Historic trilogy fight between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko ends with third different result

Valentina Shevchenko finally has a win over Alex Grasso.

'Bullet' suffered a shocking submission loss against Grasso last March before the two flyweight stars fought to a draw in their rematch a few months later.

On Saturday, they became the first female fighters to complete a trilogy when they squared off for 125lb at UFC 306 in the Las Vegas Sphere.

The 36-year-old employed a wrestling-heavy game plan to secure unanimous 50-45 scorecards from the three cageside judges and become a champion once again.

Shevchenko secured an early takedown. The former champion maintained top position but faced a serious submission threat from Grasso, who attempted a triangle, armbar, and guillotine choke.

‘Bullet’ didn’t do much with her dominant position, but at the end of the round she landed a big elbow before transitioning to the back just before the horn sounded.

If it wasn’t already clear, Shevchenko made the fact she wants to out-grapple her opponent clear by immediately shooting for a takedown in round two. 

Grasso remained very dangerous off her back. The Mexican got close with a kimura attempt but she ultimately spent most of the five-minute frame on her back and lost the round. 

In round three, they spent over half the round fighting on their feet. 

Unfortunately, both fighters appeared reluctant to engage and only landed pop shots at one another before Shevchenko got the fight to the floor again. 

Grasso couldn’t get up and finished the round on her back for a third time.  

The 31-year-old spent much of round four squeezing with everything she had on a guillotine choke attempt – but Shevchenko eventually popped out of it and continued to dominate from the top position. 

An arm-triangle attempt nearly got her the finish. Shevchenko also moved into the crucifix position to show just how much control she had against the fighter who ended her title reign last year.