Outside Source
French standout Manon Fiorot will take a seven-fight promotional winning streak into her title bout against Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 315.
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Fiorot’s grappling coach, Flávio “Peroba” Santiago, revealed to Sherdog.com that the No. 1 flyweight contender has evolved a lot on the ground in recent years.
“Manon’s work ethic is really impressive,” said the Luta Livre black belt, who has been living in France since 2001. “Since I started training her on the ground in December 2022, she only stopped to have surgery on her knee. Seven months later, she started the camp to fight Rose [Namajunas]. Ten months after the surgery she fought. After the fight with Rose, she stopped for a month and then started training for [Erin] Blanchfield.”
According to the Brazilian coach, the five rounds against Blanchfield were important preparation for this long-awaited fight against the champion.
“I believe Valentina will come to exchange punches but with the goal of putting Fiorot on the ground, as she did in her last two fights,” he said. “But taking Manon down is getting harder every day, and I can tell because I spar with her. But even if Valentina can do it, I’m very calm. Manon evolved a lot on the ground, both from the bottom and top, and is bringing some surprises for the champion.”
Santiago also revealed that head coach Aldric Cassata brought [French MMA fighters] Jerome Vaulerin and Kristof Midoux into camp to improve the Frenchwoman’s wrestling. The Brazilian made a point of praising the growth of MMA in France.
“Since the UFC came here for the first time, the sport’s popularity has increased enormously,” he said. “Johnny Fachey and Lionel Bréséphin are doing an extraordinary job here. In March, we will have a Fight Night in England. I hope that the next UFC in Europe will be here in France, with Manon defending her belt at home.”
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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