ABU DHABI – Manon Fiorot is here at UFC 280 to put on a show and earn a title shot.
Fiorot (9-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) meets former women’s flyweight title challenger Katlyn Chookagian (18-4 MMA, 11-4 UFC) in Saturday’s pay-per-view main card opener at Etihad Arena, which streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view.
Fiorot went from being booked against Chookagian, to Jessica Andrade, and then back to Chookagian. But the rising contender, who is on a nine-fight winning streak, is happy to be fighting the No. 1-ranked flyweight and expects a win to earn her a shot at champion Valentina Shevchenko.
“It’s better for the rankings, because Katyln is higher,” Fiorot told MMA Junkie. “But I respect her. I know she’s one of the most technical fighters in the division, but I win this fight, and I swear it’s not boring.”
She continued, “She’s definitely a gatekeeper, if I can talk like that, but I’m happy, because I’ll show that I can beat the gatekeeper and do my job. .. Definitely after the fight I’ll call out Valentina for the belt.”
Chookagian has taken out plenty of top flyweight contenders to cement her No. 1 spot. But everything Chookagian does well, Fiorot thinks she does better.
“Most of her wins are by footwork and fight IQ, but I have better,” Fiorot said. “… I’m coming here to do a standup fight, but I really think after the first round she’ll want to wrestle me.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 280.
