LAS VEGAS – Alexa Grasso will defend her UFC women’s flyweight title on a busy weekend highlighting Mexican culture in combat sports.
At UFC 306, Grasso (16-3-1 MMA, 8-3-1 UFC) shares the cage with former champion Valentina Shevchenko for the third time. The fight itself is historic, but so is the event at the venue, which will be a first-ever live sports broadcast from Sphere.
In addition, Noche UFC is a celebration of Mexican Independence Day, which will focus heavily on the country’s culture and combat sports history.
All of this is exciting for Grasso, but she is also motivated by what will happen simultaneously just a few doors down the Strip at T-Mobile Arena.
Boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez will compete against Edgar Berlanga on the same night as Noche UFC, making for an exciting night of fights, especially for Mexico.
While some may think it’s an oversaturation of combat sports on one night, as fans may have to make a tough choice with their viewing decisions, Grasso is excited.
“For me, honestly, this is really cool,” Grasso told reporters during a UFC 306 open workout media scrum. “I’ve been a big fan of Canelo. We are from the same city, he’s from Guadalajara too. I’ve been watching his whole career and he’s a big role model for athletes in Mexico, especially combat sports.
“So, for me, it’s huge. Like, fighting on the same day as him? It’s inspiring.”
You can check out Grasso’s full media scrum in the video above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 306.
