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Manon Fiorot sees no option other than a women’s flyweight championship fight after a one-sided display against Erin Blanchfield in Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 54 main event.
Fiorot (12-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) secured a seventh consecutive victory to begin her UFC tenure when she decisively outpointed Blanchfield (12-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) to a unanimous decision at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.
Afterward, she made it clear that it’s title or bust going forward.
“I fought everyone in the category – I’m ready,” Fiorot told Michael Bisping through an interpreter during her post-fight interview. “I want the title. That’s it.”
With her past five victories coming against Blanchfield, former champ Rose Namajunas and former title challengers Katlyn Cerminara, Jennifer Maia and Mayra Bueno Silva, there’s little argument to be made against Fiorot’s title shot aspirations.
Timing, however, might prove problematic. Current champion Alexa Grasso isn’t expected to defend her title in a trilogy bout with Valentina Shevchenko until at least September due to the filming of “The Ultimate Fighter 32,” which means Fiorot is looking at a long wait before her shot materializes.
That doesn’t appear to bother her, though. At this point, there’s only one goal remaining.
“I will take one or the other (between Grasso and Shevchenko),” Fiorot said. “I’m ready. No matter what, I want my title shot.”
For now, Fiorot, 34, will revel in the glory of another signature win against Blanchfield.
“She was tough, but I didn’t have any surprises,” Fiorot said. “I was ready. We didn’t go into wrestling. I didn’t take much hurt. I’m happy. Everything went well.”
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