Erin Blanchfield may have just secured her spot as next title contender in the women’s flyweight division following a jaw-dropping performance in the UFC Vegas 69 main event.
The 23-year-old fighter didn’t skip a beat with a late change of opponents going from Taila Santos to Jessica Andrade because she appeared more than ready for whatever challenge got thrown at her. Following a surprising start on the feet where Blanchfield was more than holding her own, she eventually turned back to her grappling and only needed one takedown to end the fight.
As soon as she dragged Andrade to the canvas, Blanchfield advanced to take the back and locked up the fight ending rear-naked choke with the end coming at 1:37 in the second round.
“She hits hard, but she hit really well. Blanchfield later said that she felt that “*” from the clinch. She took that and went for it.” She was an excellent striker and I knew that she would not want to be on the ground with us.
” I knew that I would have to deal [her striking], and I am glad to have had the opportunity. I don’t think it will happen again. It was an enjoyable experience .”
Despite her reputation as a ground specialist Blanchfield showed no fear stepping into the lion’s den and trading punches with Andrade as soon as the action got started. Blanchfield was quick to pull the trigger on a number of nasty combinations with several shots tagging Andrade and snapping her head backwards.
Blanchfield was limiting Andrade’s ability to reach the market. The Brazilian kept failing her when she tried to enter the markets. The New Jersey native eventually looked for the takedown but had no problem hanging in the pocket and trading bombs with Andrade.
It wasn’t until round two that Blanchfield finally pulled Andrade to the ground. That’s when she showed her dominance and strength in the fight.
With Andrade stuck underneath her, Blanchfield shredded her opponent’s defense to then take the back and it was almost an immediate transition to slip the arm under the chin to latch onto the rear naked choke.
Blanchfield had such a tight grip that she didn’t even have time to secure her legs in position before Andrade was forced to tap with referee Herb Dean quickly jumping in to rescue her.
The win moves Blanchfield to 11-1 in her career, 5-0 in the UFC and now she’s setting her sights on a championship with designs on facing the winner in the upcoming flyweight title fight at UFC 285 on March 4.
“Give me the winner of [Valentina] Shevchennko vs. [Alexa] Grasso next,” Blanchfield said. “I’m going to win a title and be a UFC champion.”
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/2/18/23605910/erin-blanchfield-calls-for-title-shot-after-tapping-out-jessica-andrade-in-ufc-vegas-69-main-event?rand=96749
