein) September 17, 2023

An absolute corker of a fight! All timer in WMMA imo. And it ends in a draw! Wow wow, wow! Well done @AlexaGrasso and @BulletValentina! Incredible!

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 17, 2023

Both these girls are incredible fighters

— Fight Ghost (@Fight_Ghost) September 17, 2023

Holy smokes. Sensational fight. Grasso might've taken it with that last push. Judging could get interesting.

— Luke Thomas🏋️‍♀️ (@lthomasnews) September 17, 2023

Grasso's left eye damaged in final round, streaming blood down face. Shevchenko nearly has standing arm-triangle with 90 seconds left, ensuing scramble sees Grasso get to back. Can't get choke but attempts and strikes get final round.It's 48-47 Grasso for me. Close! #NocheUFC

— John Morgan (@JohnMorgan_MMA) September 17, 2023

The old split draw.

— Chuck Mindenhall (@ChuckMindenhall) September 17, 2023

Ok 10-8 round 5 is outrageous ..get him Cruz I’m letting u off the leash

— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) September 17, 2023

Happy that Grasso retains the belt. VIVA LA MEXICO #NocheUFC

— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) September 17, 2023

Look I know judging is hard and the scoring criteria sucks no matter what anybody says to me, but I think that most of us can agree a 10-8 there is pretty what the fuck 😂

— Tommy Toe Hold (@TommyToeHold) September 17, 2023

At this point I’m convinced Sal D’Amato signs up for my service and intentionally scores against my bets. Dude scores fights 90% against me. It’s absolutely wild, every time I heard his name I already know that’s 1 card for the other fighter. Like clockwork, it’s oddly consistent

— Luca Fury (@LucaFury) September 17, 2023

Grasso pulled off the upset in her first fight with Shevchenko at UFC 285 earlier this year. Before winning the belt, she earned impressive wins over the likes of Viviane Araújo, Joanne Wood, and Maycee Barber.

Shevchenko, a likely future UFC Hall of Famer, was unbeaten at flyweight before the loss to Grasso. The 35-year-old could potentially earn a third fight with Grasso after the inconclusive result on Saturday night.

The full story of the Grasso vs. Shevchenko rivalry is potentially yet to be fully written, and fans might not have to wait long to see these two elite fighters square off once again.

• Read Also: Noche UFC: Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko 2 Live Results & Highlights