BOXING superstar Canelo Alvarez usually headlines in Las Vegas on Mexican Independence Day weekend, but even he’s had to step aside for the new first lady of Mexican fight sports.

Alexa Grasso became the inaugural Mexican UFC women’s champion when she dethroned long-standing flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko in March.

The 30-year-old also claimed top spot in the pound-for-pound female rankings with her submission victory that laughed in the face of the industry odds.

But Grasso will have to prove lightening does indeed strike twice in their immediate rematch booked for Saturday night.

Cool and collected, Grasso dominated the stand-up game in her first title fight, countering off the back foot and continually switching stances to befuddle the then champ.

But it was the fourth-round face crank submission which truly rubber stamped the upset. By being the first woman ever to submit Shevchenko, Grasso became an overnight star.

THE BULLET

After eight successful consecutive title matches, Shevchenko cruised into the first Grasso match as the #1 female fighter on the planet.

Her trail of destruction included a relative who’s who of the 125lb weight class with a fair sprinkling of utterly dominant and brutal performances.

But, six months ago, the 35-year-old was unstitched by her rival. A lifetime as a kickboxing and Muay Thai world champion were no match for Grasso’s slick, switch-hitting boxing.

And even when she forced takedowns, Grasso was more than a match off her back, defending from guard and attacking from the bottom.

The rear naked choke that missed and ended up across the bottom of Valentina’s jaw became a face crank she was forced to tap too rather than risk a fractured jaw.

PRIMERA MUJER

The manner of the finish perhaps best highlights Grasso’s increased strength at flyweight. Since moving up a weight class in 2020 she’s undefeated in five that includes her first two career submissions.

In back-to-back five round fights she looks far more comfortable over the 25-minute distance and has revelled in the role of headliner.

But it’s one thing coming in as an underdog challenger in a co-main event under the heavyweight title. Demands on her time would have been at a minimum then.

This week she’s had to experience the trappings of being the main attraction for the first time: carrying all the media engagements whilst being the face of the event – all during the biggest annual celebration in her nation’s calendar.

It’s whether Grasso can handle that pressure that will determine if her reign ends before its even begun.

REVENGE OR REPEAT

Shevchenko looked surprised at Grasso’s speed in the first fight and was forced to surrender her stand-up game and look for takedowns. She had to re-evaluate her plan of attack.

But ‘The Bullet’ knows what she’s facing this time. Expect a far more cautious approach from the former champion; with less aggression and spinning attacks.

Both are counter strikers, looking to do damage off the backfoot. But where Valentina pressed forward in March, she’ll be more patient on Saturday which will likely feed the vociferous Mexican crowd into growing impatient.

That will force Grasso to push forward, which should present clearer opportunities for Shevchenko to score and sway the judges. Viva la… Bullet!

TIP: Shevchenko on Points 7/4