Alexa Grasso Thrilled to Secure First UFC Finish: ‘It Feels Amazing’

You’d have to go back to 2014 to find the last time Alexa Grasso finished a professional mixed martial arts bout, but the Lobo Gym MMA product’s stoppage of Joanne Wood on Saturday was far more significant for her career.

Grasso defeated Wood via rear-naked choke at the 3:57 mark of Round 1 in the UFC on ESPN 33 co-main event on Saturday at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, for her third consecutive triumph in the promotion at 125 pounds.

“It feels amazing. Finally, three wins [in a row] in the UFC and my first finish – my first submission on my record,” Grasso said at the post-fight press conference.

Prior to Saturday, all five of Grasso’s previous UFC victories had gone the distance. That wasn’t by design.

“Of course, as a fighter you always want to finish a fight,” she said. “It took a long time … but now I feel great. As I’m getting older, too, I feel more mature – my mind, my body, and my fight game.”

Grasso has always been best known for her boxing, which she acknowledged during the post-fight media session. However, she has also been working diligently to become more of a submission threat, which she showed by choking out Wood.

“This is a place that we wanted to explore, also because, as I say, my last fights, I’ve been trying to show my skills on the ground,” Grasso said. “I wanted to show I’m also still learning. I’m not just a striker. I want to show everyone I’m also a finisher on the ground. My jiu-jitsu is evolving.

“…I love boxing. I love my hands. I love to do technique so clean, that’s my favorite thing,” she added. “Now I don’t just trust in my hands, I trust in my ground game.”

After an up-and-down tenure as a strawweight, Grasso appears to have found a home at 125 pounds with a 3-0 mark. It’s a division where winning streaks such as hers get noticed, especially since Valentina Shevchenko continues to clean out the weight class.

“This (a title shot) will be a dream come true,” Grasso said of the potential opportunity. “Since I’m not injured right now, I’ll come back to the gym and keep training just to be ready.”

Grasso is well aware of the challenge that Shevchenko, currently ranked No. 1 in Sherdog.com’s female pound-for-pound rankings, presents.

“Having a champion like that, it’s always a challenge for all athletes because we have to do everything perfect,” Grasso said. “That’s what I’ve been doing. I love crisp technique. I love sharp technique. I think that’s going to be the key.”