Manon Fiorot aims to ‘be like Khabib,’ retire without losing in UFC

Go forward and name her Nate Diaz, as a result of Manon Fiorot was not stunned within the slightest by how effortlessly she shut down Erin Blanchfield at UFC Atlantic Metropolis.

“It was a straightforward battle to arrange for,” Fiorot mentioned by means of a translator on The MMA Hour.

“To be sincere, it was the battle I anticipated. Maybe, in my thoughts, it was [going to be] more durable than this battle, however I actually suppose this battle [was matched up stylistically in my favor] after I give it some thought, and that was the battle you noticed Saturday.”

Fiorot, 34, dominated Blanchfield from pillar to publish to earn a lopsided unanimous determination in Saturday’s fundamental occasion and change into the primary girl within the UFC to beat the American. Blanchfield had beforehand racked up six consecutive wins to start out her octagon run and was being usually hailed as a future champion of the ladies’s flyweight ranks, however Fiorot shut down her grappling assault and simply outclassed on her the ft to drag off the upset.

The win put Fiorot at an ideal 7-0 underneath the UFC umbrella and cemented her because the unquestioned No. 1 contender at 125 kilos, nonetheless her future stays unsure due to the division’s hazy timeline — UFC champion Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko are slated to teach The Final Fighter 32 this summer time, with a trilogy bout anticipated to be booked someday for the third or fourth quarter of the yr.

Fiorot isn’t concerned with ready round.

“To be sincere, I can battle anyone within the division for a belt, an interim belt,” Fiorot mentioned. “However maybe I can do the backup [role] for the title battle too. For now, I don’t know, however I actually wish to be energetic and I actually wish to battle for a belt.

“I actually suppose I deserve that title shot, however I don’t wish to wait one yr and I actually wish to be energetic, so now we now have to debate with UFC and we’ll see.”

Fiorot’s ascent is yet one more spotlight of the latest rise of French MMA. Her spectacular UFC run consists of wins over one-time title challengers Mayra Bueno Silva, Jennifer Maia, and Katlyn Cerminara, in addition to a hard-fought victory over two-time champ Rose Namajunas.

Fiorot mentioned Wednesday that she takes inspiration from former UFC light-weight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and needs to “be like Khabib” by retiring with no UFC losses. It’s a part of the explanation she fights as rigorously as she does, which has led to the one actual criticism of her UFC profession — her previous 5 wins have all gone to choices.

“Once I take into consideration my profession, I actually take into consideration legacy,” Fiorot mentioned. “I do know a variety of nice champs battle like that [and don’t] take a variety of dangers, and I actually wish to win and get the title. And maybe after I change into champion, I’ll take extra dangers, however for now I simply wish to win.”

Fiorot focused the UFC’s rumored return to Paris in September as a possible touchdown spot for her subsequent bout. She is aware of the thriller of her subsequent opponent is a harder query to reply contemplating her circumstances, nonetheless she expects to finally face each of the ladies concerned within the present title trilogy earlier than all is alleged and executed.

“Once I arrived within the UFC, Valentina was undefeated within the division. And after I take into consideration a dream battle, it’s Valentina, for positive,” Fiorot mentioned. “However for now she misplaced towards Alexa, so I don’t have a choice, however I actually suppose I’ve to battle each. And if I battle one for the title, I’ve to defend the title towards the opposite, so I believe I’ve to win towards each.”