Alexa Grasso finds motivation in Joanna Jedrzejczyk ahead of her UFC debut: 'I want to be like her'

Top women's strawweight prospect Alexa Grasso hopes to one day be like UFC champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk.

Grasso is set to make her UFC debut against Heather Jo Clark in her home country of Mexico at The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 3 Finale on Nov. 5. Preparing for the most important fight of her career, Grasso says she finds motivation in Jedrzejczyk, and hopes to one day be like her.

"I want to be like her," Grasso told MMA Fighting. "I love the way she fights. I truly love and think her striking is super cool, and I admire her a lot. I would love to one day be like her."

Grasso is on the right track if she plans on one day being like the champion, as she is undefeated in her MMA career with a professional record of 8-0. She also has a 4-0 record under the Invicta FC banner, defeating notable opponents such as Mizuki Inoue and Jodie Esquibel. Despite setting herself as one of the hottest 115-pound prospects in the world, Grasso says she was surprised when she got the call to fight in the UFC.

"Yeah, totally," Grasso said. "I was very happy, and at first I couldn't believe it, but we've worked very hard and we're really doing things well. I think I deserved it [the opportunity], and believe me, I'm training very hard."

Grasso hasn't fought in her home country of Mexico since 2014, and she's very happy and excited to make her UFC debut in front of her team and supporters. Grasso believes she has a tough fight ahead of her, and that's why her only goal in the UFC right now is beating Clark.

"My goals, well, first is my fight," Grasso explained. "Right now, I don't have time to think of anything else, honestly. I think I always put myself goals that are short-term and after that, many more will come. But believe me that the only thing in my head right now is this fight.

"She's [Clark] very good, and I respect her a lot. I like her philosophy because she's educated, respectful and very disciplined, so it's going to be fun. She's very aggressive and she's well-rounded, so I think there will be a bit of everything in this fight."