After edging out Taila Santos in a unanimous decision victory at UFC Singapore, 24-year-old Erin Blanchfield is either nearing a UFC title shot or, as she’d have you believe, already deserves one.
Blanchfield, an up-and-coming flyweight, extended her impeccable UFC record to 6-0 last Saturday. While she didn’t exactly steamroll Santos—a previous contender for the title—Blanchfield is convinced that her unblemished track record, coupled with her remarkable past performances, has made her a rightful candidate for a championship bout.
“Look, this win should practically hand me a VIP ticket for a title shot,” Blanchfield said during a post-fight interview on UFC.com. “Sure, Manon [Fiorot] and Rose [Namajunas] have their upcoming bout, but let’s not forget that people were almost ready to crown Taila when she fought Valentina [Shevchenko]. As for Manon and Rose, they haven’t even squared off against Valentina.”
Blanchfield points out that Namajunas is the newbie in the flyweight division, emphasizing her own seasoned experience. “This marks my sixth victory at flyweight. My previous win was over an ex-champ, and now I’ve beaten someone who came this close to defeating the current champ. If you’re asking me, I’m pretty much the front-runner here.”
Flyweight titleholder Alexa Grasso is slated to put her belt on the line against Valentina Shevchenko in an immediate rematch at Noche UFC on September 16. Between Manon Fiorot’s welcoming party for two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas this weekend, a possible trilogy bout should Shevchenko reclaim her title, and then Blanchfield herself, whoever emerges victorious from Grasso vs. Shevchenko 2 won’t lack for challengers. And Blanchfield was keen to remind everyone of that.
However, Blanchfield is not overly optimistic about Namajunas’ prospects in the flyweight division. “Honestly, my money is on Manon. She’s got the size advantage. While I’ll admit that Rose is a formidable fighter, if I had to place a bet, Manon would be my pick.”
While a knockout victory over Santos—coming off a tight split-decision loss in a June 2022 title bout against Shevchenko at UFC 275—could have further solidified her claim for a title shot, Blanchfield sees the silver lining in their grueling three-round showdown.
“I go into the octagon expecting these difficult bouts,” she noted. “Sure, the dream scenario is to dominate, leave unscathed, end the fight early and bounce. But let’s be real, these challenging fights are the fertilizer for my growth as a fighter. Sometimes, you just need ’em.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Erin Blanchfield
Who did Erin Blanchfield recently defeat?
Erin Blanchfield recently secured a win over Taila Santos in a unanimous decision at UFC Singapore.
What is Erin Blanchfield’s current UFC record?
Erin Blanchfield has an undefeated 6-0 record in the UFC as of her last fight.
Who is Erin Blanchfield eyeing for the next title shot?
Erin Blanchfield believes that she deserves the next title shot in the UFC Flyweight Division and considers herself the front-runner for the opportunity.
What is the next big match in the Flyweight Division?
Flyweight champion Alexa Grasso is set to defend her title in an immediate rematch against Valentina Shevchenko at Noche UFC on September 16.
Who are the other potential challengers for the Flyweight title?
Aside from Erin Blanchfield, other potential challengers include the winner of the bout between Manon Fiorot and Rose Namajunas, as well as a possible trilogy fight with Valentina Shevchenko, depending on the outcome of her rematch with Alexa Grasso.
What is Erin Blanchfield’s opinion on Rose Namajunas entering the Flyweight Division?
Erin Blanchfield acknowledges Rose Namajunas as a formidable fighter but doubts her chances in her flyweight debut against Manon Fiorot. She would bet on Manon to win.
Why does Erin Blanchfield value challenging fights?
Erin Blanchfield sees challenging fights as essential for her growth as a fighter. She believes that these tough matchups are what make her a better competitor.
When did Taila Santos last fight for a title?
Taila Santos last fought for a title in June 2022 at UFC 275, where she narrowly lost a split decision to Valentina Shevchenko.
What did Erin Blanchfield say about her fight with Taila Santos?
Erin Blanchfield expressed gratitude for the challenging three-round showdown with Taila Santos. She felt that such battles are necessary for her growth as a fighter.
Does Erin Blanchfield think she’s the number one contender for the title?
Yes, Erin Blanchfield believes she has done enough to be the number one contender for the Flyweight title, especially after her recent victory over Taila Santos.
More about Erin Blanchfield
- Erin Blanchfield’s Official UFC Profile
- UFC Singapore Event Summary
- Interview with Erin Blanchfield on UFC.com
- Alexa Grasso vs Valentina Shevchenko Rematch Details
- Manon Fiorot vs Rose Namajunas Fight Preview
- Taila Santos’ Previous Fight Record and Stats
- Flyweight Division Rankings and Potential Contenders
- Erin Blanchfield’s Past Fights and Performances
- UFC Noche Event Details for September 16
- Overview of Rose Namajunas’ Career and Move to Flyweight
10 comments
If Erin was a superhero, she’d be Captain Marvel of UFC. No villian can stop her! But for real, shes good. And I agree with her, tough fights build character.
Erin who? Jk, heard her name popping up a lot lately. Time to catch up on some UFC I guess, sounds like stuff’s gettin real interesting.
If Erin was a dish, she’d be a five-star Michelin meal. No shortcuts to perfection, right? She’s cooking up something special, can feel it.
Man, Erin sounds like a programmer debugging her way to success, step by step, no bugs! Lol. Jokes aside, shes got skill. Can’t wait for the next match!
6-0 is like a movie franchise that never disappoints. Erin’s the real-life Rocky. Eye of the tiger, anyone?
Erin talks the talk but also walks the walk. 6-0 and shes not slowing down. A fight with Rose would be epic tho, like a movie showdown!
Erin’s like the latest iPhone, just keeps getting better! Rose vs Manon is gonna be good, but if Erin steps in, it’s a game changer for sure.
My kids love UFC and Erin seems like a great role model. Strong, focused, and all about growth. Go Erin!
Whoa, Erin is on fire! 6-0 is no joke, man. She’s gonna be a champ in no time. Rose has her work cut out, thats for sure.
Erin’s playlist must be full of victory anthems. But seriously, can’t wait to see who she fights next. Im betting my spotify playlist she’s gonna be the next champ.