Valentina Shevchenko Wants to Teach Manon Fiorot Manners

The business of sports is something Manon Fiorot and Valentina Shevchenko both understand well. That is why their recent social media exchange serves many purposes. Fiorot, a rising French superstar, isn’t happy, according to MMAfighting latest news, that she hasn’t been booked for a shot at Shevchenko’s flyweight title.
Shevchenko recently won the belt back from Alexa Grasso and believes she deserves some time to celebrate her victory. But the UFC and other promotions can’t wait to book fighters in their next challenge. Shevchenko has no major rivals that should detract from the next worthy challenger who gets an opportunity.
While there is always a chance Shevchenko may attempt to go up in weight, her style isn’t necessarily suited to adding more weight. During recent fights, Shevchenko has started to show her age. Shevchenko is still an excellent fighter but will want to make the most of the fights she has left.
Will Fiorot become Shevchenko’s next major challenger?
Loser Leaves Town Match
The UFC has typically attempted to avoid drawing too many comparisons to professional wrestling. MMA news websites do show, however, that when fighters attempt to build hype for a fight, it’s hard not to sound like WWE wrestlers cutting a promo. To try and draw Shevchenko into signing a contract to fight, Fiorot sent out a message to her on X to stop making people wait and to sign a contract to fight so Fiorot could help her retire.
Shevchenko responded by saying she took offense and that Fiorot should be willing to retire if she also loses. Fiorot was amused by this suggestion and agreed to sign the contract if Shevchenko was willing. She also called Shevchenko a teacher’s pet.
It was a heated exchange for two fighters who don’t have that much history together.
Grasso Didn’t Earn the Rematch

Shevchenko put a lot of doubts about her skill level to rest by dominating Grasso at UFC Noche II. Throughout the fight, Shevchenko scored takedown after takedown. Grasso didn’t appear to be the fighter who had upset Shevchenko and earned a draw in their first two meetings.
It was such a lopsided result that there wasn’t much appetite for a rematch, according to MMA breaking news. Shevchenko has taken on all of the toughest challenges in her career. During her time in MMA, she had two fights with former champion Amanda Nunes, but both ended in defeat. Shevchenko also has wins over Joanna Jędrzejczyk, a former champion, and current bantamweight champion Julianna Peña.
Fiorot is Still Relatively New

Fiorot didn’t have many opportunities to break into MMA. Fiorot, a native of France, lived in a country where the sport was illegal until just a few years ago. Fiorot, however, excelled at more than one sport.
She excelled at kickboxing and Muay Thai, and developing that base allowed her to transition quickly to MMA. After just six professional fights, Fiorot made it to the UFC. Fiorot’s only loss in her career came in her first fight with Bellator fighter Leah McCourt.
During her time in the UFC, Fiorot has proven that she is more than capable of fighting for the title. She has piled up wins over Mayra Bueno Silva, Erin Blanchfield, and Rose Namajunas. Namajunas is a former championship fighter, Bueno Silva is a former title challenger, and Blanchfield is a top-rated fighter.
Women’s Divisions Could Use Some Heat
The UFC has never really replaced Ronda Rousey. While there have been plenty of outstanding championship fighters in the women’s divisions, especially Nunes and Shevchenko, they haven’t captured the global audience like Rousey. Part of the struggle to replace Rousey is that she was a novelty.
While there have been other top women’s fighters, like Cris Cyborg, there haven’t been too many marketable stars with strong amateur athletic backgrounds entering the UFC. Before Rousey reached the UFC, the promotion’s CEO, Dana White, had often said he would never have women fighters.
But Rousey changed that. Part of why Rousey excelled where Nunes and Shevchenko haven’t quite reached that level is based on nationality. Because the UFC’s biggest audience is in the United States, having a star like Rousey who could relate to the fans made a big difference.
If Not Fiorot, Then Who?
The biggest name signed to the UFC roster who would make sense for an interesting fight other than Fiorot would be Kayla Harrison. While Harrison has yet to challenge for the bantamweight crown, there is little doubt that she will get the next opportunity. Harrison is a former Olympic gold medalist who was a champion in the PFL.
The best MMA news sites show that Harrison was underwhelmed during her last fight but has the all-around game to trouble Shevchenko. Going up in weight to fight the already big Harrison may not be appealing to Shevchenko. Taking on Blanchfield isn’t a possibility because of her loss to Fiorot.
If Shevchenko wants to stay at flyweight, she will have to defend her title against Fiorot. There is a chance Shevchenko may look to retire with a win. But one thing is for sure; she won’t be likely to want her career to end with a loss to Fiorot.
Fiorot and Shevchenko are both exciting fighters. The UFC needs to get them in the octagon together to sort out their heat. The fighters have already laid the foundation with the smack talk. It’s up to the organization to get them to agree to fight.
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By Dean McHugh.