Shevchenko dominated the flyweight division for many years and remains the most dominant champion in her division. Grasso was the first to solve this conundrum and now she must defend the throne. When asked how her life has changed since winning the championship, she initially answers in her typically modest manner: “Not really.” But as she develops her answer, she realizes that a lot has actually changed.
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“Not much has changed… I just know that I have more responsibility. I need more discipline. There’s a lot more to the game. You can’t afford to not give your best for even one day. That’s what’s changed the most. And I’m happy; I love challenges, I love pushing myself every day. I love the pressure. And that’s a big change. Since I’ve been in the UFC, of course my goal has been to become champion and I’ve achieved that.”
She has also become the face of the now annual UFC Noche event and embodies everything that makes Mexican MMA a cause for celebration.
“Mexico is growing so fast in the MMA field. We always shine in combat sports,” she says proudly. “The UFC loves our way of fighting. We are always making progress. That always reminds me that I have to train harder. We had a first Noche UFC and it was great. They decided to do it again. That means a lot to me that they see my dedication, my passion and how all Mexicans work super hard to achieve the best life they can have.”
