Alexa Grasso releases statement after loss to Felice Herrig

Last night, in the co-main event of the UFC’s latest trip to Houston, 23-year-old strawweight prospect Alexa Grasso faced the biggest test of her career in WMMA veteran Felice Herrig. Despite Herrig’s big-stage experience, this one was expected to be a blowout for the young Grasso, as evidenced by her status as a 3-1 betting favorite.

In the end, however, Herrig sprung the upset, handing Grasso the first loss of her career with a unanimous decision win. With this result, she looks ahead to bigger challenges, while Grasso will now return to the drawing board.

In the wake of her loss to Herrig, Grasso took to Instagram to address her fans. See her post, (followed by an English translation) below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BQIKY3FAoEK/

“My first loss, 9-1. I do not have much to say. This was not my night. For a moment I thought I had won this fight, but after seeing the replay I realized how many mistakes I made and why I did not win. Felice Herrig did an excellent job. Thanks to all the people who were supporting me and for their beautiful messages. Thanks to all my Wolf team, I promise to try harder every day. I’m ready to go back to training, I still have a lot to improve and a long way to go.”

Grasso’s loss to Herrig follows a successful UFC debut, which saw her defeat Heather Jo Clarke by unanimous decision. Herrig, meanwhile, is now on a two-fight win-streak, having taken out another prospect in Kailin Curran in her second most recent fight.

Who would you like to see Alexa Grasso fight next? Play matchmaker and make your voice heard in the comments. Sound off, PENN Nation!

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 2/5/2017.