Manon Fiorot thinks it’s time she got her title shot.
Despite the controversial outcome in this past Saturday’s Noche UFC headliner between flyweight champion Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko, Fiorot (11-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) wants her opportunity at the belt.
Grasso (16-3-1 MMA, 8-3-1 UFC) retained her belt after battling Shevchenko (23-4-1 MMA, 12-3-1 UFC) to a split draw, which has already kickstarted trilogy talks. Fiorot says Grasso had the more significant moments in the fight, and with Shevchenko injuring her thumb in Round 1, Fiorot thinks it makes sense for her to fight Grasso while Shevchenko recovers.
“I watched the fight, and for me it was a very close fight,” Fiorot told MMA Junkie. “Neither impressed me, but Alexa was closer to finishing the fight. Valentina herself said that she’s injured and that she wishes to recover. Grasso got her chance when I was injured, so now it’s my turn. (My wins over Tabatha) Ricci, (Mayra) Bueno Silva, (Jennifer) Maia, (Katlyn) Chookagian, (Rose) Namajunas isn’t enough?”
Also calling for a title shot is Erin Blanchfield, who like Fiorot is 6-0 in the octagon. Blanchfield is coming off a win over former title challenger Taila Santos, whereas Fiorot recently beat former champion Namajunas.
Fiorot emerged as a No. 1 contender when she beat Katlyn Chookagian last October at UFC 280, but was sidelined after tearing her ACL and undergoing surgery. Grasso got the call instead, and ended up dethroning Shevchenko to become champion at UFC 285, then retaining her title in their rematch this past Saturday which was ruled a split draw.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Noche UFC.
