Valentina Shevchenko successfully defended her flyweight championship at UFC 315, defeating Manon Fiorot by unanimous decision in the co-main event.
While the fight included some tightly contested moments, Shevchenko inflicted significant damage early, notably breaking Fiorot`s nose with a powerful punch in the first round. She further solidified her lead by scoring a crucial knockdown in the fourth round. Despite a determined effort from Fiorot, Shevchenko proved too formidable over five rounds, with all three judges scoring the bout 48-47 in her favor.
Following her victory, Shevchenko commented, “I was expecting a very hard fight. Manon, she’s a hard opponent, a good striker. Everything we did to get ready for the fight, I was able to do. [I’ll] keep going. It’s like numbers are nothing. It’s about how you feel mentally and physically.”
Fiorot initiated the fight aggressively, but Shevchenko effectively used counter-strikes. A quick counter led to the significant blow that broke Fiorot`s nose and caused considerable bleeding. This prompted Fiorot to briefly seek a takedown for a reset.
Despite efforts to manage her injury between rounds, Fiorot was visibly bothered by her nose throughout the fight. She successfully defended some of Shevchenko`s takedown attempts and engaged in striking exchanges.
Fiorot managed to secure a takedown of her own, pressing Shevchenko against the cage and controlling her on the ground briefly. Towards the end of a round, Fiorot landed an illegal knee, though Shevchenko was able to defend herself partially. Referee Marc Goddard issued a stern warning for the foul.
Adapting to Fiorot`s adjustments, Shevchenko focused on establishing her jab from a distance and staying wary of potential takedowns. When Fiorot closed the distance, she began targeting the body with knees instead of solely relying on wrestling.
Shevchenko landed a spinning backfist, but Fiorot continued attempting to get inside for takedowns before the round concluded.
Entering the championship rounds, the fight remained competitive, requiring Shevchenko to increase her activity. This led to a well-timed spinning back kick to Fiorot`s body as she continued her forward pressure, a consistent strategy throughout the bout.
The fourth round saw a major turning point when Shevchenko connected with another sharp counter right hand, sending Fiorot to the canvas. Shevchenko followed up with ground strikes, clearly shifting the momentum in her favor.
Shevchenko`s effective counter-striking continued to pay off, including another spinning back fist that caught Fiorot as she advanced. Though seemingly behind, Fiorot persisted in seeking the clinch, but Shevchenko consistently made her pay when she had space to strike.
Ultimately, Shevchenko`s consistent offensive pressure prevented Fiorot from finding a sustained rhythm. The champion`s key moments of damage and the knockdown secured her victory, allowing her to retain her title and reinforce her status as one of the greatest flyweights in UFC history.
At 37, Shevchenko shows no signs of slowing down, continuing to defeat top contenders and add to her already impressive, Hall of Fame-worthy career.
