Valentina Shevchenko secured another successful title defense in the co-main event of UFC 315, overcoming Manon Fiorot in a hard-fought bout.
Though some rounds were closely contested, Shevchenko inflicted significant damage. A powerful punch in the first round broke Fiorot`s nose, and a knockdown in the fourth round solidified her lead on the scorecards. Despite a tough challenge from Fiorot, Shevchenko proved too formidable over five rounds, earning a unanimous decision victory 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 aggressively, but Shevchenko responded with a sharp counter-punch that immediately got Fiorot`s attention. Shevchenko displayed rapid strikes, compelling Fiorot to adjust her strategy after absorbing multiple solid right hands.
Another precise right hand landed, causing Fiorot`s nose to bleed heavily. Shortly after, she was taken down by the champion. While Shevchenko didn`t inflict further damage on the ground, Fiorot clearly needed to recover after a difficult beginning to the bout.
Even after cleaning up between rounds, Fiorot frequently touched her nose, indicating its continued discomfort. She successfully defended a takedown attempt from Shevchenko and pushed back to resume striking in the center of the octagon.
Fiorot then executed her own takedown, pressing Shevchenko against the cage and maintaining ground control. Just before the round ended, Fiorot threw an illegal knee, but Shevchenko managed to block it with her arms.
Referee Marc Goddard subsequently issued a stern warning to Fiorot regarding the illegal strike.
Responding to Fiorot`s adjustments, Shevchenko focused on establishing her jab from a distance while staying vigilant for potential takedowns. When Fiorot closed the distance, she opted for body knees instead of relying solely on wrestling, aiming to keep Shevchenko guessing.
Shevchenko landed what appeared to be a spinning backfist, but Fiorot still managed to get inside and attempt another takedown before the round concluded.
As the fight entered the championship rounds, Fiorot kept the contest competitive, forcing Shevchenko to increase her activity. This led to a perfectly timed spinning back kick to Fiorot`s body as she continued her forward pressure, a strategy she employed for much of the fight.
Towards the end of the fourth round, Shevchenko connected with another sharp counter right hand, sending the challenger to the canvas. She followed up with ground strikes, shifting the momentum significantly in her direction.
Shevchenko`s counter-striking remained effective, including another spinning back fist that landed powerfully as Fiorot advanced. Despite the fight appearing to slip away, Fiorot persistently sought the clinch but failed to secure a takedown. Shevchenko consistently made her pay whenever she had space to operate.
Ultimately, Shevchenko`s superior offensive output prevented Fiorot from finding her rhythm, ensuring the championship remained with one of the greatest flyweights in UFC history.
At 37 years old, Shevchenko continues to defeat top contenders, showing no signs of slowing down and adding more accolades to her potentially Hall of Fame career.
