UFC 285 star Valentina Shevchenko almost turned PURPLE as she was choked out by Alexa Grasso to lose flyweight title

VALENTINA SHEVCHENKO turned a crimson red as she was choked out in her flyweight showdown with Alexa Grasso.

The former dominant women’s flyweight champion lost the 125lbs title to the Mexican in the co-main event of UFC 285 in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

GettyValentina Shevchenko’s reign as flyweight champ came to an end at UFC 285[/caption]

GettyThe Kyrgyzstani killer suffered a fourth-round submission defeat to Alexa Grasso[/caption]

AFPShevchenko almost turned purple before she tapped the Mexican[/caption]

Grasso was overcome with emotion after becoming the UFC’s first Mexican female championGETTY

Shevchenko was seemingly on course for another routine title defence until Grasso took her back after perfectly timing a spinning back kick.

Grasso didn’t waste the golden opportunity, sinking in hooks and eventually cinching in a rear-naked choke.

Shevchenko tried her hardest to fight the choke, turning redder and redder with each passing second.

But she was forced to relinquish her title to Grasso by tapping – with her head returning to its normal colour seconds after the choke was let go.

The T-Mobile Arena erupted as Shevchenko’s reign as flyweight queen came to an end and Grasso – Mexico’s first female UFC champ – began hers.

Shevchenko was gracious in defeat but couldn’t help but lament the spinning kick which cost her title.

In her post-fight interview, she said: “This is what happens in mixed martial arts.

“You’re winning the fight all rounds, no doubt, and a stupid situation can change the whole game.

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“This is part of the game. Congratulations to Alexa, but I know I’m stronger.

“If it wasn’t for the spinning kick, it would’ve been a different result.

Bullet is hoping an immediate rematch will be on the cards.

She told UFC commentator Joe Rogan: “Definitely an immediate rematch, because I know I was winning the fight.”