Ahead of UFC debut, top prospect Alexa Grasso admits she's a 'super fan' of champ Jedrzejczyk

Undefeated women’s strawweight Alexa Grasso was one of the best kept secrets in Invicta FC before the UFC finally signed her to a contract this year.

With the division seeking viable contenders, she could easily be sold as the next challenger to champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk. She’s already ranked No. 6 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA women’s strawweight rankings, the result of her impressive work in the all-female Invicta FC promotion.

Alexa Grasso

The thought of fighting Jedrzejczyk has crossed her mind, of course. She admits she’s a “super fan” of the champ.

“But I know I’m far from that and need more experience,” Grasso, who makes her promotional debut on Saturday at at UFC Fight Night 98, told MMAjunkie.

Unbeaten in eight professional bouts, Grasso (8-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is 23 and brings with her a lot more hype than the average octagon newcomer.

Out of the gate, she fights “The Ultimate Fighter 20” veteran Heather Jo Clark (7-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC), a veteran opponent whose aim is to rob her of that momentum. The pressure will be on to represent her native Mexico when she steps into the cage at Mexico City Arena for the FS1-televised main-card bout.

“When I saw there was going to be an event in Mexico, I was really praying and wishing to fight,” Grasso said. “I didn’t know if it was going to be possible. I wished it, and now it’s here.”

Grasso promises she won’t let the moment get to her. She postponed a college degree in physical therapy to make this dream come true, so she would be remiss not to make the most of her time in the cage.

The zero on her record will accompany her every time she makes her walk, but she said her eyes are open.

“It’s motivating to me,” Grasso said. “Of course, I want to still win, and I’m training hard for that. But I’m totally conscious that I could lose someday. It happens to every fighter in their career. I always go into the cage knowing I could win or lose.”

Check out the full interview above.

And for more on UFC Fight Night 98, check out the UFC Rumors section of MMAjunkie.