Former strawweight titleholder Carla Esparza showed the heart of a champion once more in the UFC Mexico co-main event, surviving a tight armbar in the final round to pull off an exciting three-round majority decision win over Alexa Grasso.
Scores were 29-28 twice and 28-28 for the No. 8-ranked Esparza, now 16-6. The No. 9-ranked Grasso falls to 11-3.
The first round was a tough one to call, because while Grasso’s striking game was on target throughout the opening five minutes, Esparza did score a pair of takedowns that kept things close.
Esparza kept Grasso grounded for much of the second round, but once the two stood with 90 seconds left, Grasso was able to stagger her foe briefly before another takedown by the Californian just before the end of the round.
In the opening minute of round three, Grasso rocked Esparza again, and this time it wasn’t momentary, as she was forced to go on the run to clear her head. Esparza looked for the takedown, but Grasso defended well and then looked to lock up an arm. Grasso succeeded, but Esparza remarkably refused to tap and ultimately got loose. With Esparza on top, Grasso still tried to stay busy, and with less than 30 seconds left, she got to her feet, where they proceeded to slug it out to the horn, when they received a well-deserved ovation from the crowd.
