5 intriguing challengers for Valentina Shevchenko's UFC title

#2. Manon Fiorot

Out of all the contenders in the UFC women's flyweight division right now, Manon Fiorot is arguably the most intriguing potential challenger for Valentina Shevchenko's title.

Like Shevchenko, Fiorot has gained a ton of experience outside the UFC. Before turning pro in 2018, she competed in the IMMAF championships, the most prestigious MMA competition at the amateur level.

She won the gold medal at the IMMAF championships before picking up the UAE Warriors and EFC's 125-pound titles, which prompted the world's premier MMA organization to come calling.

Since signing with the UFC, Fiorot has been in absolutely scorching form. She secured TKO victories in her first two bouts and followed them up with consecutive unanimous decision victories over Mayra Bueno Silva and former title challenger Jennifer Maia to break into the top ten in the rankings.

With Valentina Shevchenko running out of challengers, Fiorot has seemingly been fast-tracked up the 125-pound rankings. Now occupying the No.6 spot, she is likely one or two wins away from a shot at gold. The French star is reportedly set to take on another former title challenger in Katlyn Chookagian at UFC Paris.

A potential Chookagian vs. Fiorot matchup offers both contenders a chance to solidify their claim to a title shot. A win for the No.1-ranked Chookagian could earn her a rematch with Shevchenko, who beat her handily back in 2020.

On the flipside, a hometown victory for Fiorot could catapult her straight into the title mix.

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#1. Miesha Tate – Former UFC women's bantamweight champion

If anyone has a real chance of dethroning Valentina Shevchenko, it's former bantamweight queen Miesha Tate. Tate holds a significant size advantage over Shevchenko, a factor that has caused issues for the reigning flyweight queen previously.

Shevchenko's only two losses in the UFC came at the hands of another former bantamweight champion, Amanda Nunes. While both fights were closely contested bouts that went the distance, 'Bullet' adopted a more cautious approach against 'The Lioness', wary of the power coming her way.

While Tate is nowhere near as powerful as Nunes, a potential fight between herself and Shevchenko is quite intriguing, especially if she is able to secure a takedown and work submissions. 'Cupcake' is likely one win away from a shot at the flyweight title as she's set to take on top-ranked contender Lauren Murphy in her 125-pound debut.

Tate, a former Strikeforce and UFC champion, will likely be the best grappler Valentina Shevchenko has faced if the duo lock horns down the line. She has seven submission victories on her record and notably choked out Holly Holm to win the bantamweight title back in 2016.

After a five-year hiatus between 2016 and 2021, Tate returned to the octagon in emphatic fashion, finishing Marion Reneau via TKO. She succumbed to a unanimous decision loss to Ketlen Vieira in her next bout, which likely prompted the move down to 125 pounds.

Skill-for-skill, Shevchenko is without a doubt a better fighter than Tate. However, the size difference between the duo could play a key role and certainly make for an interesting stylistic matchup.