Posts tagged: Alexa Grasso

At 21 years of age, most young adults are uncertain of what their future holds.

Not Mexico’s Alexa Grasso.

The strawweight, who carries an unblemished record of 5-0, made her Invicta Fighting Championships debut in September and bested Ashley Cummins by decision. That experience was a life-changing event for the fighter.

“It was a shock wave; it was amazing,” described Grasso. “I was very excited to fight. So many times I dreamed of that day.”

Success in her first Invicta appearance, along with her early career triumphs, prompted Grasso to re-evaluate her career path.

“After my fourth fight, which was pretty hard, it made me wonder if [fighting] was really what I wanted,” admitted Grasso. “The days after [the fight], I had a beautiful feeling which made me realize that this is what I want.”

Once her mind was clear regarding her fighting career, Grasso took things a step further.

“I decided to pause my studies,” revealed Grasso. “I am in a very important part of my career as a fighter and I really want to put all my attention and efforts into my preparation.”

Instead of balancing homework with training sessions, the Lobo Gym product now finds herself following the same path many of her family members have already gone down inside the boxing ring.

“My family has been a very important part in my life as a fighter,” she explained. “They know exactly what it’s like being on a diet, they know how the body feels after hard workouts and they are always attentive to my needs for my preparation. They understand the passion that is felt being a fighter.”

So why did Grasso choose to blaze her own trail in the cage instead of the ring?

“Boxing is great and I love it, but I think it makes me a very complete fighter to use my whole body to finish my fights compared to only my fists,” said the Guadalajara-based fighter.

Under the tutelage of her uncle and father, Grasso has compiled a record that includes three sub-minute knockouts. She’ll return to action at Invicta FC 10 on Friday, Dec. 5, in Houston. Across the cage will be native Texan Alida Gray, who also possesses three career wins with her fists.

“I think she is an excellent fighter,” proclaimed Grasso of her opponent. “This will be a great show. I hope everybody can watch it on UFC Fight Pass.”

Although Grasso is still very young, she and her Lobo Gym teammate, bantamweight Irene Aldana, are already captivating Mexican fight fans with their talent. The pair both scored wins at Invicta FC 8 and will look to do so again in Houston.

“It was a very big achievement for both of us,” recalled Grasso of their September victories. “It was very important because we showed that there are also good-quality fighters in Mexico.

“We have all eyes on our performances. Invicta is the most important MMA league for women, and it makes me proud to be part of the event.”

If Grasso is able to get past Gray on Dec. 5, her perfect record will undoubtedly land her in title talk at 115 pounds.

“As a fighter, I should be ready for any opportunity that comes my way,” she declared. “So if I have the opportunity to fight for a title, it’s something I cannot let go.

“It would fulfill one of my biggest goals. That’s why I train so hard every day.”

With her country and her family in her corner, Grasso’s hopes for victory—and one day a championship belt—may soon be a reality.

“I do this because I love it. I really believe that when you do things with heart and enjoy them, wishes come true.”

Alexa would like to thank her coaches, Francisco Grasso and Tito Castro, for making her a great person inside and outside the cage, her teammates who have sweated every day with her, her sponsors for taking care of her health and always supporting her, and finally, her dad, who has been living this dream by her side.

Mexican Strawweight Alexa Grasso brings her devastating knockout power to the Invicta FC cage September 6th, when she duels with Ashley Cummins at Invicta FC 8.

Corey Smith: What brought about your interest in Martial Arts? What did you first study?
Alexa Grasso: My uncle is a fighter, so I watched him training and he motivated me. I first started learning Muay Thai.

CS: MMA in Mexico appears to be gaining in popularity. How would you describe the MMA community in Mexico?
AG: The MMA community in Mexico is huge, we have many great academies, great promotions, and we support and are always on the lookout for all those fighters who go on to the big leagues. It gives us pride!
AG: Also many Mexicans are starting to know more about the sport, and I think that the new TUF LATIN AMERICA program is a great step in Mexico.

CS: You possess rare knockout power for a Strawweight. How much do you depend upon that, and are you ready to showcase other areas of your skill set?
AG: In my last fights I have been able to finish that way, but I don’t only depend on that, I am ready to show all my skills.

CS: This will be your first bout outside of Mexico. Do you believe fighting in a new country will add any stress to your routines?
AG: I know this will be something really new for me, but to be honest, I have been dreaming to fight in Invicta FC since the very first time I saw videos about the league, so I will leave my heart in the cage that day.

CS: This will also mark your Invicta FC debut. How has your experience been with the company so far?

AG: I feel so proud and thankful to be part of Invicta, like I said before, this is my dream and I will be doing my best to fulfill it.

CS: Your opponent on September 6th, Ashley Cummins, will be fighting very close to her hometown. What are you expecting out of yourself and your opponent in the bout?
AG: We looked forward to this day so it will be an amazing night. We will both give you the best of us.

CS: What is your mood on fight night? Do you have any routines or superstitions that you have to perform?
AG: I do not have any rituals, I just like listening to music, warming up and reminding myself how much I worked to achieve my goal.

CS: Who generally accompanies you to the cage? What type of feedback and coaching do you prefer from your corners?
AG: My uncle, my dad and an awesome friend, cause they are my trainers. I love when they say to enjoy the fight and how long we have been waiting for this day!

CS: Aside from fight preparation, how much MMA do you watch purely for enjoyment?
AG: I like watching MMA fights and Jiu Jitsu tournaments some weekends, or if Ronda Rousey will be fighting.

CS: Outside of the gym and MMA, what types of activities do you enjoy for fun? What helps you to relax?
AG: Outside MMA, I study, so I like to do my homework or reading. And if I have some free time I like to watch funny movies or have a walk in my lovely city.

CS: Lastly, MMA takes a team to succeed alone inside the cage. Who would you like to thank?
AG: I am very, very thankful first to Francisco Grasso, Luis Grasso and Tito Castro, and all my LOBO GYM and SAMURAI FC teammates because without them I wouldn’t be who I am now.
AG: Thanks to my sponsors who have been taking care of my health every day, and everyone who have helped me in this awesome trip!

Invicta FC 8 takes place September 6th live from the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri. The full card will air live via UFC Fight Pass. Click below for tickets, or to subscribe to UFC FightPass.