Karen Alexa Grasso Montes (born August 9, 1993) is a Mexican professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the women's Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where she is the former UFC Women's Flyweight Champion. Grasso is the first Mexican female fighter to win a UFC championship. She is also a UFC analyst for UFC Español for Spanish broadcasts. As of February 3, 2026, she is #3 in the Meta UFC women's flyweight rankings and as of March 31, 2026, she is #7 in the UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings.
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Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Grasso made her professional MMA debut in December 2012 in her native Mexico. During the first eighteen months of her career, she amassed an undefeated record of 5 wins (3 by TKO, 2 by decision) and 0 losses.
Invicta FC
After taking a year away from the sport, Grasso made her Invicta FC debut on September 6, 2014, against Ashley Cummins at Invicta FC 8. She won the fight via unanimous decision.
In her second fight for the promotion, Grasso faced Alida Gray on December 5, 2014, at Invicta FC 10. She won the fight via TKO in the first round.
Grasso next faced Mizuki Inoue on February 27, 2015, in the co-main event at Invicta FC 11. She won the fight by unanimous decision. The bout also earned Grasso her first Fight of the Night bonus award.
Grasso was expected to challenge Livia Renata Souza for the Invicta Strawweight Title at Invicta FC 14 on 12 September 2015 but was forced to withdraw due to injury.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
On August 11, 2016, it was announced that Grasso had signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She faced Heather Jo Clark on November 5, 2016, at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale: dos Anjos vs. Ferguson in Mexico City, Mexico. She won the fight by unanimous decision.
Grasso next faced Felice Herrig on February 4, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 104. She lost the fight by unanimous decision, marking the first defeat in her professional career.
On August 5, 2017, Grasso faced Randa Markos at UFC Fight Night: Pettis vs. Moreno. Grasso suffered from a urinary tract infection and was medically advised to stop cutting weight and be placed on antibiotics, as a result she came in at 119 lbs, three pounds over the strawweight limit and was fined 20% of her purse that went to Markos. The bout proceeded at a catchweight. Grasso won the fight via split decision.
Grasso faced Tatiana Suarez on May 19, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 129. She lost the fight via a rear-naked choke in round one.
Grasso was scheduled to face Angela Hill on August 25, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 135. However, Grasso was pulled out from the bout on July 19, 2018, due to knee injury.
Grasso was expected to face Marina Rodriguez on February 2, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 144. However, it was reported on December 17, 2018, that Rodriguez pulled out of the event due to a hand injury. The pair was rescheduled to UFC on ESPN 2. However, on March 22, 2019, it was reported Grasso was injured and she was replaced by Jessica Aguilar.
Grasso faced Karolina Kowalkiewicz on June 8, 2019, at UFC 238. She won the fight by unanimous decision.
Grasso faced Carla Esparza on September 21, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 17. She lost the fight by majority decision. This fight earned her the Fight of the Night award.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
Ultimate Fighting Championship
UFC Women's Flyweight Championship (One time)
One successful title defense
First Mexican woman to win a UFC championship
Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Carla Esparza
Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Valentina Shevchenko 1 and Maycee Barber 2
Third most significant strikes thrown in a 3-round fight (369) vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz
UFC Honors Awards
2023: President's Choice Performance of the Year Nominee vs. Valentina Shevchenko 1
UFC.com Awards
2023: Submission of the Year, Upset of the Year & Ranked #9 Fight of the Year vs. Valentina Shevchenko 1, Ranked #5 Upset of the Year, Ranked #10 Fight of the Year vs. Valentina Shevchenko 2 & Ranked #2 Fighter of the Year
2026: Half-Year Awards: Best Knockout of the 1HY vs. Maycee Barber
Invicta Fighting Championships
Fight of the Night (one time) vs. Mizuki Inoue
Performance of the Night (one time) vs. Jodie Esquibel
New York Post
2023 Female Fighter of the Year
2023 Upset of the Year vs. Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 285 (tied with Sean Strickland)