The 23 year old Blanchfield might be the best overall prospect in the UFC right now, and I don’t say that lightly.
A dangerous Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt who has shown her will and ability to stump her feet when necessary, Blanchfield enters her showdown with Molly McCann on Saturday with a 9-1 record with wins in her three U.S. appearances. UFC and six total wins in a row. She beat future UFC contenders Kay Hansen and Victoria Leonardo, as well as TUF 30 runner-up Brogan Walker on her way to the Octagon, and her only loss came via debated split decision against fellow rising flyweight Tracy. Cortez.
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In her second UFC appearance, Blanchfield dominated Miranda Maverick, and last time out in June she changed the tone of her fight with JJ Aldrich midway through the second round. One second she’s being outmatched by the savviest and most experienced veteran, and the next she’s capitalizing on Aldrich’s one mistake and wrapping his neck around.
It’s the kind of little moments that separate great prospects from good prospects, and for Blanchfield, acknowledging opportunity, attacking and finishing shows just how talented she already is.