Manon Fiorot says the winner of her Noche UFC fight with Alexa Grasso will receive the next women’s flyweight title shot. The contenders meet Saturday, September 12, at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, two weeks after Natalia Silva and Wang Cong were booked to decide the vacant championship at UFC 332.
Fiorot enters at 13-2 after stopping Jasmine Jasudavicius in 74 seconds last October. Grasso is 17-5-1 following a first-round knockout of Maycee Barber in March. Fiorot said their recent wins made the matchup the logical next step for both former title challengers.
(In order to make another run at the title again), I have to fight and win against girls in the top-5 I didn’t fight in the past. I think I did a great performance against Jasmine, I think (Grasso) did a great performance against Maycee, so definitely, it was the fight to make, and the winner can go straight for the belt after that.
The title picture changed when Valentina Shevchenko relinquished the belt because shoulder and back ligament injuries ruled her out for at least a year. Fiorot had not been promised a direct path to the belt when she accepted Grasso, but the vacancy gave the September 12 fight a concrete championship consequence.
When I took this fight against Alexa, I’m not sure that (it is) the last fight between me and the title because we know Valentina — she doesn’t fight very often; perhaps one time a year. So, I really don’t think about that when I asked for Alexa… After last week, I understand that clearly there is a way to go straight for the title after that. But step-by-step: first Alexa, then we will see.
Fiorot Details The Stakes Before Noche UFC
Fiorot discussed the matchup in an official pre-fight interview. She called Grasso one of the few leading flyweights she has not faced and identified the former champion’s boxing and ground game as the central technical threats.
I'm very happy to get this fight because Alexa is one of the only girls I don't fight in this division. She's good in boxing, she has a good ground game.
The full interview clip is embedded below:
Fiorot also described the pressure as familiar rather than disruptive. Her preparation again included work at Tristar Gym with Firas Zahabi and Iman Zahabi after the camp changes that followed her decision loss to Shevchenko.
I do a lot of fights like that in the past. So I know I manage the pressure and I think I'm better with all this pressure on me.
She then stated the promise attached to Saturday’s result without qualification.
We talked to the UFC and they clearly say the winner gets the title shot.
A Finish Would Remove Any Remaining Debate
Fiorot reached her first UFC title fight after decisions over Jennifer Maia, Katlyn Cerminara, Rose Namajunas and Erin Blanchfield. She lost to Shevchenko at UFC 315 before rebounding against Jasudavicius, whose own title expectations had previously included a close watch on Fiorot’s place in the division.
To be honest, when I think about it, I didn’t think (about winning) so early in the fight, so it was really perfect. After that, I understand my truth, and all is perfect.
Grasso’s championship history includes a submission win, split draw and decision loss across three fights with Shevchenko. She lost the belt in their September 2024 trilogy bout, then returned to the win column by stopping Barber.
Noche UFC also gives Fiorot a nominally hostile setting against a Mexican former champion. She said that atmosphere suits her.
To be honest, I love it. I think I’m better when I go to enemy territory. It’s definitely what I prefer.
The French contender said victory is the essential requirement, though she will pursue the kind of finish that would leave no opening for another contender to pass her.
I know the best option is to win and finish this fight, but I think a win is clearly (the most important thing in) this fight. If I can finish this fight, I will do it.
Silva and Wang are scheduled to meet on October 3 in Salt Lake City. If the promotion follows the commitment Fiorot described, the winner in Glendale will leave with a defined place opposite the new champion.
