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Shevchenko Drops Fiorot In A Decision Win
Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Valentina Shevchenko retained her UFC Flyweight Title with a hard-fought unanimous decision win against Manon Fiorot at UFC 315: 48-47 (x3). 

It was the first defense of her belt, which she had acquired after beating Alexa Grasso in their trilogy fight at UFC 306. Shevchenko found her timing early on, connecting with her leg kicks. Valentina also landed some quick right hands, as she capitalized with a takedown in a strong opener. Fiorot hit back well in the second, taking Shevchenko to the ground. She landed some elbow shots in a strong response.

The third was a tight affair, as Valentina kept her output high with kicks, while Fiorot landed on the inside. However, the fourth was the turning point for Valentina. Shevchenko landed spinning kicks and a crucial counter right hand to send Fiorot to the canvas. However, it happened near the end of the round as the bell went. The final round was a close encounter. Fiorot pushed forward, but Valentina landed the more eye-catching shots to get the win.

“I was expecting a very hard fight because Manon is a hard opponent and a good striker but everything that I worked on in terms of getting ready for the fight, I was able to do. For so many years, my main training partner was my sister [former UFC flyweight] Antonina [Shevchenko] and she was a southpaw so I dedicate this victory to her and to my mom. [The key is to] keep going [at this age]. It’s like, numbers are nothing, it’s more important how you feel mentally and physically. It’s how you perform,” Shevchenko said

Full Card Results

Jack Della Maddalena beat Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) to win the UFC welterweight title

Valentina Shevchenko beat Manon Fiorot by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) to keep the UFC flyweight title

Aiemann Zahabi beat Jose Aldo by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Natalia Silva beat Alexa Grasso by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Benoit Saint-Denis beat Kyle Prepolec by arm-triangle choke (2:35 of round two)

Mike Malott beat Charles Radtke by KO (0:26 of round two)

Jasmine Jasudavicius beat Jessica Andrade by rear-naked choke (2:40 of round one)

Modestas Bukauskas beat Ion Cutelaba by split decision (27-30, 30-27, 29-28)

Navajo Stirling beat Ivan Erslan by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)

Marc-Andre Barriault beat Bruno Silva by KO (1:27 of round one)

Daniel Santos beat Lee Jeong-yeong by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Bekzat Almakhan beat Brad Katona by KO (1:04 of round one)

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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