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In an ideal world, Erin Blanchfield wins her Saturday battle towards Manon Fiorot at UFC Atlantic City after which cruises proper right into a flyweight title shot.
Sadly, reigning UFC flyweight champion Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko are presently tied up teaching the following season of The Final Fighter, and all indicators level towards a September showdown for his or her trilogy bout. With Blanchfield preventing on the finish of March, she could have to attend not less than six months for decision between Grasso and Shevchenko, which suggests her potential title shot could not even come till early 2025.
None of that rattles Blanchfield an excessive amount of, nevertheless it’s removed from a really perfect state of affairs with Grasso and Shevchenko more likely to tie up the division for the higher a part of two years.
“I really feel like everybody round me was somewhat bit [disappointed], however I wanted to remain targeted on what’s in entrance of me,” Blanchfield instructed MMA Combating. “Manon’s in entrance of me. She’s a stable fighter. I can’t let issues distract me. I have to put all my focus into that.
“So I positively plan on profitable in a terrific trend on March 30 after which seeing what occurs after that. There’s all the time going to be fights. I do know I’m on the high of the division. It could possibly be more durable as a result of there’s much less folks, however you can also make issues occur. I’m not petrified of preventing anyone else or shedding my place. I’m tremendous assured, whoever they put in entrance of me, I’m beating. I do know I’ll preserve my place till a title battle is obtainable.”
In principle, Blanchfield persevering with to take fights places her at larger danger of by no means getting the title shot. Something might occur in these matchups. Shedding sits on the high of the checklist, however accidents and different points might come up that will cease Blanchfield from reaching her final purpose of changing into UFC champion.
It’d look like a bet, nevertheless it’s one Blanchfield is prepared to take. At age 24, she is aware of there’s a whole lot of street nonetheless forward of her. She will’t enable herself to get so fixated on the title that it takes years off her profession.
As an alternative, Blanchfield prefers to remain energetic and busy, even when meaning taking up challenges that don’t essentially take advantage of sense as a title shot looms on the horizon.
“I really feel like if I used to be at an analyst perspective and it wasn’t me in it, I really feel like I’d be extra mad for myself,” Blanchfield stated. “I really feel like since I’m in it, I have to hold myself settled and keep targeted on what I can do. Take the fights I can, win the fights I can, make the cash I can.
“It positively is annoying having the trilogy cycle they’ve occurring, however all I can do is hold preventing the fighters which might be nonetheless there. Every part will get settled. They’ll battle and it’ll get squared away. I’ll have my battle that’s arising. If I’ve to battle once more earlier than then, I’ll battle Maycee [Barber] or no matter they need, make some more cash and win a title. It’s coming. Maintain profitable and it’s going to come back.”
In relation to the matchup with Fiorot, Blanchfield has no doubts that she’ll hold her undefeated UFC file intact.
As a famous striker, Fiorot additionally boasts an ideal résumé since becoming a member of the roster, although Blanchfield believes her personal street has been extra telling.
“I do really feel like I’ve fought harder competitors than her,” Blanchfield stated. “I really feel like that’s why I’m No. 2 and he or she’s No. 3. I really feel like beating Taila [Santos], someone that lots of people thought beat Valentina [Shevchenko], after which beating [Jessica] Andrade, who’s only a tremendous sport fighter — she’s beating Rose [Namajunas] earlier than, [not] in devastating trend. I really feel like I’ve crushed higher fighters in my profession, though Manon, she’s crushed nice fighters too, however I really feel like my résumé is extra spectacular.”
Regardless of the way it occurs, a win ought to cement Blanchfield because the No. 1 flyweight contender, even when she finally ends up taking one other battle earlier than getting a title shot. That being stated, the 24-year-old New Jersey native needs to depart no doubts about her place within the division and the particular person most deserving at a future alternative to turn out to be champion.
“I don’t plan for it to go 5 rounds,” Blanchfield stated. “I do know each time I’ve been in a three-round battle, I’ve by no means misplaced that third spherical and I’ve all the time come after them even more durable. I’ve come near finishes in third rounds. I believe with two additional rounds with my cardio, I don’t see it going 5 rounds. I believe I put her away.
“I positively do imagine model counts. It’s not solely profitable, it’s the way you win. I really feel like even with my Jessica Andrade battle, I used to be No. 10 and I moved up actually fast as a result of folks had been much more impressed with how I beat her. It wasn’t a five-round slugfest the place I barely gained. No, I got here in and I completed her. So positively placing on an announcement win is all the time the purpose with each battle. I believe that ought to be everyone’s purpose at each stage, as a result of that can solely push you that a lot additional.”
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