The UFC, the world’s largest MMA organization (mixed martial arts) returns to France this Saturday, September 2 for the second edition of UFC Paris. If the French Manon Fiorot, in her capacity as number two in the classification of less than 57 kilos, will fight just before Ciryl Gane, she is still trying to make a name for herself in her country. A victory against the star Rose Namajunas at Bercy would open the doors to a fight for the world title.
Far from the cliché of large factory-like American training rooms, Manon Fiorot has chosen the heart and intimacy of Nice. Meet in the south of France, northwest of one of the sunniest cities in France. On the third floor of a small tower is inscribed in large on the front ” Boxing Squad “. The entrance is lined with MMA posters signed by professional fighters.
At the back of the room, the black octagon faces the row of gray tatami mats. This is where Fiorot learned, polished and perfected his MMA. With his UFC stamped ensemble, it’s hard not to notice his arrival in the room. Time stops, practitioners greet her. The training of “The Beast” can now begin.
From the first minutes, the intensity goes up a notch: English boxing sequence over one minute, then wrestling work, all to be repeated three times. Aldric Cassata, her trainer, manager and husband, leads the dance. Miguel Haro, he, a professional MMA fighter, serves as a guinea pig for the Niçoise. As a teammate, he sees her gradually getting closer to her ultimate goal: “ For any MMA fighter, the dream is to be a UFC champion one dayexplains the sparring partner. Manon is less than two fights away from that, I really hope she will succeed. »
The Niçoise is currently ranked second in the under 57 kg category, two fights away from winning the UFC title. The Grail has never seemed so close. And will be won for sure, to believe the words of Jean-Robert Monier, the French wrestling coach. ” Its two strengths? His mind and bodyhe explains. She is a very complete athlete and today she is logically one of the very best. »
She very quickly revealed an innate talent for combat sports: “ I first started with karate at the age of seven, remembers Manon Fiorot, near her training octagon. I discovered MMA later on, I first went through kickboxing, Thai boxing. I heard about the creation of a French MMA team in 2016. I took part in my first amateur world championships in 2016 and that’s how I specialized. »
Of course there will be pressure, fighting at home, in front of my family, my team…
Seven years later, the 33-year-old Niçoise has made a name for herself in the UFC. When the American organization comes to Paris, Manon Fiorot will have the opportunity to mark the occasion against a legend, the American Rose Namajunas, former champion of the lower category and undisputed star of women’s MMA. An opponent as formidable in the cage as it is ideal for making himself known.
” Rose is a very great fighter, she is one of the oldest fighters on the circuit. She won the belt several timessavors the French fighter, smiling. She is very well known by the public, more than two million subscribers on Instagram. “Pressure before the big night at Bercy? Obviously : ” Of course there will be pressure, fighting at home, in front of my family, my team who will make the trip. It’s like a title fight. Anyway, it’s a good first test. ! »
Insufficient media coverage?
The two fans placed at the ends turn at full speed to cool the room and the fighters. Aldric Cassata continues to raise his voice and gives his instructions under the watchful eye of his fighter. A perfectionist, he ends up exulting when his protege sweeps to counter his vis-à-vis.
He had never been so satisfied with the preparation of his fighter: ” The message is to take this belt in 2024. Manon is the best in the category, we’ve been saying it for two years, now we have to prove it “says Aldric Cassata, cap screwed on the head.
To be the best to make herself known, because Manon Fiorot lacks light in her own country, more captivated by the career of Ciryl Gane. However, it is the Niçoise who has the best chance of winning a title: ” Currently, Manon is better known internationally than by the French public.analyzes Cassata. MMA is a sport of the moment. People only remember what they see. Although she is well ranked in the UFC, she had not participated in the first UFC Paris. It is important that she is there this year. »
The goal is not for Manon to take the place of Ciryl Gane.
Undefeated in the UFC, where she had not lost a single round either before her last fight, Manon Fiorot could not demonstrate the extent of her talent during her last outings. In question: the Covid in 2021 then a serious knee injury contracted during her duel last fall against the American Kathlyn Chookagian.
It will therefore be necessary to win with style to find a place in the landscape of French MMA. ” For the moment, Ciryl is in front of me, he held an interim belt in the UFC, he has already fought twice for the title, I haven’t had a chance yet. It is rather logical that he is the spearhead. It’s up to me to prove “, coldly slips Manon Fiorot. ” The goal is not for Manon to take her place as standard bearercompletes his coach. Rather that she manages to strengthen her position to become a representative of global MMA and not just female. »
End of the session at the beginning of the evening, exhausted, Manon Fiorot leaves quickly to change while several amateur fighters equip themselves to enter the track. No time to lose for the Niçoise team, heading to the massage. Before leaving the room, the fighter indulges in a few predictions about her future: “ Already a great victory in Paris, a knockout, put on a show. Then go get that belt and that wins ! “, announces the French in a big burst of laughter. Perhaps the recipe for success.