Valentina Shevchenko opened her second UFC flyweight reign with one of the most impressive, and perhaps close, wins of an already Hall of Fame-worthy career.
The Kyrgyz champion defeated the favored Manon Fiorot (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) at UFC 315 in her first title defense since reclaiming her belt at the conclusion of her trilogy with Alexa Grasso.
Shevchenko opened the fight looking like an untouchable champion, clearly taking the first round and leaving Fiorot with a bloody nose, not to mention an almost-dazed look in her eyes. Fiorot's response was impressive. She controlled the second round, mostly through clinches, and held on enough to have an argument for the third round.