Two days later, Erin Blanchfield is sporting the largest combat of her profession.
Regardless of the bumps and bruises and ballooning foot, Blanchfield (13-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) is general content material along with her UFC Battle Evening 246 unanimous determination 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 completely happy I caught to the sport plan me and my coaches had,” Blanchfield informed MMA Junkie on Monday. “I used to be attempting 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 sluggish begin, however she’s pleased with how she efficiently adjusted to win the ultimate three rounds and finally the combat.
“I feel she was tremendous sharp the primary two rounds,” Blanchfield stated. “I actually wanted to seek out my rhythm. I assume I used to be struggling to seek out my rhythm slightly bit. I used to be attempting to play slightly little bit of a distinct sport than possibly what I’m used to. However I didn’t wish to run into something. Like, with my earlier combat, I really feel like I bumped into plenty of strikes, and my takedowns have been fairly apparent. I actually wished to alter that. I feel 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 understanding when to go. I feel I form of discovered that within the third spherical.”
After the combat, Blanchfield had a reputation able to name out for her subsequent UFC look. She respectfully proposed a combat vs. former champion Alexa Grasso (16-4-1 MMA, 8-4-1 UFC), who is just not presently booked.
Grasso held gold for a good portion of Blanchfield’s stand up the divisional ladder. Due to that, Blanchfield has saved 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 stated. “I simply have two former champs on my file now that I’ve received (in opposition to). She doesn’t have a combat lined up proper now. I simply received my combat. I do know beating her places me proper in line for a title shot subsequent. I feel there could be no argument that, after whoever the winner of Manon and Valentina is, I ought to get the subsequent shot at after beating somebody like Alexa. That’s finally why I referred to as her out.”
“… With Alexa, I clearly really feel like my floor sport 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 nicely. She’s an amazing boxer, too, similar to Rose is. I really feel prefer it’d be problem all over the place. I really feel like I can discover my end.”
Whereas champion Valentina Shevchenko’s subsequent transfer is just not recognized (although prime contender Manon Fiorot is ready within the wings), Blanchfield firmly hypothesized the Grasso combat might be for a title shot ought to it happen.
“One thousand p.c,” Blanchfield stated. “I feel the winner of me and Alexa will get the subsequent title shot.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Battle Evening 246.
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