Manon Fiorot eyes Alexa Gross fight for No.1 contender

Manon Fiorot is hoping to face Alexa Grasso in order to get a shot at the title.

Fiorot defeated former flyweight title contender Katelyn Chookagian by majority decision at UFC 280, giving her the greatest win of her career. As the main card opener of the biggest pay-per-view of the year, it was Fiorot's first significant performance and an experience she considers crucial as she moves up the flyweight rankings.

“For sure a lot of pressure,” Fiorot told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “It was my first big card, on the main card too, against the No. 1 contender of the division. It was just my fifth fight in the UFC. So absolutely, a lot of pressure. I didn’t have the fight I expected, but the most important thing is I won, and now I’m prepared for the future. ...

“Before the fight I knew Katelyn was very technical, has good footwork, and really, really good fight I.Q., but during the fight she was very frustrating to fight against because she disengaged a lot and she threw a lot, a lot of punches, but not efficient striking. She’d just throw and move, throw and move. So definitely it was very technical and difficult to fight in standup against Katelyn.”

“Let me tell you, I never say no when the UFC team asks about an opponent,” Fiorot said. “Never. Two days before the fight, I never say no. I agree, I think [a fight with Alexa Grasso] is a good choice. Alexa, call us. She talked about the fight, she called for the winner of me and Katelyn, so I have to say yes. For sure I’d do this. I think she’s a good striker, and it’s a good fight for the fans and the division.”

Just a week before to Fiorot's victory, Grasso also recently achieved a significant victory in a crucial situation by winning by unanimous decision against Viviane Araujo in the main event of UFC Vegas 62. Fiorot appears to be on the same page as Grasso, who later stated that she wanted to acquire a bit more experience before rushing into a title match with Shevchenko. Fiorot also stated that she wanted to be fully prepared to win the title when the time came.

“I’m pretty sure right now Valentina has experience on me. I understand I just have five fights on the big stage in the UFC. I think one more is good for my career and my thinking about my fight I.Q.”

With her win over Chookagian, Fiorot is now 10-1 in her MMA career, having gone undefeated since losing her pro debut, with a 5-0 record inside the UFC.