November 2, 2024 11:00 am ET
Erin Blanchfield and Rose Namajunas meet Saturday within the co-main occasion of UFC Struggle Night time 246 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Try this fast breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.
Final occasion: 1-4 Blanchfield (12-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) returns to motion after her first loss within the UFC, which got here in opposition to Manon Fiorot in a March fundamental occasion conflict. The flyweight title hopeful received her first six UFC bouts, together with stoppages of JJ Aldrich, Molly McCann and former strawweight champ Jessica Andrade. … Standing in Blanchfield’s means will likely be one other former 115-pound champ, Namajunas (13-6 MMA, 11-5 UFC). “Thug’s” final loss additionally got here in opposition to Fiorot final September in her flyweight debut. Since then, Namajunas rebounded with a pair of unanimous resolution wins over Amanda Ribas and Tracy Cortez, bringing her 125-pound UFC file to 2-1.
The co-main occasion in Canada is a crucial ladies’s bantamweight bout between Blanchfield and Namajunas.
Regardless of one fighter coming off a win and the opposite coming off of a loss, I just like the matchmaking right here. Namajunas has regarded a lot more healthy up at flyweight, so I’m nonetheless leaving some room to be shocked about having an announcement efficiency on this division.
Blanchfield, alternatively, is coming off her first loss in a very long time and will likely be trying to present out in an necessary bounce-back spot.
From a stylistic perspective, I consider Blanchfield ought to have a simple path on this battle.
So long as Blanchfield doesn’t get caught outdoors of Namajunas’ jab, then the New Jersey native’s constant work price and grappling stress ought to be capable to tip the tempo and scorecards in her favor.
Namajunas has the hanging and wrestling to maintain Blanchfield off of her, however the former strawweight champ nonetheless exhibits some lapses in focus throughout five-round affairs.
The choose is Blanchfield by resolution.
The oddsmakers and public favor the youthful fighter, itemizing Blanchfield -138 and Namajunas +112 by way of FanDuel.
Because the co-main occasion, Blanchfield and Namajunas are anticipated to stroll to the cage at roughly 10:05 p.m. ET (7:05 p.m. PT). The battle will stream on ESPN+.
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Fight Night 246. Remember to go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of combined martial arts.
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