Two days later, Erin Blanchfield is carrying the most important struggle of her profession.
Regardless of the bumps and bruises and ballooning foot, Blanchfield (13-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) is total content material together with her UFC Battle Evening 246 unanimous resolution victory over Rose Namajunas (13-7 MMA, 11-6 UFC) that she thinks moved her one step away from a title shot.
“I used to be comfortable I caught to the sport plan me and my coaches had,” Blanchfield informed MMA Junkie on Monday. “I used to be making an attempt to be extra affected person and discover my strikes and discover my takedowns. The final spherical, we simply tried to come back out more durable and actually push the tempo on her. She was possibly used to that little slower rhythm that I used to be displaying that I haven’t actually completed earlier than. I used to be actually pleased with how I executed that.”
Blanchfield admittedly received off to a gradual begin, however she’s pleased with how she efficiently adjusted to win the ultimate three rounds and in the end the struggle.
“I believe she was tremendous sharp the primary two rounds,” Blanchfield mentioned. “I actually wanted to search out my rhythm. I suppose I used to be struggling to search out my rhythm a little bit bit. I used to be making an attempt to play a little bit little bit of a distinct recreation than possibly what I’m used to. However I didn’t need to run into something. Like, with my earlier struggle, I really feel like I bumped into a variety of strikes, and my takedowns had been fairly apparent. I actually wished to vary that. I believe I used to be discovering my rhythm higher within the third spherical after which was capable of get that takedown. It’s form of a stability of being affected person however then realizing when to go. I believe I form of discovered that within the third spherical.”
After the struggle, Blanchfield had a reputation able to name out for her subsequent UFC look. She respectfully proposed a struggle vs. former champion Alexa Grasso (16-4-1 MMA, 8-4-1 UFC), who isn’t at present booked.
Grasso held gold for a good portion of Blanchfield’s stand up the divisional ladder. Due to that, Blanchfield has stored an in depth eye on the Mexican fighter. From a stylistic standpoint, Blanchfield selfishly likes what she sees.
“I actually like that matchup as a result of she’s one other former champ,” Blanchfield mentioned. “I simply have two former champs on my document now that I’ve received (towards). She doesn’t have a struggle lined up proper now. I simply received my struggle. I do know beating her places me proper in line for a title shot subsequent. I believe there could be no argument that, after whoever the winner of Manon and Valentina is, I ought to get the following shot at after beating somebody like Alexa. That’s in the end why I referred to as her out.”
“… With Alexa, I clearly really feel like my floor recreation is considerably higher, and I really feel like I can actually discover a end there. It’s one other alternative to check my hanging, as properly. She’s an incredible boxer, too, identical to Rose is. I really feel prefer it’d be an excellent problem in all places. I really feel like I can discover my end.”
Whereas champion Valentina Shevchenko’s subsequent transfer isn’t identified (although prime contender Manon Fiorot is ready within the wings), Blanchfield firmly hypothesized the Grasso struggle can be for a title shot ought to it happen.
“One thousand p.c,” Blanchfield mentioned. “I believe the winner of me and Alexa will get the following title shot.”
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