Manon Fiorot has mapped out a plan to a UFC women’s flyweight title shot.
Fiorot (9-1, 4-0 UFC), who’s coming off a big win over former title challenger Jennifer Maia at UFC on ESPN 33 in March, wants to notch two more victories before challenging flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko. Initially, Fiorot called out Katlyn Chookagian in her post-fight interview, but after Chookagian was booked against Amanda Ribas, the 32-year-old has diverted her attention to Alexa Grasso.
“I’m No. 6, Alexa is No. 5, so I’m pretty sure it’s the fight to make,” Fiorot told MMA Junkie. “I hope the UFC can make this fight in July, and I think it’s the fight to make because after that I can call out Katlyn for September or October, and that’s the correct way for Valentina.”
She continued, “I don’t just want a shot at Valentina. I want to fight and win against her. So I think with two more fights, I’ll be more experienced, and my confidence will be 100 percent that I can win this fight with a good show.”
Although Grasso showed off some of her ground game in her first-round submission of Joanne Wood at UFC on ESPN 33, the Mexican fighter is known for her boxing. But Fiorot thinks she would have the edge wherever the fight goes.
“I really want to fight against her in the stand up,” Fiorot said. “I think my stand up is better, I think my wrestling is better. I think I can fight against her on the ground, so yeah, it’s a good fight for me. I think she has really good boxing, but I’m the better striker.”
She continued, “First, I really want to strike against her to show my skills and to prove to everybody that I’m the better striker, but if she wants to grapple and wrestle with me, I can take her down and finish the fight on the ground too.”