Former flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko will undergo surgery to repair a broken thumb suffered during her rematch against Alexa Grasso at Noche UFC, which ended in a split draw.
Valentina Shevchenko, the past flyweight champion, is set for surgery after officially sustaining a broken thumb in the first round of her rematch against Alexa Grasso at Noche UFC. To mend the damage, Shevchenko will have to go through a surgical procedure. She recently disclosed on Instagram that doctors had confirmed a “comminuted fracture that requires surgery.” According to internal sources, Shevchenko can resume contact approximately three months post-surgery.
In spite of her hand injury, Shevchenko valiantly made it to a split draw with Grasso following five intense rounds. However, if judge Mike Bell hadn’t controversially scored Grasso a 10-8 in the fifth round, Shevchenko could have won back the UFC flyweight title via split decision. Consequently, the results were split, and Grasso retained her title.
Next moves for Shevchenko are unclear given the disappointing results and her injury. However, she mentioned a preference for another match with Grasso on her recovery. Grasso expressed flexibility, stating she’s open to whatever the UFC suggests for her next title defense. No decisions have been made by the UFC regarding the flyweight title so far. But, Shevchenko’s temporary departure post-surgery might provide an opportunity for top-ranked challengers, such as Erin Blanchfield or Manon Fiorot, to compete for the title. Shevchenko will now focus on her surgical procedure before planning her return in 2024.