Erin Blanchfield believes a dominant win over Jessica Andrade ought to earn her a title battle but when that’s not within the playing cards, she gained’t complain.
In her greatest check up to now, the extremely touted flyweight proved she’s able to graduate from prospect to contender after she wanted lower than two rounds to safe a rear-naked choke submission to place away Andrade within the UFC Vegas 69 primary occasion.
Afterwards, Blanchfield instantly known as for the winner of Valentina Shevchenko vs. Alexa Grasso, who battle within the UFC 285 co-main occasion. All issues thought-about, Blanchfield believes her win coupled with the upcoming title battle scheduled on March 4 ought to put her instantly in line for the subsequent shot on the champion, however then once more she’s by no means going to show down one other alternative to battle once more within the meantime.
“I’m positively OK with preventing once more,” Blanchfield stated on the UFC Vegas 69 post-fight press convention. “The title battle’s in two weeks so I believe it may well line up excellent but when they need me to battle once more, I’ll acquire extra expertise.”
Previous to Saturday evening, Blanchfield had put collectively an ideal 4-0 resume within the UFC however she hadn’t confronted anybody inside the highest 10 rankings but so drawing Andrade was an enormous step up in competitors.
By each metric measurable, Blanchfield handed the check as she stood toe-to-toe with Andrade on the ft earlier than ultimately taking the battle to the bottom the place she wrapped up the fight-ending submission.
“Each battle begins standing so I needed to strike and wait to seek out my takedowns,” Blanchfield defined. “I did shoot one or two they usually didn’t work out so I needed to keep standing. I felt comfy there. She hits arduous however I do know I used to be hitting her, too, however I simply needed to work my recreation and await my alternative. She’s a former champ and No. 3 within the weight class so I knew I used to be going to should work for these. The primary one or two may not work however the third one does so I knew that entering into.
“Once I was in that clinch together with her, I felt my overhook was tremendous heavy in order that inside journey was there. Then I bought her down and she or he gave up the again immediately attempting to stand up in order that choke was proper there. She didn’t defend it in any respect. I sunk the choke proper in and I knew even when she stood up, she was going to go out if she did.”
Even earlier than her opponent modified from Taila Santos to Andrade, Blanchfield felt like a title battle might be in her speedy future so she positively had designs on asking for that chance.
Placing Andrade away so impressively simply sealed the deal as Blanchfield known as her shot.
“I all the time consider what I need to say after a win as a result of it may be very emotional and it may be a little bit cloudy however I knew beating somebody like her, particularly if I completed her, that I may deserve that title subsequent,” Blanchfield stated.
With the victory, Blanchfield now turns her full consideration in the direction of Shevchenko vs. Grasso with hopes that she’ll get the winner, though she will be able to’t disguise her desire on who she would relatively face.
“I might positively favor Shevchenko,” Blanchfield stated. “I believe she beats Grasso. Grasso is a tricky fighter however I need to be the one to take that title from [Shevchenko].”
