LAS VEGAS – Alexa Grasso is ready to take on another notable name in the division.
On Saturday at UFC 246, Grasso will meet Claudia Gadelha, a former title challenger and one of strawweight’s most established fighters.
“Well, this is a very big opportunity,” Grasso told MMA Junkie on Tuesday. “I’m super thankful with the UFC for giving me these opportunities. They notice how hard I work, and that’s why I’m given these big challenges.”
In her last outing, Grasso (11-3 MMA, 3-3 UFC) was edged out by former 115-pound champion Carla Esparza in her home country of Mexico, a fight she thought she won. Prior to that, Grasso had arguably her best performance when she put on a striking clinic against Karolina Kowalkiewicz.
Despite the inconsistency throughout her UFC tenure, Grasso continues to work toward improvement.
“I’ve been in tough fights and situations, but I’ve been doing a lot of good things to improve and always get better,” Grasso said. “Even if I’ve lost, everyone noticed that I’m getting better and that I leave everything in the cage, so that’s a very important thing. Of course, I want to have a winning streak like more consecutive. And, well, this is my opportunity.”
Gadelha, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu blackbelt, often has used her strong grappling game to control fights. And while Grasso is only a purple belt, she continues to hone her skills on the ground.
“I want to be a blackbelt, too, so I’ve been improving my jiu-jitsu skills, my wrestling skills, of course my striking,” Grasso said. “That’s something I feel very comfortable, but like I said, I heard if you want to be successful, you have to put yourself in uncomfortable situations, so that’s what I’ve been doing all this time.
“You’re going to see the best version of Alexa Grasso.”
UFC 246 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
To hear more from Grasso, watch the video above.
