Erin Blanchfield shone when the lights were the brightest in her entire career.
The former strawweight champion Jessica Andrade (24-9 MMA, 15-7 UFC) was submitted by Blanchfield (11-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) with a rear-naked choke at the 1:37 mark of Round 2 in the UFC Fight Night 219 main event on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Blanchfield was competing in her maiden main event and her first match against a top female flyweight competitor. Despite being on stage, Blanchfield didn’t appear to mind the attention.
She debunked early claims made by certain commentators that the fight was purely a striker vs. grappler contest. Blanchfield hit Andrade with her boxing after using her jab. By the end of the round, Andrade had sent back some powerful blows of her own, but it took her a little longer to get her bearings.
In Round 2, an Andrade combination busted Blanchfield. Blanchfield quickly transitioned to side control after dragging the bout to the ground. Blanchfield eagerly accepted Andrade’s bare back once she rolled to her stomach. After flattening the hips, Blanchfield gripped her opponent’s neck and won the tap.
The 23-year-old Blanchfield has typically shown no interest in her opponents or contests during her career. However, Blanchfield demanded a title fight against the victor of champion Valentina Shevchenko vs. Alexa Grasso, a contest set for March 4 at UFC 285 in Las Vegas, in her largest in-cage interview to date.
A beautiful finish from Erin Blanchfield. Elite. #UFCVegas69 pic.twitter.com/f0AlTUl2gN
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) February 19, 2023
UFC Vegas 69: Erin Blanchfield vs Jessica Andrade
- Erin Blanchfield def. Jessica Andrade via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2,
- Zac Pauga def. Jordan Wright via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Jamal Pogues def. Josh Parisian via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Marcin Prachnio def. William Knight via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Alexander Hernandez def. Jim Miller via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Nazim Sadykhov def. Evan Elder via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 3, 0:38
- Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Lina Lansberg via submission (kneebar) – Round 2, 4:45
- Jamall Emmers def. Khusein Askhabov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Philipe Lins def. Ovince Saint Preux via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:49
- A.J. Fletcher def. Themba Takura Gorimbo via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 1:37
- Clayton Carpenter def. Juancamilo Ronderos via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:13
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