Manon Fiorot Loses Patience In Title Fight Wait, Tells Valentina Shevchenko ‘Sign The Contract Or Retire’

UFC women’s flyweight Manon Fiorot continues to berate Valentina Shevchenko over their expected championship collision. Fiorot earned her shot this past March when she got the better of Erin Blanchfield in Atlantic City. The result, which came in the Frenchwoman’s maiden main event on MMA’s biggest stage, extended her professional win streak to 12 and […]

UFC women’s flyweight Manon Fiorot continues to berate Valentina Shevchenko over their expected championship collision.

Fiorot earned her shot this past March when she got the better of Erin Blanchfield in Atlantic City. The result, which came in the Frenchwoman’s maiden main event on MMA’s biggest stage, extended her professional win streak to 12 and perfect UFC record to 7-0.

Having defeated “Cold Blooded,” Rose Namajunas, Katlyn Cerminara and Jennifer Maia consecutively, there’s little doubt over the #2-ranked contender’s place at the front of the queue. But for much of this year, “The Beast” was made to wait as Shevchenko and Alexa Grasso completed their trilogy.

“Bullet” emerged victorious from it at the Sphere, returning to the throne and beginning a second reign as 125-pound queen. Fortunately for the matchmakers, Shevchenko’s first challenge was already seemingly lined up — and it’s safe to say she’s in a hurry…

Fiorot recently took to social media to express frustration at the ongoing wait for her title chance, tagging Shevchenko and calling for her to either put pen to paper on a bout agreement or hang up her gloves.

@BulletValentina You can’t hide anymore, so sign this contract or retire,” Fiorot wrote.

For now, a date and event for Fiorot’s likely title shot is unclear, but she’ll no doubt be preparing for the her shot at joining Ciryl Gane as only the second French UFC champ — first to achieve the feat as an undisputed titleholder.

With two championship fights set for both UFC 311 in Los Angeles on Jan. 18 and UFC 312 in Australia the following month, it would appear that the earliest Shevchenko vs. Fiorot could come together is March.

Manon Fiorot Loses Patience In Title Fight Wait, Tells Valentina Shevchenko ‘Sign The Contract Or Retire’

UFC women’s flyweight Manon Fiorot continues to berate Valentina Shevchenko over their expected championship collision. Fiorot earned her shot this past March when she got the better of Erin Blanchfield in Atlantic City. The result, which came in the Frenchwoman’s maiden main event on MMA’s biggest stage, extended her professional win streak to 12 and […]

UFC women’s flyweight Manon Fiorot continues to berate Valentina Shevchenko over their expected championship collision.

Fiorot earned her shot this past March when she got the better of Erin Blanchfield in Atlantic City. The result, which came in the Frenchwoman’s maiden main event on MMA’s biggest stage, extended her professional win streak to 12 and perfect UFC record to 7-0.

Having defeated “Cold Blooded,” Rose Namajunas, Katlyn Cerminara and Jennifer Maia consecutively, there’s little doubt over the #2-ranked contender’s place at the front of the queue. But for much of this year, “The Beast” was made to wait as Shevchenko and Alexa Grasso completed their trilogy.

“Bullet” emerged victorious from it at the Sphere, returning to the throne and beginning a second reign as 125-pound queen. Fortunately for the matchmakers, Shevchenko’s first challenge was already seemingly lined up — and it’s safe to say she’s in a hurry…

Fiorot recently took to social media to express frustration at the ongoing wait for her title chance, tagging Shevchenko and calling for her to either put pen to paper on a bout agreement or hang up her gloves.

@BulletValentina You can’t hide anymore, so sign this contract or retire,” Fiorot wrote.

For now, a date and event for Fiorot’s likely title shot is unclear, but she’ll no doubt be preparing for the her shot at joining Ciryl Gane as only the second French UFC champ — first to achieve the feat as an undisputed titleholder.

With two championship fights set for both UFC 311 in Los Angeles on Jan. 18 and UFC 312 in Australia the following month, it would appear that the earliest Shevchenko vs. Fiorot could come together is March.

Manon Fiorot Loses Patience In Title Fight Wait, Tells Valentina Shevchenko ‘Sign The Contract Or Retire’

UFC women’s flyweight Manon Fiorot continues to berate Valentina Shevchenko over their expected championship collision. Fiorot earned her shot this past March when she got the better of Erin Blanchfield in Atlantic City. The result, which came in the Frenchwoman’s maiden main event on MMA’s biggest stage, extended her professional win streak to 12 and […]

UFC women’s flyweight Manon Fiorot continues to berate Valentina Shevchenko over their expected championship collision.

Fiorot earned her shot this past March when she got the better of Erin Blanchfield in Atlantic City. The result, which came in the Frenchwoman’s maiden main event on MMA’s biggest stage, extended her professional win streak to 12 and perfect UFC record to 7-0.

Having defeated “Cold Blooded,” Rose Namajunas, Katlyn Cerminara and Jennifer Maia consecutively, there’s little doubt over the #2-ranked contender’s place at the front of the queue. But for much of this year, “The Beast” was made to wait as Shevchenko and Alexa Grasso completed their trilogy.

“Bullet” emerged victorious from it at the Sphere, returning to the throne and beginning a second reign as 125-pound queen. Fortunately for the matchmakers, Shevchenko’s first challenge was already seemingly lined up — and it’s safe to say she’s in a hurry…

Fiorot recently took to social media to express frustration at the ongoing wait for her title chance, tagging Shevchenko and calling for her to either put pen to paper on a bout agreement or hang up her gloves.

@BulletValentina You can’t hide anymore, so sign this contract or retire,” Fiorot wrote.

For now, a date and event for Fiorot’s likely title shot is unclear, but she’ll no doubt be preparing for the her shot at joining Ciryl Gane as only the second French UFC champ — first to achieve the feat as an undisputed titleholder.

With two championship fights set for both UFC 311 in Los Angeles on Jan. 18 and UFC 312 in Australia the following month, it would appear that the earliest Shevchenko vs. Fiorot could come together is March.

Former Opponent Says Valentina Shevchenko May Struggle With One Aspect Of Fighting Manon Fiorot

Following the conclusion of her trilogy with Alexa Grasso, flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is ready to move on to her next challenger. Fortunately for her, in the time between her first and final encounters with Grasso, a new contender has emerged at the top of the division that she is yet to face. French striker […]

Continue Reading Former Opponent Says Valentina Shevchenko May Struggle With One Aspect Of Fighting Manon Fiorot at MMA News.

Following the conclusion of her trilogy with Alexa Grasso, flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko is ready to move on to her next challenger. Fortunately for her, in the time between her first and final encounters with Grasso, a new contender has emerged at the top of the division that she is yet to face.

French striker Manon Fiorot has won seven in a row since arriving in the UFC to mark her out as the clear and obvious next challenger for Shevchenko. In her last two fights, she beat Rose Namajunas and Erin Blanchfield who faced off with one another this past weekend in Edmonton.

After Blanchfield secured the decision win, she called out Grasso for a title eliminator whilst she waits for Fiorot to get her long deserved title shot. In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Fiorot’s former opponent gave her thoughts on how she might fare against the champion.

Blanchfield drew attention to the size of the challenger as an interesting problem for Shevchenko to try and solve with her efficient and varied toolbox. In what many will expect to be Fiorot’s striking versus Shevchenko’s grappling, the size difference between them could end up being a crucial factor in the fight.

The champion may have previously competed as a bantamweight but she isn’t the biggest fighter in this weight class and that could be an issue for her because of how good Fiorot is at using this to her advantage.

“I think Manon can use her size. I think she’s a very big flyweight and she knows how to use her range and like her length. I think Valentina is more like dynamic and has more skills so I’m curious how Valentina is going to deal with her size because I know in the past, let’s say with like Taila, I remember complaining about how big Taila is and I feel like Manon’s significantly bigger so yeah, I think it’s a good match-up and I’m curious to see how it goes.”   

Continue Reading Former Opponent Says Valentina Shevchenko May Struggle With One Aspect Of Fighting Manon Fiorot at MMA News.

Rose Namajunas Doesn’t Believe She Deserves The Next Title Shot With Blanchfield Win

Rose Namajunas looks to make it three in a row this weekend when she returns in the co-main event of the UFC’s visit to Edmonton. The #5-ranked contender will take on one of the flyweight division’s most exciting talents in Erin Blanchfield who holds the #3-spot. With Blanchfield looking to rebound from the first loss […]

Continue Reading Rose Namajunas Doesn’t Believe She Deserves The Next Title Shot With Blanchfield Win at MMA News.

Rose Namajunas looks to make it three in a row this weekend when she returns in the co-main event of the UFC’s visit to Edmonton. The #5-ranked contender will take on one of the flyweight division’s most exciting talents in Erin Blanchfield who holds the #3-spot.

With Blanchfield looking to rebound from the first loss of her UFC career last time out and Namajunas coming off of wins over Amanda Ribas and Tracy Cortez, there are big stakes here but not for anything that “Thug” Rose believes will happen in the near future.

On her flyweight debut in September last year, the former two-time strawweight champion was beaten by Manon Fiorot who then went on to dominate Blanchfield this past March. Despite her seven-fight win streak against some of the top names in the division, the French fighter is still yet to receive her title shot.

That’s due to the trilogy of fights between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko that recently wrapped up at UFC 306 where Shevchenko regained the top spot. In a recent interview with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri, Namajunas said that even if she beats Blanchfield in impressive fashion this Saturday, she feels it would be wrong for her to get a shot at the belt before Fiorot.

“I would still feel even with a good performance, well we could cross that bridge when get to it, but I feel like I’d still feel bad for some reason if I jumped her but you know, that’s just kind of, I don’t know. I am a person of integrity so I do feel like she deserves to be next in line. She’s been kind of waiting and although I do know that like I don’t know where her head is at, if she’s like saying no to offers than that’s not a thing to do either. Like if the UFC wants her to fight again then she should do that but ultimately, the UFC is kind of the judge of that and it’s up to me to have a really good performance as well to make that case.”   

Continue Reading Rose Namajunas Doesn’t Believe She Deserves The Next Title Shot With Blanchfield Win at MMA News.

Backup Fighter Apparently Set For Title Bout At Sphere-Held Noche UFC On September 14

Contingency plans are in place for at least one of the championship fights set for Noche UFC at the Sphere, should there be a late-notice withdrawal. The organization will stage its second celebration of Mexican Independence Day on September 14 following the success of the inaugural event in 2023. Las Vegas will once again play […]

Continue Reading Backup Fighter Apparently Set For Title Bout At Sphere-Held Noche UFC On September 14 at MMA News.

Contingency plans are in place for at least one of the championship fights set for Noche UFC at the Sphere, should there be a late-notice withdrawal.

The organization will stage its second celebration of Mexican Independence Day on September 14 following the success of the inaugural event in 2023. Las Vegas will once again play host, but the Octagon will be in extremely different surroundings.

Instead of the T-Mobile Arena, the 2024 edition of Noche UFC (UFC 306) is set to go down inside the Sphere. For months, UFC CEO Dana White has vowed to put on a sporting spectacle like nothing seen before.

Tasked with delivering fireworks inside the cage will be the four headliners, who will look to exit the Sphere with gold in their possession. That’s bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili in the main event, while flyweight queen Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko are set to complete their trilogy in the co-headliner.

Injuries and illness forcing late-notice cancellations is never ideal, not least for an event of this magnitude. With that in mind, many have suggested that backups will likely be sought for the two bouts at the top of the lineup.

And by the sounds of things, one is locked in…

Fiorot Expected To Serve As Backup For Grasso vs. Shevchenko 3

During a recent interview with Boxemag, coach Aldric Cassata claimed that the #2-ranked Manon Fiorot has been “officially” confirmed as the backup fighter for Grasso vs. Shevchenko 3 on Sept. 14.

Should her services not be required on fight night after making championship weight, the trainer suggested “The Beast” will have the chance to cash in on her earned title shot by facing the winner either at the end of this year or early 2025.

“Manon is officially backup for the belt; she will be in Vegas,” Cassata said (h/t MMA Mania). “If there is no injury (to Grasso or Shevchenko), I think the (title fight) will be at the end of the year or the beginning of next year.”

Fiorot put herself in prime position for a first championship opportunity on MMA’s biggest stage by getting the better of the highly regarded Erin Blanchfield in the main event of the Atlantic City-held UFC Fight Night this past March.

That result moved the Frenchwoman to a 7-0 record in the UFC, following decision triumphs over the likes of Tabatha Ricci, Mayra Bueno Silva, Katlyn Cerminara, and Rose Namajunas.

It remains to be seen whether Fiorot will need to don the custom, Mexico-inspired fight kits to compete at the Sphere this fall. If not, it would appear that the Sept. 14 victor already has their next opponent set.

Continue Reading Backup Fighter Apparently Set For Title Bout At Sphere-Held Noche UFC On September 14 at MMA News.