TLDR
- Alexa Grasso defeated Manon Fiorot by unanimous decision (29-28 on all cards) at Noche UFC in Glendale
- Grasso dropped Fiorot with a right hook in the first round and controlled the fight despite a late rally
- The victory was designated as a title eliminator, guaranteeing Grasso her next shot at the flyweight championship
- Grasso will face the winner of Natalia Silva versus Wang Cong at UFC 332 on October 3
- The win continues Grasso’s comeback after losses to Valentina Shevchenko and Silva earlier in her career
Sources: yardbarker.com | cagesidepress.com | mmasucka.com
Former UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso earned a unanimous decision victory over Manon Fiorot at Noche UFC on Saturday in Glendale, Arizona. All three judges scored the bout 29-28 in favor of Grasso, who improved her record to 18-5-1.
Grasso came out aggressive from the opening bell, landing a series of combinations on Fiorot in the first round. With under two minutes gone in the fight, Grasso had already landed 15 head strikes compared to Fiorot’s seven.
Late in the opening round, Grasso connected with a clean right hook that dropped Fiorot to the canvas. She immediately took top position and delivered ground-and-pound strikes before the round ended.
Fiorot Rallies But Falls Short
Fiorot (13-3) found more success in the second and third rounds after surviving the first-round knockdown. She managed to cut Grasso above the eye and landed effective side kicks throughout the middle rounds.
“I'm ready for a war every single time I step into the cage.”
Alexa Grasso was happy to put her boxing and fight IQ on display and get closer to regaining the belt. #NocheUFC
Complete Main Card Results ➡️ https://t.co/4PkhhRBRtt
Official Scorecards: https://t.co/ESlxRQ1ZZl pic.twitter.com/hvwSzDhDGi
— UFC News (@UFCNews) September 12, 2026
In the final round, Fiorot slightly outpaced Grasso in strikes by a 27-24 margin. However, the damage from the first-round knockdown proved too much to overcome on the judges’ scorecards.
Grasso credited her preparation and strategy for the victory. “I prepared very well. I trust in my team, everything we did, the strategy. And it worked,” she told reporters after the fight.
The win extends Grasso’s comeback following losses to Valentina Shevchenko in their trilogy bout and to Natalia Silva. She had already scored a knockout victory over Maycee Barber in March at UFC Seattle.
Title Shot Next for Grasso
Earlier in fight week, the UFC announced that the bout between Grasso and Fiorot would serve as a championship eliminator. The winner would earn a guaranteed title shot at the UFC women’s flyweight championship.
Valentina Shevchenko recently vacated the flyweight title due to injury. Silva will now face Wang Cong for the vacant championship at UFC 332 on October 3.
The UFC 332 event will mark the first time a UFC flagship event’s main card airs on CBS linear television. Grasso confirmed she will be watching the title fight closely.
“I’ll be watching of course. It’s an important fight in my weight class,” Grasso said. “But you know, I always keep training, I trust in my work, and when the time comes, I’ll be ready.”
Grasso first won the flyweight title in 2023 with a fourth-round submission victory over Shevchenko. The two fighters had a rematch at the first Noche UFC event in September 2023, which ended in a split draw.
Shevchenko reclaimed the title in their third meeting a year later by unanimous decision. With Shevchenko now sidelined for the remainder of the year, Grasso has positioned herself for another championship opportunity.
Grasso also spoke about the growth of Mexican MMA fighters. “Now you see the new generation of Mexicans, they’re amazing. They’re complete fighters,” she said.
The winner of Silva versus Cong at UFC 332 will face Grasso in her next bout for the flyweight championship.
