Latest news with #ManonFiorot
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Valentina Shevchenko suspects title defense against fellow UFC champ Zhang Weili next
After a closely contested decision win to open her second reign as UFC women's flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko thinks a superfight might be next. Shevchenko (25-4-1 MMA, 14-3-1 UFC) outworked challenger Manon Fiorot (12-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) a little more than three weeks ago at UFC 315 in Toronto in the co-main event. She won with a trio of 48-47 scores. It wasn't immediately clear after the win whom her next challenger would be. Advertisement Saturday, while in Las Vegas, Shevchenko could have gotten a little clarity with the UFC on ESPN 68 main event between Erin Blanchfield and Maycee Barber – until Barber pulled out moments before her walkout, effectively ditching herself from the conversation. Before Shevchenko beat Fiorot, Natalia Silva knocked Alexa Grasso down the ladder. So there is Silva, and there is Blanchfield – but Shevchenko also thinks when the time comes to figure out what's next, the name could be from another division. Shevchenko thinks strawweight champ Zhang Weili (26-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) has designs on a move up to 125 pounds for a shot at the belt, and that's the fight she thinks is most realistic. "Flyweight right now is the most exciting weight class – so many good and talented fighters," Shevchenko said on the post-fight show after the UFC on ESPN 68 broadcast. "But from the other side, you can see the champion. She built up her career. She deserves so much because of her title defenses. I feel at this point, she deserves this fight. Everyone deserves it." Advertisement After a two-fight run of losses to Rose Namajunas in title fights, Weili has five straight wins. She had one defense in 2023 against Amanda Lemos, one in 2024 against Yan Xiaonan and one earlier this year at UFC 312 against Tatiana Suarez. Virna Jandiroba put herself in position to get a title shot in April with her fifth straight win, and she's one name Shevchenko doesn't have on her resume yet. But the idea of fighting Weili ultimately might be hard to resist – though Shevchenko stressed she'll wait until she's fully recovered from her win over Fiorot and ready to start a camp before she'll fully dive into preparing for anyone. "Weili has the same passion for martial arts (as me) and has this mindset of 'no matter what happens' – not fame or whatever," Shevchenko said. "She's very loyal and feels good about mixed martial arts. This is what I like about her. It's the same as I am, the feeling for martial arts itself. I'm hearing from my fans this is what they want to see." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC champ Valentina Shevchenko willing to fight Zhang Weili next
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Erin Blanchfield, Maycee Barber react to Valentina Shevchenko's title win vs. Manon Fiorot
Erin Blanchfield, Maycee Barber react to Valentina Shevchenko's title win vs. Manon Fiorot Erin Blanchfield and Maycee Barber weren't entirely surprised by Valentina Shevchenko's win over Manon Fiorot. Shevchenko retained her flyweight title earlier this month by outlasting Manon Fiorot in the UFC 315 co-main event. Blanchfield (13-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) and Barber (14-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC), who square off in Saturday's UFC on ESPN 68 (ESPN, ESPN+) headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, weighed in on the outcome of the fight. With a win, both fighters are looking to secure the next shot at Shevchenko (25-4-1 MMA, 14-3-1 UFC). "I think Valentina looked really good that night," Blanchfield told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday's media day. "She looked right back to her old self. She kept her distance, she was countering really well. I think Manon was kind of coming in a little bit harder. "Usually she's more of a point fighter, uses a lot of movement. But Valentina was almost luring her into her game. Valentina was just out-striking her. Manon would get some takedowns, but she couldn't really do too much with it, and I felt like Valentina was really dictating that fight." Barber said she expected the outcome as it happened. "It was close," Barber said. "I didn't have a lot of emotion towards it just because I've been so focused on the fight that I have, but I think that Manon is a great fighter. I don't think she has a whole lot of championship personality, but I also didn't really have any surprise that Valentina continued to do what she's been able to do best, and that's have dominant performances over these women."
USA Today
26-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Manon Fiorot undeterred by UFC title loss to Valentina Shevchenko: 'The dream is alive'
Manon Fiorot undeterred by UFC title loss to Valentina Shevchenko: 'The dream is alive' Manon Fiorot won't give up on her title hopes after UFC 315. Fiorot (12-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) lost a competitive unanimous decision to UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko (25-4-1 MMA, 14-3-1 UFC) earlier this month at Bell Centre in Montreal. The setback marked her first in the octagon, but Fiorot vows to come back stronger. "It just wasn't my day," Fiorot said in an Instagram post. "A close fight, but no breakthrough. And even though it hurts, I know one thing: Everything happens for a reason. With experience, I've learned to trust. God has a plan. You have to accept, move forward, and keep fighting, my life is a series of challenges. But one thing is certain: I come back stronger every time. And through it all, I've realized something essential: I am far from alone. I have incredible friends who became family. An amazing husband. A loyal team - there in the highs and the lows. "My mom and my sister, my biggest supporters. My cousin, who's like a brother – always there in the hardest moments, with the right words to lift me up. And all of you, sending me strength despite everything. Thank you, truly. I want to keep inspiring, and it starts with one thing: never giving up. The road to success is tough, but it belongs to those who never quit. A thought for my dad: I know he's proud. Proud of all I've accomplished – and it's far from over. We're going to do this. The dream is alive. Nothing is lost. This is just one chapter." Prior to losing to Shevchenko, Fiorot was coming off of wins over former champion Rose Namajunas, and top contender Erin Blanchfield. The 35-year-old French fighter hadn't lost since dropping her first professional bout in June 2018.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
UFC 315 'Embedded,' No. 1: Belal Muhammad's fight week meals look like zero punishment
The UFC is back in Montreal for the first time in 10 years for UFC 315, its fifth pay-per-view of the calendar year, and the popular "Embedded" fight week video series is here to document what's happening behind the scenes. In the headliner, welterweight champion Belal Muhammad (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) puts his title on the line for the first time when he takes on challenger Jack Della Maddalena (17-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC). In the co-feature, two-time women's flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko (24-4-1 MMA, 13-3-1 UFC) puts the belt up against Manon Fiorot (12-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC), who is favored in the fight as the challenger. Advertisement The first episode of "Embedded" follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC's description of the episode from YouTube: UFC 315 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Bell Centre in Montreal. This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 315 Embedded video No. 1: Behind the scenes in Montreal
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC 315 'Embedded,' No. 3: Belal Muhammad, Ian Machado Garry have a respectful exchange
The UFC is back in Montreal for the first time in 10 years for UFC 315, its fifth pay-per-view of the calendar year, and the popular "Embedded" fight week video series is here to document what's happening behind the scenes. UFC 315 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) takes place Saturday at Bell Centre in Montreal. Advertisement In the headliner, welterweight champion Belal Muhammad (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) puts his title on the line for the first time when he takes on challenger Jack Della Maddalena (17-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC). In the co-feature, two-time women's flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko (24-4-1 MMA, 13-3-1 UFC) puts the belt up against Manon Fiorot (12-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC), who is favored in the fight as the challenger. The third episode of "Embedded" follows the featured fighters while they get ready for fight week. Here is the UFC's description of the episode from YouTube: Champ Valentina Shevhcneko faces off against Manon Fiorot; Champ Belal Muhammad trains at Tristar; Aiemann Zahabi gets a new suit; Manon Fiorot tests her timing and balance; Mike Malott grapples at Niagara Top Team; UFC 315 athletes begin their fight week check ins. Previous UFC 315 'Embedded' episodes This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 315 Embedded 3: Belal Muhammad, Ian Machado Garry show respect
