Noche UFC debuts on Mexican Independence Day in Las Vegas

It was the tap out heard around the MMA world. As soon as Alexa Grasso saw Valentina Shevchenko begin to move into a backspin kick during their March 4 match at UFC 285, the then-challenger for the women’s flyweight title instinctively moved behind the champion and executed a chokehold. Shevchenko submitted, setting stage the stage for a rematch that tops the fight card for the inaugural Noche UFC taking place on the evening of Sept. 16, Mexican Independence Day.

Grasso, from Guadalajara, is not only the second undisputed women’s champion hailing from Mexico (and second fighter to defeat Shevchenko) but is the third Mexican citizen to win a UFC title this year. Her victory follows Brandon Moreno’s unification of the flyweight title at UFC 283 and Yair Rodríguez’s interim featherweight title win at UFC 284 in Perth, Australia.

A rematch was the perfect foundation to build…