Manon Fiorot acknowledges Valentina Shevchenko’s significant career accomplishments but believes she and the rest of the UFC flyweight division have now reached a comparable level.
Fiorot is set to challenge Shevchenko for the flyweight championship in the co-main event of UFC 315 this Saturday in Montreal. Known as “The Beast,” Fiorot holds a perfect 7-0 record in the UFC and has arguably been the top contender at 125 pounds for over a year, patiently awaiting the conclusion of Shevchenko’s trilogy with Alexa Grasso.
Shevchenko reclaimed the title with a decisive decision victory over Grasso at UFC 306 last September. When asked about her impression of Shevchenko`s performance in that fight, Fiorot was candid.
“No, to be honest, I’m not impressed by her performance,” Fiorot stated. “For me, it’s just lay and pray, and she won the fight, [but] I don’t see a lot of [great things] and stuff like that. Definitely, for me, it’s not a good performance.”
Fiorot anticipates that Shevchenko will attempt to take her down, but she is confident in her preparation. “Definitely I think she wants to take me down, but I’m trained for that and [you saw that] in my last fight against [Erin] Blanchfield. So I can wrestle, and have [high-level wrestling defense].”
Fiorot’s upcoming bout marks her return since her dominant win over Blanchfield in the main event of UFC Atlantic City in March 2024. The 35-year-old expressed relief at finally securing the title shot after the long wait.
Regarding Shevchenko, Fiorot feels the champion is no longer the seemingly unbeatable force she once was.
“I think she’s not the best woman in the world,” Fiorot explained. “She’s not dominant as she [was] a few years ago because of, perhaps, the level of the division. And when I see her fight against Taila Santos, a split decision and it’s tight and same thing for Grasso and she [went 1-1-1 in the trilogy].” Fiorot concluded, “So, yeah, definitely the level of the flyweight division is higher than in the past.”
Fiorot’s victory over Blanchfield highlighted her effective use of size and strength—advantages she believes will be crucial when she faces Shevchenko this weekend.
“Definitely you can see her in the face-off [earlier this week], I’m bigger and stronger than her,” Fiorot commented. She also noted statistics, stating, “If you take a look at UFC statistics, I [throw] more punches during the fights [than she does]. It’s facts — and I think I have a better cardio, too.”
For Fiorot, the waiting game is finally over. She no longer has to delay her title aspirations for another Shevchenko vs. Grasso bout or potentially be leapfrogged by other contenders like strawweight champion Zhang Weili.
Should UFC CEO Dana White present her with the title belt on Saturday, Fiorot anticipates it will be one of the most significant moments of her life.
“Dream come true,” Fiorot said, reflecting on her long-held goal. “I’ve just [thought about the belt] when I began in UFC in my first fight, so definitely [will be] the dream come true.”
