Vancouver — If you’re wondering why Manon Fiorot didn’t compete at UFC Paris in her native France a month or so ago, it’s simple: it was just too soon after her loss to Valentina Shevchenko this past May.
Fiorot (12-2), who suffered defeat for the first time since her pro debut in that fight at UFC 315, addressed the timing of her return with Cageside Press during Wednesday’s UFC Vancouver media day. Her latest fight has Fiorot going up against Canada’s own Jasmine Jasudavicius.
“I didn’t have much opposition for Paris, but to be honest, it was too close and too early after my defeat. I needed more time to refocus on me. It’s really good for me to fight now,” she stated ahead of Saturday’s Fight Night event.
Fiorot has begun working with one of Canada’s most notable gyms, Montreal’s TriStar, ahead of her second straight fight in the country.
“It was the first time I leave my home town to train outside,” stated Fiorot, who worked with TriStar head coach Firas Zahabi among others. “I made new skills and you’ll see Saturday a new Manon with a new game plan, and new stuff.”
Those new skills, she added, were “not about big change, just adjustment.”
“Little move on my skills, on my striking game and my wrestling game. If I had to say one word, just ‘adjustment.'”
Despite working with TriStar, Fiorot didn’t get a chance to train with the legendary Georges St-Pierre, as he wasn’t in Montreal at the time. “I just saw him one or two times,” she explained.
Next month will see the woman Manon Fiorot lost to in May, Valentina Shevchenko, attempt to defend her title against strawweight Queen Weili Zhang, who is vacating her title for the opportunity.
“If I had to choose I’d prefer Valentina win this fight, but I’m really focused on me, and we will see,” said Fiorot when asked if she had a preference as to the outcome of that fight.
Watch the full UFC Vancouver media day appearance with Manon Fiorot.
