Erin Blanchfield believes a dominant win over Jessica Andrade should earn her a title fight but if that’s not in the cards, she won’t complain.
In her most difficult test yet, the flyweight showed she is ready to move up from prospect to fighter after she took just two rounds to score a submission by Andrade.
After the fight, Blanchfield called for Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko to be declared the victor. They will battle in UFC 285’s co-main event. All things considered, Blanchfield believes her win coupled with the upcoming title fight scheduled on March 4 should put her directly in line for the next shot at the champion, but then again she’s never going to turn down another opportunity to fight again in the meantime.
” I’m absolutely OK with fighting again,” Blanchfield stated at UFC Vegas 69 press conference. “The title fight is in 2 weeks, so it should be perfect. But, if they ask me to fight again .”
, I will gain more experience.
Prior to Saturday night, Blanchfield had put together a perfect 4-0 resume in the UFC but she hadn’t faced anyone inside the top 10 rankings yet so drawing Andrade was a huge step up in competition.
By all metrics, Blanchfield passed her test while standing toe-to–toe on Andrade’s feet. She then took the fight to the floor where she won the fight-ending submission.
” Every fight begins standing, so I had to strike first and then wait for my takedowns,” Blanchfield said. One or two of the takedowns didn’t go my way so I stood. It was a comfortable place for me. Although she hits very hard, I knew I was also hitting her. I had to just work on my game and wait until my chance. She’s a former champ and No. 3 in the weight class so I knew I was going to have to work for those. The first one or two might not work but the third one does so I knew that going in.
” When I was in the clinch, my overhook felt super heavy so I had to take an inside trip. After I had her down, she tried to climb up and gave up on the back. She didn’t defend it at all. I sunk the choke right in and I knew even if she stood up, she was going to pass out if she did.”
Blanchfield knew that a title fight was possible even before Andrade became Taila Santos.
Putting Andrade away so impressively just sealed the deal as Blanchfield called her shot.
“I always think of what I want to say after a win because it can be very emotional and it can be a little cloudy but I knew beating someone like her, especially if I finished her, that I could deserve that title next,” Blanchfield said.
With the win, Blanchfield turns her attention to Shevchenko vs. Grasso in hopes she will get the winner. However, she cannot hide her desire for who she would prefer.
” I would prefer Shevchenko,” Blanchfield stated. She beats Grasso, I think. Grasso is a tough fighter but I want to be the one to take that title from [Shevchenko].”
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/2/19/23606027/erin-blanchfield-hopes-for-title-shot-but-definitely-ok-with-fighting-again-if-thats-what-ufc-wants?rand=96749
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