UFC 315: Valentina Shevchenko v Manon Fiorot tips, predictions & odds

Adam Catterall previews the women's flyweight title bout between Valentina Shevchenko and Manon Fiorot at UFC 315.

Valentina Shevchenko v Manon Fiorot Tips

Valentina Shevchenko to win By Decision or Technical Decision @ 15/8

The flyweight title is on the line and the champion is back, with Valentina Shevchenko returning after her trilogy with Alexa Grasso.

She takes on French striking superstar Manon Fiorot, and I think that if this fight plays out purely on the feet, we might get a new champion.

However, Valentina has been there, done it and got the t-shirt, and she will know the threats that are coming her way.

Fiorot is a fantastic kickboxer, but so is Valentina. Why level the fight up?

We saw against Grasso, especially in that third fight, that Valentina isn't bothered about what the crowd think anymore. She's not bothered about delivering the highlight reel moment, she's bothered about winning, legacy and getting her arm raised to go home with that belt.

I think in this fight we are going to find out how good of a wrestler and grappler Manon Fiorot is. We don't know the answer because nobody has really pushed her to those limits.

Every fight Fiorot has had so far she's had great takedown defence, keeps everything on the feet, keeps everybody nice and long and shows off her striking skills.

Valentina is a different animal, because they are probably well matched on the feet when it comes to striking skills which gives Fiorot the best opportunity to win, but when it comes to grappling I think the champion is a level above and I think that's where this fight is going to go.

We're going to get some fun exchanges on the feet, Manon is going to have her moments, but the IQ and experience of Valentina Shevchenko is going to come into play here.

Valentina is not going to stand there for too long, she will attempt to take Manon down and I think that's where she's going to have her success.

I'm going for points and the call of 'and still...' with Valentina Shevchenko remaining the queen.

(All odds were correct and available at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal and fluctuation).

Adam Catterall

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