Do you give Grasso the advantage anywhere?

[fortheo]

The closer we are to this fight, the more I've been thinking about it.

Grasso does have decent kicks -- I like her high kick from her lead leg that has very little tell and she will throw a decent amount of leg kicks, but I think we can all agree that val is better at kicking range.

At boxing range I do give grasso a slight advantage mainly because she's busier and will string together nice combos.

Clinch range you need to favor val, both with the muy thai and the takedowns.

I think on the mat they're at a similar level, but because of val's superior wrestling and takedown game, I expect her to be on top and thus win most of the ground exchanges. Alexa has become very good at scrambling lately and isn't afraid to go for subs. It could be interesting on the mat, but I do think the one on top will be winning the grappling for the most part, and I expect that to be val.

 

[Kung Fu Kowboy]

 

[fortheo]

I agree. I watched an interview with her the other day and she seems like a genuine good person, too. I wish her the best in this fight. Hopefully she surprises some people

 

[JarlSkuld]

The only advantage she has is her relative youth. This can play out in some strange ways: less of a chance for freak injuries during the fight, late-fight endurance, etc. But, yeah, basically, everywhere Grasso is good, Schev is better. I predict this will be Val's last easy title defense.

Jarl

 

[VinceArch]

I'm picking Grasso on this one. Might be a false hunch but it's a hunch nonetheless.

 

[Cowboy Kurt Angle]

No

 

[SpiderCrawl]

Hmmm, not really to be honest, kinda sad cause I like Grasso

 

[Eternalwarriorking]

I kinda like her in boxing range. A shame Shev has such a solid kicking and clinch game, though. That pairing is a great way to neutralize boxers-- we'll see that dynamic in Shavkat vs Neal as well.

And I agree about her personality; she seems like a wonderful person. I sort of wish she took a few more fights to develop before jumping on her shot.

 

[RageQuitLord]

Don't even remember how she fights but I do know that I want to simp simp simp simp

 

[markys00]

Yes. Grasso has the advantage of being a judge's favorite. If it's close, she's getting the win. I think UFC desperately wants a Mexican female champ.

 

[fortheo]

The only advantage she has is her relative youth. This can play out in some strange ways: less of a chance for freak injuries during the fight, late-fight endurance, etc. But, yeah, basically, everywhere Grasso is good, Schev is better. I predict this will be Val's last easy title defense.

Jarl

I think Fiorot is an easier fight for val than Grasso is to be honest. The interesting challengers are obviously Santos and Blanchfield.

 

[fortheo]

Yes. Grasso has the advantage of being a judge's favorite. If it's close, she's getting the win. I think UFC desperately wants a Mexican female champ.

Someone forgot to tell that to the judges on the night of this infamous gif

 

[Safton]

Very stylistically favorable match-up for Valentina IMO. I just don't think Grasso is the right archetype of fighter to beat Shevchenko honestly. I'd give her advantage in pure boxing fundamentals inside the pocket and that's about it.

 

[Mmmmmmma1234]

If they fought Queensbury rules like Frank and Fury planning I might favour her that's about it.

I forget the user but in the announcement thread they were sure Grasso beats Val standing unless Val panic wrestles.

 

[Thawing Mammoth]

I dunno her lats look bigger

 

[Rorschachxx]

I think she‘s faster in close boxing range where she has shown good combos.

That being said I‘d be surprised if Val doesn‘t just go full Khabib mode and wrestle right from the start. I feel its the path with least resistance.

 

[whocares]

Grasso? Ti faccio un culo così

 

[fortheo]

Very stylistically favorable match-up for Valentina IMO. I just don't think Grasso is the right archetype of fighter to beat Shevchenko honestly. I'd give her advantage in pure boxing fundamentals inside the pocket and that's about it.

It seems like everyone is on the same page then. I am hoping that she can surprise us though.

 

[taugrim]

I kinda like her in boxing range. A shame Shev has such a solid kicking and clinch game, though. That pairing is a great way to neutralize boxers-- we'll see that dynamic in Shavkat vs Neal as well.

And I agree about her personality; she seems like a wonderful person. I sort of wish she took a few more fights to develop before jumping on her shot.

I think now is the right time for Grasso. Valentina is the standard bearer in the division. Grasso will learn a lot from this fight.

Unlike Val's other 125 title fights, Grasso has good hand speed. It won't be enough, but if Grasso is willing to bite down on that mouthpiece and keep moving forward, it will limit Valentina's potent kicking game.

 

[MrFreeze]

Volume and activity. If she can build momentum and start throwing combinations in 2s and 3s it will look good on the scorecards.