Alexa Grasso (16-3-1) and Valentina Shevchenko (23-4-1) fight to a split decision draw (48-47, 47-48, 47-47) in a competitive championship rematch at UFC Noche on Saturday in Las Vegas, Nevada at the T-Mobile Arena.

The split decision draw came as a surprise to many fans and spectators, as judge Mike Bell scored the 5^th round 10-8 for Alexa Grasso, but the other two judges scored the round a 10-9 for Grasso. Many seem to believe that the fight did not consist of a 10-8 round at all.

Grasso relied on her striking ability in this rematch against the former champion. Grasso landed 262/408 strikes throughout the fight and scored a knockdown in the 2^nd. She also came close to finishing Shevchenko with a rear naked choke late in the 5^th round.

Shevchenko used her wrestling and grappling prowess to control a good portion of the fight. Shevchenko landed 4/7 takedowns for 8:37 of control time. She also complied 199/301 total strikes and almost ended the fight when she came close to locking in a rear naked choke in the 3^rd round.

Grasso defeated Shevchenko in their last fight earlier this year to become UFC Women’s Flyweight champion when she submitted Shevchenko via face crank.

The former champion, Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko, felt she did enough to win the fight and that the judges gifted the bout to Alexa Grasso.

“I think it really was 3-2 my side, but judges I think were a little bit [under] pressure because it’s Mexican Independence Day”, said Shevchenko.

In the Co-Main Event, Jack Della Maddalena took a split decision victory over Kevin Holland. Holland landed more strikes than Maddalena with 127 total strikes to 105, but Maddalena was the more accurate striker landing 55% of his total strikes (105/190) to Holland’s 35.6% (127/356).

Maddalena’s victory over Holland extends his winning streak to 16 and his professional record to 16-2. This win should push Maddalena into competing against the elite of the UFC welterweight division, as Holland was ranked 13^th before the loss.

Rual Rosas Jr. made quick work of Terrence Mitchell when he landed a left hook that dropped Mitchel early in the fight. Rosas Jr. then lunged at Mitchell and threw a barrage of punches to get the TKO victory 0:54 into the 1^st round.

This victory moves Rosas Jr. to 8-1 and gives him his 2^nd win in the UFC. Rosas Jr. lost his last outing in the octagon when he lost a decision to Christian Rodriguez earlier this year. With this win over Mitchell, Rosas Jr. showed his improved striking and patience, as he continues to rise throughout the UFC’s bantamweight division.

Elsewhere on the main card, Daniel Zellhuber defeated Christos Giagos by submission via anaconda choke in the 2^nd round. Also, Kyle Nelson recorded a unanimous decision victory over Fernando Padilla.

Prelims

Lupita Godinez def. Elise Reed via submission (Rear-Naked Choke) 2^nd RD 3:30

Roman Kopylov def. Josh Fremd via KO (Punch) 2^nd RD 4:44

Edgar Chairez vs. Daniel da Silva No-Contest (Ref. Premature Stoppage)

Tracy Cortez def. Jasmine Jasudavicius via Unanimous Decision (2x 30-27, 29-28)

Charlis Campbell def. Alex Reyes via KO/TKO (Punches) 1^st RD 3:38

Josefine Knutsson def. Marnic Mann via Unanimous Decision (30-24, 30-25, 30-27)