Fiorot takes decision to spoil Namajunas' flyweight debut

French favorite Manon Fiorot dealt former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas a defeat in her flyweight debut, taking home a unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) Saturday at UFC Paris.

Fiorot outstruck Namajunas throughout the bout, which unfolded on the feet. An inadvertent clash of heads left her face bloody in the second round, but she quickly went back to work to secure the decision.

Fiorot improved to 6-0 in the Octagon with the victory. She entered UFC Paris ranked No. 3 at 125 pounds, and she called for a title shot after the bout. Fiorot and Erin Blanchfield are the most likely challengers once Valentina Shevchenko has her rematch against Alexa Grasso on Sept. 16.

Namajunas moved up to flyweight after a decorated run at strawweight. The two-time champion appeared more muscular in her new weight class but was noticeably smaller than her opponent.

The American has now lost two in a row, as she dropped the belt to Carla Esparza in May 2022. She appeared to suffer from a finger injury on her right hand against Fiorot and was throwing punches exclusively with her left hand by the end of the contest.