Valentina Shevchenko enters her second women's flyweight reign with a point to prove. She faces surging French contender Manon Fiorot at the UFC 315 co-main event.
Shevchenko dominated Alexa Grasso in their trilogy bout at UFC 306, using her wrestling to shut down the narrative that she was slowing down. Her movement was sharp, timing crisp, and the performance reminded the division that 'Bullet' can still fire against world-class competition. She’s now 10-1-1 at 125 pounds and gearing up to generate a statement-making effort against Fiorot.
But Fiorot has been on a roll herself. She holds seven wins in seven UFC appearances, with a win streak stretching back twelve fights. She’s a high-volume striker with strength to match her speed and a game that looks built to frustrate the champ. Her control in the clinch and takedown defense could be the key to pulling off an upset win.
UFC 315: Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena airs Saturday, May 10. Early prelims kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+, with the main card live at 10 p.m. ET on PPV.
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Round 1
Fiorot gets caught with a short right hook as she tries to penetrate the range. Fiorot is trying to get inside range and overwhelm Shevchenko with her size advantage. Shevchenko has done a great job of stinging Fiorot every time she gets in her range. The right hook from Shevchenko is money! Side kicks from Fiorot as she eats a right hand again. Fiorot is bleeding badly from the nose as Shevchenko keeps clipping her with the right hand. The right hand landed flush on the bridge of Fiorot's nose. Shevchenko takes Fiorot down. Dominant round from the champion so far. Fiorot needs a strategy revision if she wants to turn the tide of the fight.
Our Score: 10-9 Shevchenko
Round 2
Fiorot initiates the clinch, and Shevchenko initiates a two-on-one defense. Beautiful work by the champion. Spin kick to the body from Shevchenko. Shevchenko is finding great success with her right hand by just countering every time Fiorot gets in range. Fiorot does a fantastic job stuffing Shevchenko's takedown. Fiorot changes level now and launches a few knees on the back of Shevchenko's legs. Solid strategy from her to tire out the champion. Nice elbow on the break from Fiorot. A much more competitive round as Fiorot forces another level change. She takes Shevchenko down and imposes her strength on her.
Our Score: 10-9 Fiorot (19-19 overall)
Round 3
Fiorot is attacking the legs and almost misses with a right high kick. They are going speed for speed in a brief fiery exchange. Feint with the right body kick and double jabs from Fiorot. Commendable effort by Fiorot bouncing back from the deficit in the first round. She initiates a clinch now, but Shevchenko is leveraging all her experience to keep the fight standing. Strong kick to the midsection from Fiorot. Well-timed spinning attack from Shevchenko and Fiorot immediately shoots for a takedown. Shevchenko defends it, but Fiorot is latched onto her back.
Our Score: 10-9 Fiorot (29-28 overall)
Round 4
Shevchenko counters Fiorot's jabs with a perfectly timed spinning kick. Fiorot shrugs off the attack and gets back to the body clinch. She's got the seatbelt position but yields it to her opponent's brilliant defense. Beautiful knee on the break from Fiorot. Quick feet by Shevchenko, but Fiorot's pressure could be the differentiator in this contest. Another well-timed spinning attack from Shevchenko. Beautiful job by Shevchenko to take Fiorot down, but she gets right back up. Shevchenko lands a counter right hand flush that knocks down Fiorot. Best punch of the fight!
Our Score: 10-9 Shevchenko (38-38 overall)
Round 5
Fiorot need an explosive moment in this round if she wants to win the fight. Counter right hand lands for Shevchenko. Fiorot needs to make this an ugly contest for the remainder of the three minutes. Level change from the champion, but Fiorot reverses the position and gets the better of the exchange. Quick short right hands from Shevchenko and Firot fires back with vigor. She's spending a lot of time in the clinch. One-two from Fiorot, and she invites a wild exchange.
Our Score: 10-9 Shevchenko (48-47 overall)
Official Result
Valentina Shevchenko defeats Manon Fiorot via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, and 48-47)