UFC 285 star Valentina Shevchenko almost turned PURPLE as she ...

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.

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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.

"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."