Valentina Shevchenko simply needs to battle.
Final month, Dana White introduced that Shevchenko would put her flyweight championship on the road in opposition to No. 2 ranked contender Manon Fiorot at UFC 315 on Could 10.
The information got here as a little bit of a shock to battle followers after White gave the impression to be on board for a champion vs. champion conflict between ‘Bullet’ and reigning strawweight queen Zhang Weili. ‘Magnum’ scored a dominant determination victory over Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312 and instantly floated the concept of transferring as much as face Shevchenko in what would undoubtedly be one of many greatest girls’s fights in UFC historical past.
Sadly, that received’t be Shevchenko’s subsequent battle, however throughout a latest interview with MMA Junkie, Shevchenko supplied some perception into why she selected to battle Fiorot over ready for Weili to get well.
“I don’t care a lot about, like, what course of is happening of their thoughts, what they’re considering, what battle goes to be higher for the promotions,” Shevchenko stated. “I’m simply right here to battle, and that is what’s vital for me. They throw me a reputation, I settle for this identify.
“For me, I’ve by no means been somebody who says, ‘Oh, I don’t wish to battle this lady, I wish to battle this fighter.’ No. I like to battle. That is my martial arts. It’s my life—my way of life.”
Manon Fiorot has earned her shot at valentina Shevchenko
After surrendering the flyweight crown to Alexa Grasso in 20223, Shevchenko took again the title at UFC 306.
Whereas followers in all probability would have most well-liked to see Shevchenko vs. Zhang subsequent, there’s no denying that Manon Fiorot has greater than earned her alternative. Since signing with the promotion in 2021, ‘The Beast’ has gone an ideal 7-0 with wins over Katlyn Cerminara, ‘Thug’ Rose Namajunas, and Erin Blanchfield in her final three outings.
Fiorot has not misplaced a battle since a 2018 cut up determination loss to Leah McCourt below the Cage Warriors banner.
UFC 315 will emanate from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and also will see UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad put his gold on the road for the primary time in opposition to Aussie knockout artist Jack Della Maddalena.
