UFC 306’s co-main event has its official contingency plan.
Top flyweight contender Manon Fiorot is set to serve as the backup fighter for the trilogy bout between UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso and former champ Valentina Shevchenko, which takes place Sept. 14 at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Sources close to the situation confirmed the news to MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin on Friday.
Fiorot’s coach Aldric Cassata previously told Boxemag.com of Fiorot’s opportunity but the move is now official.
Fiorot, 34, is MMA Fighting’s No. 3 ranked female flyweight in the world and No. 4 ranked women’s pound-for-pound fighter. The French contender is a perfect 7-0 under the UFC umbrella, a run punctuated by impressive wins over top talents Erin Blanchfield, Rose Namajunas, Katlyn Cerminara, Jennifer Maia, and Mayra Bueno Silva.
Grasso and Shevhchenko are set to meet for a third consecutive time in a rivalry that first began in March 2023 with Grasso’s stunning upset of Shevchenko via fourth-round submission. The two then met in a rematch this past September, which ended with Grasso retaining the belt via a controversial split draw at the inaugural Noche UFC show.
Grasso and Shevchenko subsequently coached opposite one another on the recent season of The Ultimate Fighter 32, which decides its winners this Saturday at UFC Vegas 96.
