The UFC’s flyweight division has become the most competitive female division in the promotion, mainly due to the upset loss of Valentina Shevchenko to Alexa Grasso. Moreover, contenders like Manon Fiorot, Maycee Barber, Erin Blanchfield, and others have also risen to make it an exciting division. One Norwegian who wants to get into this mix is Ivana Petrovic, a former champion at Ares FC.
Petrovic came to the UFC with an undefeated record in six professional fights but lost her debut to Luana Carolina, via unanimous decision. The 29-year-old would be looking to bounce back from the loss, against Liang Na in the upcoming UFC Vegas 91 fight night. Speaking to Inside Fighting’s Jesse Rowe, Petrovic spoke a variety of things and even gave her prediction for the winner of Alexa Grasso versus Valentina Shevchenko III.
“I really think Valentina (Shevchenko) is going to win. I really respect everything that she did for women’s MMA. And of course, (Alexa) Grasso is a new fighter, and she’s showing something new,” Ivana Petrovic said.
“So I’m really looking forward to seeing that fight, and hopefully, Valentina’s going to win because I’m a fan of Valentina. Of course, if Alexa wins this time, then okay, then we know that Alexa is better. Both fights have been so good too, they’ve been such good fights,” Petrovic added.
Shevchenko lost the tile to Grasso at UFC 285 and the subsequent rematch at Noche UFC ended in a split draw due to an erroneous judging. The two women are now coaching opposite at The Ultimate Fighter Season 32 and will complete their trilogy later this year per MMA Mania.
Manon Fiorot had expressed interest in weighing in as a backup for the fight as she recently defeated Erin Blanchfield in the main event of UFC Atlantic City.
Ivana Petrovic on Manon Fiorot’s victory against Erin Blanchfield
In the main event of UFC Atlantic City, Manon Fiorot and Erin Blanchfield, both undefeated in the UFC, fought to determine the number one contender who would face the winner of Grasso versus Shevchenko III. Fiorot got her hand raised, after 5 rounds with 50-45 scorecards across the board.
In her recent interview, Ivan Petrovic talked about what she saw in the fight. Petrovic, relatively new to MMA as she had transitioned from kickboxing two years prior, found some glaring holes in the gameplan of the American against the Frenchwoman.
“It was a really good fight, but if I’m (Erin) Blanchfield, I would try a little bit more to take her down. Blanchfield had heart and she was punching her and trying to go in and do Manon’s (Fiorot) game, but I don’t think Blanchfield should do that,” Ivana Petrovic said about the fight.
In addition to the main event, UFC Atlantic City had exciting and controversial fights. Chris Weidman eye-poked Bruno Silva multiple times before he was awarded a technical decision victory. Moreover, Jacob Malkoun knocked out Andre Petroski in a bizarre unfathomable way too.
As for Ivana Petrovic, she has trained with the legendary Mirko Cro Crop for the upcoming fight against Liang Na. The 29-year-old expects to utilize her range to full effect, against the relatively shorter Na.
Do you agree with Ivana Petrovic’s prediction for the UFC women’s flyweight title? Leave your thoughts below!
