The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s flyweight division should have a clear contender when the dust settles.
Per the UFC on Thursday, Erin Blanchfield (12-1) and Manon Fiorot (11-1) will throw down in a pivotal women’s flyweight pairing on March 30. It has not yet been determined if this matchup will serve as the headliner for the unnumbered UFC on ESPN card that will take place at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It is the first bout announced on its lineup thus far.
Since a contentious split decision setback at Invicta FC 34 fellow future UFC fighter Tracy Cortez, Blanchfield has not looked back, rattling off nine straight wins. Her streak includes six in a row in the Octagon, dispatching the likes of J.J. Aldrich, Molly McCann and Jessica Andrade—all by submission—as she worked her way up the divisional ladder. Most recently, “Cold Blooded” captured a unanimous verdict over former title challenger Taila Santos.
While Blanchfield has strung together nine consecutive victories, France’s Fiorot has emerged victorious in 11 in a row. “The Beast” fell short in her professional debut—losing by close split decision, like her foe—to current featherweight Leah McCourt. Fiorot has also won six straight in the UFC, although her last four have come by decision. Those triumphs on the scorecards included top talents Mayra Bueno Silva, Jennifer Maia, Katlyn Chookagian and Rose Namajunas as she stamped herself as an elite 125er.
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