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Erin Blanchfield is one step nearer to a UFC title shot — or, for those who ask her, there aren’t any extra steps she must take.
The 24-year-old flyweight improved to 6-0 within the UFC on Saturday with a unanimous decision win over one-time title challenger Taila Santos at UFC Singapore. It wasn’t a dominant efficiency by the extremely touted Blanchfield, however given her spotless document contained in the octagon and a few of her excellent previous performances, she believes she’s carried out sufficient to earn a championship alternative.
“This undoubtedly could make me the No. 1 contender for the title shot subsequent,” Blanchfield mentioned in a post-fight interview with UFC.com. “I do know Manon [Fiorot] and Rose [Namajunas] are combating as effectively. However you already know, Taila, folks arguably thought she received that struggle in opposition to Valentina [Shevchenko], and Rose and Manon, neither of them ever fought Valentina.
“Rose is new to the division, so I really feel like that is my sixth win at flyweight and my final win was in opposition to a former champ, and this one was in opposition to somebody who virtually beat the champ, so I really feel like I’m undoubtedly subsequent in line.”
Flyweight champion Alexa Grasso subsequent defends her title in an instantaneous rematch in opposition to Valentina Shevchenko at Noche UFC on Sept. 16. With Manon Fiorot welcoming two-time strawweight champ Rose Namajunas to the 125-pound division this coming Saturday, the opportunity of a trilogy bout if Shevchenko avenges her loss, after which Blanchfield herself, whoever wins Grasso vs. Shevchenko 2 has no scarcity of choices, as Blanchfield identified.
The favored Namajunas may take pole place ought to she win in her flyweight debut, however Blanchfield expects her to have a tricky time in opposition to Fiorot anyway.
“I’ve a sense Manon’s going to win,” Blanchfield mentioned. “She’s just a bit bit larger woman. I believe Rose is a superb fighter and also you by no means know, both woman can win, but when I had a decide, I’d decide Manon.”
Although a end of the hardy Santos — who was combating for the primary time since narrowly dropping cut up resolution in a title struggle in opposition to Shevchenko at UFC 275 in June 2022 — might have bolstered Blanchfield’s case for a title shot, in a way, she’s grateful for a way their three-round contest went.
“I anticipate these robust fights,” Blanchfield mentioned. “I at all times hope to do even higher, simply get in there, don’t get damage in any respect, end the struggle and get out, however robust fights like this are what make you develop, so typically you want them.”
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