NEW YORK – Erin Blanchfield is back in the title race after UFC 322.
Blanchfield (14-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) submitted Tracy Cortez (12-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC) in Saturday’s flyweight prelim bout at Madison Square Garden. She managed to avenge her split decision loss to Cortez in 2019, when both were under the Invicta FC banner.
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After suffering her first octagon loss to Manon Fiorot in March 2024, Blanchfield has now won back-to-back fights over former champion Rose Namajunas and Cortez.
“I’d love a title shot,” Blanchfield told MMA Junkie and other reporters during the post-fight news conference. “Valetina and Weili are fighting tonight. I got a big finish on the same card. I think it just makes sense. I’ve been in the top five for a couple years now. I’ve had some big finishes. I think it makes sense.”
Flyweight champion Shevchenko (26-4-1 MMA, 15-3-1 UFC) retained her title in a dominant win over Zhang Weili later in the night. Also in the running are Fiorot, and the streaking Natalia Silva, who is 7-0 in the UFC after defeating former champ Alexa Grasso.
However, Blanchfield isn’t worried about the title race.
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“You never know,” Blanchfield said. “So many things change in MMA – who’s ready and when it can happen. So I’ll just be ready for a title shot when it comes.”
Whether or not she’s next for Shevchenko, Blanchfield knows that winning solves everything.
“I think when you win fights, things will come to you,” Blanchfield said. “So you just need to keep winning, and be undeniable.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UDC 322: Erin Blanchfield makes case for title shot after finish
