Manon Fiorot makes her anticipated return to the Octagon this weekend in a flyweight co-main event against Rose Namajunas.
The UFC makes it’s return to Paris this weekend and amongst a host of homegrown talent is Nice born Manon Fiorot. Fiorot has been flying the flag for women’s MMA in France since 2018 and this weekend has a fight on home turf against the former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas.
Rose Namajunas is coming up to flyweight after losing her belt to Carla Esparza in May of 2022. Manon is coming off a decision victory against Katelyn Chookagian in October of 2022. The winner could be looking at a title shot against either Alexa Grasso or Valentina Shevchenko depending on the result of their rematch in September.
Manon Fiorot: The Story So Far
From fighting a the IMMAF European Championships to the UFC Manon has made a statement wherever she has fought. with a record of 10-1 it’s clear that she can fight at the highest level, her only professional loss coming at the hands of Leah McCourt in Cage Warriors back in 2019, that being a split decision. Since then she has gone on a 10 fight win streak, 5 coming in the UFC.
The standout from Fiorots resume is the level of fighters that she’s faced since joining the promotion. In her last 2 fights she’s beaten former title challengers in Katelyn Chookagian and Jennifer Maia, both by unanimous decision. Within her run she’s also beaten the now bantamweight contender Mayra Bueno Silva. Proving that Manon not only belongs in the UFC but has the ability to be a champion in the divison.
Will Manon Change Styles against ‘Thug’ Rose
Manon fights out of a southpaw style and comes from a boxing background. In her most recent fight against Chookagian she caused her lots of problems with the jab and left straight. Katelyn didn’t have an answer with the punches and struggled with the front foot style of Fiorot.
A potential weapon that Manon could look to use against Rose is the level to which she mixes up her striking. Manon goes to the head 33%, body 34% and legs 33%, showing that Manon is capable of attacking multiple targets throughout the fight.
With Rose relying so heavily on her ability to move in and our of range and a speed, Manon attacking the legs could really take that strength away. After taking away the movement can then land her shots, she has a 53% shot accuracy (the same as Valentina Shevchenko) which is high for the division.
Manon has hinted at a change in style, in a recent interview with MMA Junkie she talked about her wrestling:
“After my surgery I worked on my left knee too. And now I really can say I’m 100% on both legs. So I can wrestle more, and wrestling now is in a good condition, I can do both. I really want to show everyone I can do both. I want to show everything.”
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In conclusion, could we see a change of style from Fiorot? Or will she use her usual striking game plan and try to take away Rose’ movement?
This is no doubt a massive fight for both, will the added pressure of the home crowd give Manon Fiorot the advantage or will the occasion get to her? Tune into UFC Paris this weekend to find out. To read our piece on her opponent Rose Namajunas click here.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
