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LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag] thinks [autotag]Valentina Shevchenko[/autotag] deserves to be the cover athlete of ‘EA UFC 5.’
Former women’s flyweight champion Shevchenko joins featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski on the cover of the video game, with ex-middleweight champ Israel Adesanya on the cover of a special deluxe edition.
Considering that Grasso dethroned Shevchenko by fourth-round submission to claim the flyweight title at UFC 285, she was asked if she should have been on the cover instead. A classy Grasso said Shevchenko’s accolades need to be recognized.
“No, I don’t think they made a mistake. We can’t forget about everything she has done for the sport,” Grasso told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “She’s a big, big star and it’s not like a win (takes away) all the credit you have done just right now. I have to earn that. I have to have a lot of title defenses, and then after I would hope that I can have my face on the cover of the game.”
Shevchenko was also asked about gracing the cover of the video game during media day, and the former champion said she was grateful for the recognition.
“I’m very honored to be cover of the UFC game,” Shevchenko said. “It’s a huge motivation for me – second female fighter who is on the cover of UFC fight game. It’s a very inspirational thing for me. But from other side for me, there is no after the fight at this moment. Everything for me, it’s in the fight.”
Shevchenko (23-4 MMA, 12-3 UFC) will look to reclaim her flyweight title from Grasso (16-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) when the pair rematch in Saturday’s Noche UFC headliner at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The event streams on ESPN+.
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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Noche UFC.