On the night from Saturday to Sunday, Nice native Manon Fiorot will face Valentina Shevchenko at the Bell Centre in Montreal. If she wins, she will become the first Frenchwoman to be the undisputed UFC champion. A historic event for her and French MMA.
It’s the big day. At the Bell Centre in Montreal, Manon Fiorot is getting ready to compete in the most important fight of her career. At 35, the fighter from Nice is aiming for the UFC flyweight title. Opposing her is a formidable adversary: Valentina Shevchenko. A highly esteemed name in the industry, the Kyrgyz holds the women’s record for title defenses in the organization with seven consecutive victories.
This fight, eagerly anticipated by MMA fans, is part of the co-main event of UFC 315. It will be broadcast live from 4 AM on RMC Sport 1, with Manon Fiorot expected to enter the cage at around 5:15 AM.
The stakes are twofold. On one hand, it’s the opportunity for the Nice native to claim the title and inscribe her name in the organization’s archives. On the other hand, it marks a turning point for mixed martial arts in France, which are still in their early stages of public recognition. After two unsuccessful attempts by Ciryl Gane, it’s up to Manon Fiorot, aka “The Beast”, to take on the challenging task of securing a world title.
Meticulous preparation and prolonged anticipation
This fight wasn’t easy to secure. Over a year of discussions, uncertainties, and waiting were necessary to make the match happen. Manon Fiorot experienced it as another phase in her growth. “I was a standby for her last title defense, I wasn’t inactive. I could be at the cage side to watch her fight, which gained me experience”, she explained calmly, just days before her departure for Canada.
To prepare for this event, she relied on the constant support of her partner and coach, Aldric Cassata. Together since her beginnings in professional MMA, they form a strong, discreet, but effective duo. “I’ll be candid, at the end of September, early October 2024, I was nervous. But I quickly saw that the schedule was in our favor”, stated Aldric Cassata.
The tension surrounding the fight organization pushed the team to be very active on social media. Manon Fiorot sent multiple messages to directly address Valentina Shevchenko, who had been evasive about the identity of her next opponent. “We know the UFC likes trash talk. So, I thought it was the right time. I knew that by provoking her, she would respond”, declared Manon Fiorot.
Though the months of waiting were long, they also allowed for a clear analysis of the opponent’s profile. The Nice native doesn’t hesitate to share her analysis: “She is one of the greatest champions in the UFC. She already was when I arrived. At the beginning, she was really ahead, but less so now. She has become very comprehensive over time.”
A path built step by step
Manon Fiorot is not a newcomer. Since 2021, she has been competing in the UFC. With each appearance, she has successfully advanced. Her last victory, in September 2023 in Paris against Rose Namajunas, confirmed her rise. She then defeated Erin Blanchfield, at home, in a more hostile environment.
Discreet outside the cage, the Nice native doesn’t seek the spotlight. But she knows where she wants to go. “Since I joined the UFC in 2021, it was my goal. To reach this milestone, I have crossed the steps one after another. May 10th will be just another one.”
This fight is also the fulfillment of a personal commitment. A promise made to her father, who passed away ten years ago. This invisible thread isn’t highlighted often. But it’s there, structuring her journey and fueling her determination.
On paper, Shevchenko remains an iconic figure in women’s MMA. But for the first time, she is not the favorite. Manon Fiorot, in her role as a challenger, is aware of this and remains confident: “I think I have faced better opponents than she has, and I’m confident. I have dominated the entire category, only the belt is missing.”
In the arena, amid the 20,000 spectators at the Bell Centre, she will have to ignore the context. Focus on the moves rehearsed in training. And try to seize this rare opportunity, which could mark a before and after for French MMA.
