A fun and interesting bout headlines Saturday’s UFC Fight Night event, as Jessica Andrade meets Erin Blanchfield.
The event takes place live on ESPN+ from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Ironically enough, it wasn’t anywhere in the plans for either to face the other or event be in the headline role.
Originally, former interim UFC bantamweight champion Cory Sandhagen and Marlon Vera were to main event. However, that bout was moved to an ESPN card scheduled for March.
UFC officials moved to pair Blanchfield with former flyweight title challenger Taila Santos, but announced last week that Santos was out and Andrade was in.
For Blanchfield, this has turned into a much, much bigger fight.
Andrade held the UFC strawweight title and is tied for the most finishes in that division with Rose Namajunas and Amanda Lemos. Her three knockouts are at the top and she is tied with Amanda Nunes for most wins in UFC women’s history at 15.
All in all, Andrade has fought 22 times inside the Octagon and owns nine fight-night bonuses and is the only woman to win in three weight classes.
She has reeled off three consecutive wins, including a January victory over Lauren Murphy.
The 23-year-old Blanchfield is stepping up to the big leagues. She has won each of her four UFC bouts, including a November submission of Molly McCann.
Blanchfield’s only loss came back in 2019 via split decision in Invicta FC to Tracy Cortez.
The card also features Jordan Wright vs. Zac Pauga and Josh Parisian vs. Jamal Pogues.
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