The stakes were high: a flyweight title opportunity. And she assured. On this night from Saturday to Sunday, in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Manon Fiorot won by unanimous decision against the American Erin Blanchfield, and should soon face the Mexican Alexa Grasso for the UFC belt . In control, the Frenchwoman perfectly managed and countered her opponent's offensives, winning all five rounds (50-45 for the three judges).
However, the fight could have been short. While attempting a first takedown at the start of the first round, the Frenchwoman was countered and found herself stuck in a guillotine, from which she finally managed to escape. More comfortable in the standing combat sequences, thanks in particular to her reach and her karatekate background, the Niçoise nevertheless managed to win this initial round, ideally launching her fight.
🇫🇷🔥 YESIIIII! What a MASTERCLASS from Manon Fiorot who rode on Blanchfield in this world semi-final and who won by decision! Gorgeous !
🔜🏆 The next one to fight for the title will be her! pic.twitter.com/nHLi961MNx
— RMC Sport Combat (@RMCSportCombat) March 31, 2024
But Erin Blanchfield is dangerous, very dangerous. Unimpressed, the New Jersey native, who fought at home in front of an audience entirely committed to her cause, continually sought to get closer to her opponent, even if it meant taking counterattacks from the right. However, she was not able to use her great strength, the ground fight, Manon Fiorot having perfectly prepared her defense techniques to avoid being involved in this sector of the fight.
Room for Alexa Grasso?
Aware that her strategy of waiting and countering was working perfectly, the Frenchwoman continued this momentum in the second and third rounds, avoiding unnecessary risks and inflicting serious damage on the American, marked on the face. Without any major offensive, or real KO attempt, she nevertheless remained under threat of a devastating blow or a submission from her opponent.
This never happened. In control, despite some flashes from Blanchfield, Manon Fiorot mastered the end of the fight to win the judges' decision, after 25 minutes of fighting. Hit under the left eye, the American was much more affected than the Frenchwoman, and therefore could not claim victory.
Thanks to this success, Manon Fiorot is now positioned as the first candidate for the belt. For that, we will have to wait until the Mexican Alexa Grasso, current champion, recovers from her broken hand contracted last September during the rematch against Valentina Shevchenko, which ended in a draw. A third duel between the two fighters is also possible, and is the only threat for the Frenchwoman. However, she should be the second Habs to aim for a UFC title, after Ciryl Gane.