Below is a summary of the co-main event bout between Valentina Shevchenko and Manon Fiorot from UFC 315, which took place on May 10th at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The highly anticipated flyweight clash went the distance.
The official result saw Valentina Shevchenko defeat Manon Fiorot via Unanimous Decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47).
Round 1
Referee Marc Goddard oversaw the co-main event. Shevchenko started cautiously, working from the outside. She landed effective jabs and a counter-right, showing sharp hands early. Fiorot landed a low kick, but Shevchenko countered. A check hook from Shevchenko badly bloodied Fiorot`s nose. Shevchenko then caught a kick and secured a takedown, maintaining half guard control for the rest of the round, seemingly taking an easy 10-9 on the cards.
Round 2
Shevchenko attempted her counter-right again. Fiorot initiated grappling, attempting takedowns which Shevchenko initially stuffed. Shevchenko successfully tripped Fiorot, though they scrambled back up. Fiorot then pressed for a takedown, showing impressive wrestling defense against Shevchenko`s attempts and maintaining a body lock. Fiorot landed an elbow on separation. Later, Fiorot drove through for a strong takedown, putting Shevchenko on the mat. Fiorot landed a knee while Shevchenko was grounded, which appeared questionable but was seemingly deemed legal as Shevchenko blocked it. This round was scored 10-9 for Fiorot, bringing the fight to 19-19 overall.
Round 3
Fiorot led with her jab and continued seeking takedowns, while Shevchenko used leg kicks from range. They clinched, with Fiorot landing an inside elbow and knees to the body, successfully defending against Shevchenko`s clinch attempts. Fiorot pressured Shevchenko against the fence at times. Shevchenko did land a clinch knee to the jaw, but Fiorot powered through. With 90 seconds left, exchanges were even, but Fiorot`s pressure and takedown attempts against the fence, despite not resulting in significant offense, saw her edge the round 10-9, putting her up 29-28.
Round 4
Shevchenko`s right hand connected when she could land it, and she used spin kicks to the body. Fiorot again looked to clinch and push Shevchenko to the fence. Shevchenko`s jab helped manage the distance this round. She landed another body spin kick. Fiorot clinched and drove a knee to the body, seeking the body lock, but Shevchenko defended to keep it standing. Shevchenko then landed an incredible reaction takedown, though Fiorot quickly got back up. As time ran down, Shevchenko landed quick right hands that rocked Fiorot, securing a late knockdown to seal the round 10-9 in her favor, evening the score at 38-38 heading into the final round.
Round 5
The final round was a battle of wills. Shevchenko threw straight punches as Fiorot pressed forward. They clinched, with Fiorot using a knee to enter and tie Shevchenko up. Shevchenko backed off and landed a body kick and a left down the middle. Fiorot countered. Shevchenko landed a spinning backfist. Fiorot closed distance again, aiming to neutralize Shevchenko on the fence. On separation, Shevchenko landed a combination and a superman punch. She attempted a level change for a takedown, but Fiorot defended and spun her to the fence. Shevchenko circled away, with Fiorot pursuing but finding entry difficult. Fiorot strung punches together and pressured again. In the final seconds, both exchanged, with Shevchenko landing a spinning strike and Fiorot an elbow. The round was close, but Shevchenko`s activity slightly edged it, resulting in an unofficial 10-9 score, for a final tally of 48-47 Shevchenko.
The official scores confirmed the unofficial tally, with all three judges scoring the bout 48-47 for Valentina Shevchenko, awarding her the unanimous decision victory.
Wesley Dunham 
Marcus Blakely