Manon Fiorot Names Opponent Preference Between Alexa Grasso & Valentina Shevchenko, Predicts Noche UFC Main Event

This past weekend was a big one for UFC women’s flyweight contender Manon Fiorot, who furthered her standing in the division with a crucial victory over a notable newcomer.

In the UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Spivac co-main event, Fiorot made the walk to compete in front of her compatriots at Paris’ Accor Arena. There, she met the challenge of former two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas.

While “Thug Rose” was looking to immediately insert herself into the title picture at 125 pounds, “The Beast” stalled those plans by adding Namajunas to a list of victims that also includes Katlyn Chookagian, Jennifer Maia, and Mayra Bueno Silva.

With the unanimous decision victory, the #3-ranked contender’s undefeated UFC record now sits at 6-0. And in spite of Erin Blanchfield’s form, Fiorot is confident that she’s next in line for a shot at gold.

Should that be the case, the Frenchwoman will share the Octagon with either champion Alexa Grasso or ex-titleholder Valentina Shevchenko, who will run it back in the Noche UFC headliner next weekend.

While Fiorot knows which woman she’d rather face, she doesn’t expect that to come to fruition.

Fiorot Wants Shevchenko, Expects Grasso

During an interview with MMA Junkie prior to her triumph over Namajunas on Saturday, Fiorot looked ahead to the matchup that could decide her next opponent in the UFC.

When asked whether she has a preference for whom she’ll challenge in her first championship opportunity, Fiorot noted her longtime desire to throw down with Shevchenko.

But having witnessed her controversial decision win over Taila Santos last June and subsequent dethroning at the hands of Grasso this past March, the Frenchwoman is picking against “Bullet.”

“I’ve always wanted to fight Valentina. So, to be honest, it would be amazing,” Fiorot said. “But I believe, if I (look at her) previous performances, that maybe Grasso wins. So, we’ll see, but I don’t think it will be the way I want it.

“It depends on her (Shevchenko’s) way to prepare herself for this fight… If she will prepare (correctly), she can win. But I don’t know how she will be,” Fiorot continued. “For me, with the information I have from the previous fights, I think she may lose.”

Fiorot will no doubt have a close eye on proceedings next weekend, when Grasso and Shevchenko top the UFC’s Mexican Independence Day-celebrating card inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

But before focusing on a date in the cage opposite the winner, “The Beast” must still make a strong enough case to receive the chance at glory over Blanchfield should the promotion not decide to place the two contenders against one another.

Calling for a title shot next!@ManonFiorot_MMA looking for the winner of Grasso vs Shevchenko 2 after that #UFCParis performance pic.twitter.com/GYgdOOfdQn

— UFC (@ufc) September 2, 2023

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