LAS VEGAS – Valentina Shevchenko accuses ESPN of showing bias toward Alexa Grasso in the buildup to UFC 306.
Shevchenko (24-4-1 MMA, 13-3-1 UFC) regclaimed the flyweight title from Grasso (16-4-1 MMA, 8-4-1 UFC) by out-grappling her in the UFC 306 co-main event Saturday at Sphere. Shevchenko was able to close out their trilogy with a unanimous decision after she was submitted in their first fight, followed by a split draw in their rematch – a fight she’s adamant she won.
Shevchenko was happy to beat Grasso in decisive fashion, but she believes she wasn’t getting enough credit for her performance in the rematch, specifically from ESPN.
“I feel ESPN was showing so much (favoritism toward Alexa Grasso),” Shevchenko told MMA Junkie and other reporters at the UFC 306 post-fight news conference. “Even in the second fight with Alexa, so every time showing the moment when she’s winning or she’s doing good combinations.
“And my combinations, they just ignored. But I won the fight, but they just ignored. All the people had this feeling that she won the fight, and it was a draw. I felt it was unfair a little bit, and now there is no way for them to show these clips. It’s going to do right and show the right clips now.”
Shevchenko is ready to move on from Grasso, shutting down a potential fourth fight. Manon Fiorot weighed in as the backup for their fight.
“I think it would be good to see somebody different,” Shevchenko said. “Right now, I don’t think it would be the appropriate fight.”
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Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko 3 at UFC 306 at Sphere in Las Vegas: Best photos
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 306.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Valentina Shevchenko criticizes ESPN for ‘unfair’ coverage of Alexa Grasso leading up to UFC 306
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