Shevchenko edges out Fiorot to retain UFC flyweight title

Valentina Shevchenko defeated Manon Fiorot via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) to retain the women's flyweight championship in the UFC 315 co-main event Saturday night at Bell Centre in Montreal.

Shevchenko secured her first title defense since reclaming the belt last September against Alexa Grasso. The 37-year-old holds the most title-fight wins in women's 125-pound history at 10.

Her latest victory against Fiorot was very competitive. Shevchenko started strong in Round 1, landing a few hard counter punches before making Fiorot's nose leak blood with a right hook. She also secured a takedown in the final 90 seconds.

However, Fiorot responded well in the second, defending Shevchenko's takedown attempts and outworking the champion on the feet. Fiorot managed to make the rest of the fight competitive, but in the end, Shevchenko's offense was a bit more effective than the challenger's. The biggest moment of the fight came in the final seconds of the fourth round when Shevchenko sat Fiorot down with a counter right.

Shevchenko is now riding a two-fight winning streak. Fiorot, the No. 1-ranked women's flyweight contender, suffered her first UFC loss, falling to 7-1 in the promotion.