On International Women’s Day, UFC CEO Dana White dropped a bombshell: Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko will serve as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) Season 32 on June 4th, and the announcement has sent shockwaves through the MMA community.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), White made the announcement, along with the caption:
“Happy International Women’s Day! #TUF32 coaches will be @AlexaGrasso and @BulletValentina premiering June 4th on @ESPN! @UltimateFighter”
In the clip, the UFC president stated, “What’s up everybody. We have just confirmed the coaches for Season 32 of The Ultimate Fighter. and it will be UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso and former champion Valentina Shevchenko.”
“Brasso became the 1st Mexican USC women’s champion after defeating Shevchenko and their last fight ended in a draw. Before their last 2 fights Valentina had successfully defended the belt 7 times. This show will premier on June 4th on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+. I don’t have to tell you these are the most badass women on the planet and this should be a very fun season!” he added. [H/T BJPenn.com]
Happy International Women's Day!#TUF32 coaches will be @AlexaGrasso and @BulletValentina premiering June 4th on @ESPN! @UltimateFighter pic.twitter.com/JC4msNmWuY
— danawhite (@danawhite) March 8, 2024
The Alexa Grasso-Valentina Shevchenko Rivalry
The backstory is intriguing. Grasso (16-3-1 MMA) and Shevchenko (23-4-1 MMA) have a history—a trilogy in the making. Their first encounter at UFC 285 in March last year saw Grasso emerge victorious with a submission win.
But the drama didn’t end there. Just six months later, they clashed again at the UFC’s inaugural Noche event, resulting in a controversial draw. Now, as opposing coaches, they’ll reignite their rivalry in the TUF gym.
At UFC 285, Grasso made history by becoming the first Mexican UFC women’s champion after defeating Shevchenko. Her relentless style and determination have earned her a legion of fans. But can she translate her success into coaching prowess? As a fighter, she knows the game inside out. Now, she’ll impart her knowledge to aspiring fighters on TUF.
Shevchenko, on the other hand, is no stranger to gold. Before her two bouts with Grasso, she had successfully defended the flyweight belt seven times. Her striking precision and well-rounded skills make her a formidable opponent. As a coach, she’ll bring her championship mindset to the table, moulding the next generation of fighters.
What to Expect from TUF 32
The Ultimate Fighter has a storied history of producing future stars. With Grasso and Shevchenko at the helm, we can anticipate intense training sessions, emotional breakdowns, and jaw-dropping fights. These women are not just coaches; they’re role models for aspiring female fighters worldwide. As TUF 32 unfolds, we’ll witness their passion, grit, and determination.
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