UFC has signed their first French women’s flyweight fighter in the form of EFC Worldwide and UAE Warriors women’s flyweight champion, Manon Fiorot. Joining the organization on short notice, Fiorot is set to take on Victoria Leonardo on January 20, 2021, UFC Fight Night card. Fiorot has been on many peoples’ list as a top-5 prospect to join the UFC in 2021.
Europe and Africa’s Hottest Prospect
Manon Fiorot (5-1) has already built quite the resume in her short career. Winning five straight since dropping a split decision at Cage Warriors 94 in her pro debut, Fiorot won EFC Worldwide’s The Fighter season 2, which is similar to the UFC’s The Ultimate Fighter. That lone loss came to Leah McCourt, who is currently undefeated in Bellator. She is also the holder of the EFC Worldwide and UAE Warriors flyweight champion. Four of her five career wins have come by stoppage including her last outing. Fiorot won the UAE Warriors flyweight title on November 27, 2020, when she defeated Gabriela Campo via first-round TKO.
UFC Next Female Star
Five fights were all Fiorot needed in the amateur ranks before deciding to turn pro in her career. She suffered a loss in the amateur ranks at the 2016 IMMAF World Championships. The IMMAF is the international body that governs amateur mixed martial arts around the globe for participating nations. In 2017 Fiorot had an solid run at the 2017 IMMAF European Open Championships where she earned a spot in the finals. In November of 2017, Fiorot put it all together and won the 2017 IMMAF World Championships in Manama, Bahrain.
“I am really happy to be the first flyweight French woman in the UFC. It is only the beginning of the road. You can be sure I will shock the world,” Fiorot told MMASucka. Her first task in this ascension up the UFC ladder will start on January 20, 2021, at UFC Fight Night on Fight Island, where she will face Louisiana native Victoria Leonardo. Leonardo is coming off of a huge win on the Contender Series, earning her contract on November 17, 2020.
UFC Debut on Familiar Ground
Abu Dhabi is a second-home to Fiorot where she is the Island’s major MMA organization’s former champion. Fiorot’s last three bouts have been under the UAE Warriors banner, which hold it’s events in Abu Dhabi. On that three-fight run, Fiorot is 3-0 with knockout finishes. With France currently legalizing MMA this calendar year, look for more French fighters to come to the surface. In the women’s division, look for Manon Fiorot to become it’s torch-bearer.
