How did Alexa Grasso squeak by Randa Markos in UFC-Mexico City co-headliner?

MEXICO CITY – Alexa Grasso squeaked by Randa Markos in Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 114 co-headliner, and she can point to a few reasons for the narrow victory.

Grasso (10-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) narrowly outpointed a tough Markos (7-5 MMA, 3-4 UFC) and earned a split-decision victory via 28-29, 29-28 and 29-28 scores.

The bout, which aired on FS1 from Mexico City Arena in Grasso’s native Mexico, was contested at 119 pounds after the 23-year-old Mexican prospect missed the strawweight limit by three pounds during Friday’s weigh-ins. In an Instagram post, she pointed to a urinary tract infection and antibiotics as the reasons she missed weight.

Despite the weight-cutting hiccup, Grasso got the victory – albeit narrowly. She said she deserved the win because of her late-fight strategy.

“I never stopped moving,” she said through an interpreter. “In the second round, maybe I started getting better control, but in the third round, I got my strategy right, and I think I never stopped moving and fought very well.”

What was the adjustment she made, especially as Mexico City’s notorious altitude seemingly became a factor in the second half of the fight?

“I had to fix the strategy with the kicks,” said Grasso, who cut down on her kicks to avoid being taken down. ” … I think that another factor that played into my favor is (Markos’) breathing. She was breathing very toughly. (I had) three weeks and Randa didn’t have the three weeks to train here.

“But she’s still a dangerous fighter, and I had to be cautious because of that.”

It was a much-needed win for Grasso, who rebounded from her first career loss – a unanimous-decision defeat to vet Felice Herrig in February. Prior to that, the former Invicta FC fighter won her first nine fights – four via knockout.

“Nervousness betrayed me (in the Herrig fight),” she said. ” … I overcame that in this fight.”

The win obviously helped matters this time around, though her health was working against her. However, she said she didn’t want to turn the opportunity to fight in front of Mexica fans, who gave her boost when Markos scored takedowns and often had her pinned against the canvas.

“I’m very happy that I fought and that I took the risk even if it was against my health, and I’m very happy with the fight,” she said.

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 114, check out the UFC Events section of the site.