Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko 9/16/23 – MMA fans understand the thrill of anticipating an upcoming UFC fight comes with making informed tips. Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko will face Alexa Grasso for the Women’s Flyweight Champion title this September 16, 2023, at T-Mobile Arena at 10:00 PM ET. We provide in-depth analyses of fighters and our predicted tips for this showdown, making us your best free MMA picks source. Hold on, let us give you a reliable analysis.
Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko Game Info
When: | Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 10:00 PM ET |
Where: | T-Mobile Arena Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
TV: | ESPN+ |
Alexa Grasso Analysis
Alexa Grasso stands out in the UFC Women’s Flyweight division with her impressive 16-3-0 record and impressive striking, boasting 4.88 significant strikes per minute on average. A native of Mexico, her success can be credited to her striking skills – which have seen her win 16 consecutive fights at flyweight weight. Her style relies on constant pressure, employing a volume-heavy game to throw opponents off balance and disrupt their rhythm. This technique can be beneficial against fighters struggling to manage high-output attackers. However, Grasso’s low striking accuracy of 43% presents a key concern. Her tendency to throw punches en masse can create openings for Shevchenko to exploit as she opens his counter-striking game plan. At this point, the question becomes whether Grasso can adapt her strategy to emphasize precision over volume alone. When facing off against technical strikers like Shevchenko, unpredictability could become her greatest strength; she must mix up her striking patterns and even incorporate feints to keep Shevchenko guessing.
Grasso could do with some work as a grappler. Her statistics demonstrate a weak grappling game, averaging 0.38 takedowns every 15 minutes with only a 44% accuracy rate – not ideal when facing an opponent such as Shevchenko, who offers solid defensive capabilities but can grapple effectively. It isn’t that Grasso lacks the talent to improve her ground game, but given her numbers, it might not be wise for her to try taking down Shevchenko. Although defensively, she displays promise with a 59% defense rate. There may be red flags that Grasso may need more work on. Shevchenko may present a formidable challenge for Grasso; her defense may not be comprehensive enough to keep up with his accurate striking style, while their last fight may have ended in defeat – depending on how resilient her mental resilience is, this could either serve as fuel for her competitive fire or serve as a psychological burden; ultimately Grasso’s mental state will play a pivotal role in her performance.
Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko Analysis
Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko, as Women’s Flyweight Champion, brings a record of experience and an enviable 23-4-0 record to the cage. Shevchenko stands out as an all-around contender in women’s MMA by excelling in striking and grappling fighting disciplines. Shevchenko may lack the volume of strikes per minute that Grasso provides–an average of 3.29 significant strikes per minute–but she more than makes up for it with her accuracy, landing 53% of them! Her striking is an example of masterful technical prowess. Her approach often involves reading her opponent, exploiting weaknesses, and striking with surgical precision. She’s the kind of fighter who can adapt her strategy from round to round, making her unpredictable and complex to prepare for. Furthermore, her striking is so versatile that it makes her as effective at kickboxing range as in pocket fights.
Shevchenko’s grappling is even more menacing; she averages 2.57 takedowns every 15 minutes at 64% accuracy, making her one of the top grapplers worldwide. Additionally, Shevchenko excels at clinch situations, trip takedowns, and throws from judo clinches with excellent efficiency. Her ground control is substantial, and she excels at shifting into dominant positions quickly – which can be disempowering to opponents. Such grappling proficiency makes her an immediate threat in any fight phase. Defensively, Shevchenko stands out with an excellent 63% defense rate and only 1.99 significant strikes absorbed per minute – numbers that indicate she can minimize damage in five-round championship bouts. Coming off of an earlier victory can give Shevchenko an edge as she seeks to defend her title.
Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko Stats
Grasso | Shevchenko | |
Wins/Losses/Draws | 16-3-0 | 23-4-0 |
Average Fight Time | 14:12 | 17:29 |
Height | 5′ 5″ | 5′ 5″ |
Weight | 125 lbs. | 125 lbs. |
Reach | 66″ | 66″ |
Stance | Orthodox | Southpaw |
Strikes Landed per Min. | 4.88 | 3.29 |
Striking Accuracy | 43% | 53% |
Strikes Absorbed per Min. | 4.07 | 1.99 |
Defense | 59% | 63% |
Takedowns Average/15 min. | 0.38 | 2.57 |
Takedown Accuracy | 44% | 64% |
Takedown Defense | 61% | 72% |
Submission Average/15 min. | 0.6 | 0.3 |
Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko 9/16/23 Free Pick
Based on an in-depth examination of their skill sets, Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko stands out as the superior fighter. Her mastery in striking, grappling, and defense outshines Alexa Grasso’s. With higher strike accuracy rates, superior ground control abilities, and improved defensive stats, Shevchenko may continue her reign as Women’s Flyweight Champion.
Pick: Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko
As more bettors select, our recommendation leans toward Valentina Shevchenko successfully defending her UFC Women’s Strawweight Title against Alexa Grasso. While both competitors possess skilled fighters with incredible techniques and impressive resumes, Shevchenko holds an edge based on stats and recent performances compared with Alexa Grasso. Remember this insight when placing your wagers – don’t miss out on this riveting clash! For the best free sports picks, look no further.