UFC On ESPN 54 Preview

Mar 29

The UFC is invading the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Saturday March 30th. The main event will be in the women’s flyweight division between #2 Erin Blanchfiled and #3 Manon Fiorot, with the winner most likely being the next to challenge for the flyweight title.

Blanchfield is 6-0 in the UFC and she most recently defeated former title challenger Taila Santos by unanimous decision in August. The only loss of her career came back in 2019 by split decision before she entered the UFC.

Does Blanchfield feel this fight will earn her a title shot? “I feel like it definitely should be (a title eliminator),” Blanchfield said. “I’m No. 2, she’s No. 3. The only two girls ahead of us are the girls that have been fighting for the title. So when I win Saturday, I feel like I’m definitely a lock for the title.

“I think you could definitely argue this is like my third No. 1 contender fight. I’m just gaining experience every time. I’m 24 years old fighting super tough girls. I feel like I’m getting so much better from it, and when I do get that title shot, and win that championship, I’ll definitely be a champ.”

How does Blanchfield feel she matches up with Fiorot? “I don’t know (if she’s my toughest test),” Blanchfield said. Every fight is obviously super tough. Everyone in the top five is super tough. We’ve both beat former champions. My last fight was with Taila Santos who some people thought beat Valentina (Shevchenko). We’ve both had tough fights. I think my road’s been a little bit tougher.

“Our records are very similar. She’s long and rangy. I’ve had months to strategize for that and I feel super prepared for this fight and I’m excited to show it off on Saturday.”

Fiorot is also 6-0 in the UFC and most recently defeated former champion Rose Namajunas by unanimous decision in September. She also has win sover former title challengers Katlyn Chookagian, Jennifer Maia, and Mayra Bueno Silva.

Does the French Fighter believe she is next in line for a title shot with a win on Saturday? “You know, obviously, I already deserve two times the title shot, but you know life goes on, sometimes injuries [happen.] That’s the way it is. Of course, I know and I believe the next fight will be the title and I know they have to make the trilogy for the third fight before. I’ll wait: no problem; but the next one is [for] the title,” Fiorot said.

What does Fiorot think of Blanchfield? “No, to be honest it’s not the roughest and the hardest fight for me in my MMA career,” said Fiorot. “Because she didn’t have the same kind of opponents that I had. I had very rough opponent[s], these three last ones were very strong. I have beaten a [former] champ, Rose, who is an amazing fighter so I don’t think it’ll be the hardest.”

While Fiorot is confident, Blanchfield cannot be taken lightly. She has shown in her last two fights that she not only durable, but fully capable of keeping the same frenetic pace for five rounds. Fiorot has proven she has finishing ability, but in order to defeat Blanchfield she will need to be able to deal with constant pressure, something she has not seen in her last five fights.

The Rest of the main card:

Welterweight - #11Vicente Luquevs.Joaquin Buckley

Middleweight - Chris Weidmanvs.Bruno Silva

Middleweight - Nursulton Ruziboevvs.Sedriques Dumas

Featherweight - Bill Algeovs.Kyle Nelson

Welterweight - Chidi Njokuanivs.Rhys McKee

ESPN + Prelims:

Featherweight - Nate Landwehrvs.Jamall Emmers

Women's Strawweight - Virna Jandirobavs.Loopy Godinez

Catchweight - (147.25 lb)Julio Arcevs.Herbert Burns

Featherweight - Dennis Buzukjavs.Connor Matthews

Light HeavyweightIbo - Aslanvs.Anton Turkalj