Alexa Grasso Ready to Share the Spotlight with Canelo Alvarez on Mexican Independence Day!

UFC flyweight champion Alexa Grasso is gearing up for a thrilling night in Las Vegas as she prepares to defend her title against Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 306 on September 14. This event, hosted at the Las Vegas Sphere, coincides with Mexican Independence Day, making it a significant occasion for Grasso, who proudly represents her Mexican heritage.

Adding to the excitement, boxing superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez will also be fighting on the same night, defending his WBC, WBA, and WBO super-middleweight titles against Edgar Berlanga at the nearby T-Mobile Arena. While some might see this as a competition between two combat sports, Grasso embraces the opportunity to share the spotlight with one of her idols.

In a recent interview with a popular MMA blog, Grasso expressed her excitement: “I’m a big fan of Canelo. He’s been a huge role model in my career. We are from the same town—Guadalajara. Imagine fighting the same day as him. It’s incredible!”

Grasso has fond memories of watching Mexican boxing legends like Canelo and Juan Manuel Marquez fight on Mexican Independence Day. Now, she gets to honor her roots by stepping into the octagon on the same iconic date. “It’s really cool to fight on such a big day for Mexico,” Grasso said. “Mexican Independence Day is a huge celebration for us, known for great fights featuring Mexican warriors. Being able to do this in MMA as a woman is huge. It’s inspiring and makes me proud to be a part of it.”

UFC CEO Dana White has pledged to make this event an annual tradition, challenging the dominance of boxing on this special day. “I always dreamed of being on a card like this,” Grasso added. “To see it becoming a regular event and being able to participate is a dream come true. It’s not just a fight; it’s a celebration of our culture and heritage.”

As the UFC and boxing worlds collide in Las Vegas, fans are eager to see how the night unfolds. With Grasso and Canelo both representing Guadalajara, it’s sure to be a memorable night for Mexican fight fans everywhere.