UFC Fight Night Result And Report For 17 September 2023: Ratings, Winners And Losers
Noche UFC, a highly anticipated event, took place on September 17, 2023, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The night was filled with thrilling matchups, but the main event between women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso and former champion Valentina Shevchenko stole the show. In a rematch of their earlier encounter, the fight ended in a surprising and controversial split draw.
The card unfolds.
The Noche UFC card was packed with exciting bouts, but we’ll dive into some of the standout moments of the night.
- Josefine Knutsson vs. Marnic Mann
Knutsson displayed her skills against Mann, controlling the fight with her striking and grappling.
The bout ended in a unanimous decision victory for Knutsson (30-24, 30-25, 30-27), showcasing her dominance.
- Charlie Campbell vs. Alex Reyes
Campbell returned after a six-year hiatus due to a spinal infection, and his comeback was electric.
Campbell’s powerful punches overwhelmed Reyes, resulting in a TKO victory for Campbell in the first round.
- Tracy Cortez vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius
Cortez and Jasudavicius engaged in a closely contested bout.
Cortez secured a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) after a fierce battle.
- Edgar Chairez vs. Daniel Lacerda
A controversial referee stoppage led to a no-contest decision in the first round, leaving fans divided.
- Roman Kopylov vs. Josh Fremd
Kopylov showcased his striking skills and secured a TKO victory in the second round with a powerful body punch.
- Loopy Godinez vs. Elise Reed
Godinez delivered a dominant performance, submitting Reed with a rear-naked choke in the second round.
- Kyle Nelson vs. Fernando Padilla
Nelson and Padilla engaged in a back-and-forth battle, with Nelson ultimately winning via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).
- Christos Giagos vs. Daniel Zellhuber
Zellhuber staged a comeback to submit Giagos with an anaconda choke in the second round, impressing fans.
- Terrence Mitchell vs. Raul Rosas Jr.
Rosas Jr. made a statement with a quick TKO victory, finishing Mitchell in just 54 seconds.
- Jack Della Maddalena vs. Kevin Holland
The co-main event featured an exciting matchup between Della Maddalena and Holland, with Della Maddalena winning via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28).
The Main Event: Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko
The main event was a highly anticipated rematch between women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko. Grasso had previously defeated Shevchenko to claim the title, and the rematch promised fireworks.
Round 1: The fighters engaged in a technical battle, with both landing significant strikes. Shevchenko attempted a takedown but was denied by Grasso. The round ended with Shevchenko controlling Grasso along the fence. (10-9 Shevchenko)
Round 2: Grasso stunned Shevchenko with a powerful one-two combination, but Shevchenko recovered quickly. Shevchenko secured a takedown and controlled Grasso on the ground. Grasso landed some rabbit punches from the bottom. (19-19)
Round 3: Shevchenko continued to use her striking skills, while Grasso tried to stay competitive. Shevchenko secured another takedown and mounted Grasso, attempting a guillotine choke. Grasso survived but remained on the defensive. (29-28 Shevchenko)
Round 4: Grasso landed a significant head kick that cut Shevchenko open. Shevchenko responded with a takedown attempt, but Grasso defended well. The round ended with Grasso attempting a heel hook. (39-37 Shevchenko)
Round 5: Grasso and Shevchenko continued to trade strikes, with Grasso attempting a takedown. Shevchenko reversed the position but lost control, allowing Grasso to attempt a rear-naked choke. The round ended with Grasso maintaining back control. (48-47 Shevchenko)
Controversial Draw: Despite a closely contested battle, the judges’ decision was a split draw (48-47, 47-48, 47-47). This surprising outcome left fans and pundits divided, and the controversy surrounding the decision will undoubtedly continue to be a topic of discussion in the MMA world.
Noche UFC delivered an exciting night of fights, culminating in the controversial main event draw between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko. While some bouts showcased dominant performances, others left fans with unanswered questions. MMA fans will eagerly await future events as the sport continues to evolve and produce thrilling moments in the octagon.
