Career Averages - Erin Blanchfield
Career Averages - Rose Namajunas
Erin Blanchfield - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 52 of 116 | 44% | 65 of 134 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 1 | 2:43 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 46 of 104 | 44% | 50 of 108 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 43 of 92 | 46% | 43 of 92 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 32 of 76 | 42% | 33 of 77 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 9 of 24 | 37% | 22 of 42 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 1 | 2:43 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 14 of 28 | 50% | 17 of 31 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Blanchfield | 52 of 116 | 44% | 38 of 100 | 6 of 8 | 8 of 8 | 51 of 115 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 46 of 104 | 44% | 35 of 88 | 7 of 12 | 4 of 4 | 45 of 100 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erin Blanchfield | 43 of 92 | 46% | 32 of 80 | 5 of 6 | 6 of 6 | 42 of 91 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 32 of 76 | 42% | 25 of 64 | 4 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 31 of 72 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Erin Blanchfield | 9 of 24 | 37% | 6 of 20 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 14 of 28 | 50% | 10 of 24 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Erin Blanchfield despite considering Tracy Cortez's wrestling. He values Blanchfield's relentless pressure and scrambling ability. He notes Cortez is often at events and may not be training enough. He suggests over 2.5 rounds and a plus 3.5 bet on Cortez as possibilities.
Big Brady leans Erin Blanchfield, believing her grappling advantage will be decisive. He notes Tracy Cortez has only 62% takedown defense and has been taken down multiple times by Rose Namajunas and others. Brady thinks Blanchfield's top control and submission skills are superior once the fight hits the ground, and predicts a decision win. He acknowledges the line is wide and a case can be made for Cortez.
Cody picks Blanchfield, noting that she has improved significantly since their first fight six years ago, especially her striking. He points out that Cortez has not evolved and has been inactive. Cody believes Blanchfield's wrestling and pressure will be too much, and she will win by decision. He also mentions that Blanchfield is younger and more motivated.
Connor also leans toward Cortez, agreeing with Zane. He notes that Cortez is an inch taller than Blanchfield, which is surprising, and that Blanchfield's aggressive style may lead to her giving things away. He thinks Cortez can win out scrambles and that Blanchfield's one-size-fits-all approach may not work.
Daniel sees Blanchfield as the more evolved fighter since their first fight, with relentless pressure and a never-quit attitude. He notes that Cortez struggles when she is the nail, while Blanchfield has shown she can overcome adversity. He expects Blanchfield to avenge her loss and continue her rise.
Lucrative James picks Erin Blanchfield to win, citing her superior grappling and submission skills. He believes Cortez will engage in wrestling, which plays into Blanchfield's strengths, as she is a better MMA grappler and dangerous from top position. He notes Blanchfield's ability to submit opponents from any position, as seen in her previous win over Cortez. He expects Blanchfield to win via submission or dominant decision.
Blanchfield lands bigger shots on the feet and eventually lands takedowns for control and BJJ superiority. Cortez may be the better wrestler on paper, but Blanchfield gets her hand raised on the scorecards.
Paul agrees with Cody, emphasizing that Blanchfield's striking has improved the most. He notes that Cortez's takedown defense is not great and that Blanchfield will likely control the fight. Paul also mentions that Blanchfield has a home-field advantage and that the fight will likely go to decision. He likes the over 2.5 rounds prop.
The Guru picks Erin Blanchfield to win by 29-28 decision. He believes Blanchfield's grappling and physicality will be decisive, though she may lose the first round. He criticizes Cortez's focus on appearance (fake eyelashes) and notes Blanchfield's win over Rose Namajunas as a better benchmark. Blanchfield should mix in takedowns and control later rounds.
Zane leans toward Cortez, noting that Cortez has a win over Blanchfield and is a very good scrambler and grappler. He thinks Blanchfield's aggressive style might play into Cortez's hands, as Cortez is comfortable in scrambles. However, he admits it's hard to get a grip on Cortez and that she is still developing.
Angelo picks Erin Blanchfield, expecting her to move forward, absorb strikes, and get the fight to the ground where she can dominate. He notes that Maycee Barber's takedown defense is midlevel (53%) and that Blanchfield is tough and relentless. He predicts a decision win for Blanchfield, though she may have close calls.
Big Brady picks Erin Blanchfield, citing her superior grappling and Barber's poor takedown defense (50%). He notes that Barber has been taken down by lesser fighters like Roxanne Modafferi and Andrea Lee. He believes Blanchfield will have no trouble taking Barber down and controlling her on the ground, leading to a decision win.
Connor picks Barber based on a gut feeling that Barber is the kind of fighter who does not wilt under pressure, unlike the opponents Blanchfield has thrived against. He argues that Blanchfield's entire style relies on breaking opponents' spirits, but Barber's confidence and aggression make her unlikely to fade. Connor also notes that Barber's improved striking and ability to adjust could allow her to win exchanges on the feet, and that Blanchfield's grappling opportunities may be limited if Barber can get back to her feet.
Matt picks Erin Blanchfield to win by decision. He notes that Blanchfield's wrestling and top pressure will be the difference, as Barber lacks the footwork and movement of Manon Fiorot to keep Blanchfield at bay. Blanchfield should get takedowns and grind out a decision, though submission props are also intriguing.
The MMA Guru picks Erin Blanchfield by decision, citing her pressure and takedowns. He notes Andrea Lee took Barber down five times, and Blanchfield is better. He believes the Apex benefits Blanchfield and that Barber's movement won't be as effective. He predicts a competitive five-rounder with Blanchfield winning via grappling.
Zane picks Blanchfield because he believes Barber's clinch-heavy style will give Blanchfield too many opportunities to take the fight to the ground, where Blanchfield's exceptional top control is a major advantage. He notes that Barber has improved her striking and adjustments, but her tendency to explode into the clinch plays into Blanchfield's strengths. Zane also points out that Blanchfield's pressure and volume could overwhelm Barber, though he acknowledges Barber's durability and confidence.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 110 of 281 | 39% | 193 of 387 | 2 of 8 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 8:54 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 94 of 245 | 38% | 101 of 254 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 19 of 68 | 27% | 19 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 30 of 61 | 49% | 30 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 25 of 67 | 37% | 28 of 70 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 23 of 65 | 35% | 26 of 69 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 | |
| 3 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 11 of 28 | 39% | 48 of 82 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:38 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 9 of 21 | 42% | 10 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 40 of 93 | 43% | 43 of 97 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:53 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 25 of 79 | 31% | 25 of 80 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 | |
| 5 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 15 of 25 | 60% | 55 of 70 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 4:08 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 7 of 19 | 36% | 10 of 22 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Blanchfield | 110 of 281 | 39% | 81 of 248 | 15 of 16 | 14 of 17 | 103 of 269 | 2 of 6 | 5 of 6 |
| Rose Namajunas | 94 of 245 | 38% | 68 of 212 | 18 of 24 | 8 of 9 | 91 of 241 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erin Blanchfield | 19 of 68 | 27% | 11 of 58 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 6 | 19 of 68 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 30 of 61 | 49% | 22 of 52 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 6 | 30 of 61 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Erin Blanchfield | 25 of 67 | 37% | 21 of 61 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 4 | 25 of 65 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 23 of 65 | 35% | 17 of 58 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 22 of 64 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Erin Blanchfield | 11 of 28 | 39% | 7 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 24 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 2 |
| Rose Namajunas | 9 of 21 | 42% | 7 of 18 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Erin Blanchfield | 40 of 93 | 43% | 29 of 82 | 6 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 40 of 93 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 25 of 79 | 31% | 16 of 67 | 8 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 25 of 78 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Erin Blanchfield | 15 of 25 | 60% | 13 of 23 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 4 |
| Rose Namajunas | 7 of 19 | 36% | 6 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Rose Namajunas confidently, calling her an all-time great and a better striker than Erin Blanchfield. He notes Blanchfield's inability to get takedowns was exposed against Manon Fiorot, and without that, she is stuck in a striking match with a superior striker. He thinks five rounds help Rose, as she can afford to lose a round if taken down. He placed a half unit bet on Rose at plus 100 (even money).
Big Brady picks Rose Namajunas to win by decision. He questions Erin Blanchfield's wrestling, noting her low takedown accuracy (33%) and failure to take down opponents like Fiorot and Santos. He believes on the feet, Rose is clearly superior, and even if taken down, Rose's scrambling is good. Brady likes the plus money and thinks the big cage favors Rose.
Cody picks Rose Namajunas as an underdog, arguing that Blanchfield's takedown struggles against Manon Fiorot (0 for 3) and Taila Santos (0 for 14) show she can't reliably take down elite grapplers. He believes Rose's striking, footwork, and takedown defense will keep the fight standing, where she has the advantage. He also notes Rose's experience in five-round fights and her ability to mix in takedowns herself.
Daniel Vreeland picks Erin Blanchfield to win, arguing that the line is influenced by recency bias from Blanchfield's loss to Manon Fiorot. He points out that Rose Namajunas has poor takedown defense (under 60%) compared to Fiorot's 93%, and that Blanchfield's grappling is a different level—she can take the back and submit opponents. Vreeland expects Blanchfield to pressure Namajunas, get takedowns, and potentially finish via ground-and-pound or submission.
Lucrative James picks Erin Blanchfield to win inside the distance, emphasizing her grappling advantage. He notes Rose has been taken down in recent fights and that Blanchfield's wrestling will be decisive. He believes Rose has lost some athleticism and that Blanchfield can finish via submission, likely a rear-naked choke.
Namajunas has shown tremendous defensive grappling improvements, and that will get her a victory over Blanchfield. She will win at least three of the five rounds by out-pointing and out-damaging Blanchfield, winning on the scorecards and positioning herself for a title shot.
Paul sides with Rose but is less confident, expecting a close split decision. He notes that Blanchfield's path to victory is through takedowns, but Rose has shown improved takedown defense and can win on the feet. He mentions the common opponent Jessica Andrade, where Rose won by decision and Blanchfield by submission, but sees the fight as competitive. He plans to bet the split decision prop rather than the moneyline.
The Guru picks Rose Namajunas over Erin Blanchfield, calling Blanchfield overrated. He praises Namajunas's technical skills, scrambles, and wrestling reactions. He notes Blanchfield's poor performance against Manon Fiorot and believes Namajunas will win as an underdog.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manon Fiorot | 0 | 130 of 386 | 33% | 135 of 394 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:48 |
| Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 172 of 359 | 47% | 181 of 369 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:53 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manon Fiorot | 0 | 21 of 58 | 36% | 22 of 60 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:27 |
| Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 28 of 57 | 49% | 30 of 59 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:46 | |
| 2 | Manon Fiorot | 0 | 21 of 77 | 27% | 22 of 78 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 27 of 61 | 44% | 27 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 3 | Manon Fiorot | 0 | 24 of 68 | 35% | 24 of 69 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 29 of 70 | 41% | 29 of 70 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 | |
| 4 | Manon Fiorot | 0 | 37 of 98 | 37% | 38 of 99 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 46 of 85 | 54% | 47 of 86 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Manon Fiorot | 0 | 27 of 85 | 31% | 29 of 88 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:21 |
| Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 42 of 86 | 48% | 48 of 92 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manon Fiorot | 130 of 386 | 33% | 80 of 318 | 25 of 40 | 25 of 28 | 124 of 371 | 6 of 15 | 0 of 0 |
| Erin Blanchfield | 172 of 359 | 47% | 143 of 321 | 18 of 25 | 11 of 13 | 167 of 346 | 5 of 13 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manon Fiorot | 21 of 58 | 36% | 14 of 48 | 3 of 6 | 4 of 4 | 21 of 55 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Erin Blanchfield | 28 of 57 | 49% | 25 of 52 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 3 | 25 of 53 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Manon Fiorot | 21 of 77 | 27% | 11 of 64 | 6 of 8 | 4 of 5 | 19 of 70 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Erin Blanchfield | 27 of 61 | 44% | 18 of 50 | 6 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 26 of 57 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Manon Fiorot | 24 of 68 | 35% | 15 of 52 | 6 of 11 | 3 of 5 | 21 of 65 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Erin Blanchfield | 29 of 70 | 41% | 24 of 64 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 29 of 68 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Manon Fiorot | 37 of 98 | 37% | 22 of 81 | 8 of 10 | 7 of 7 | 37 of 97 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Erin Blanchfield | 46 of 85 | 54% | 40 of 78 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 46 of 83 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Manon Fiorot | 27 of 85 | 31% | 18 of 73 | 2 of 5 | 7 of 7 | 26 of 84 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Erin Blanchfield | 42 of 86 | 48% | 36 of 77 | 4 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 41 of 85 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Blanchfield (-192), Fiorot (+160)
Round 1
A possible shot at the flyweight title is on the line here as Blanchfield and Fiorot bring their dueling six-fight Octagon winning streaks into the “UFC Atlantic City” main event. Drawing the final referee assignment of the evening is Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro. Fiorot is southpaw, Blanchfield orthodox. Fiorot sticks out the jab early. Blanchfield throws a body kick, but takes a lefty counter upstairs. Fiorot changes levels, hoists Blanchfield into the air and slams her to the canvas. Blanchfield grabs a guillotine and it’s tight. Fiorot tries to get out of Blanchfield’s guard and to safety, and Blanchfield gets to her feet, still holding the choke. They fight out the position against the cage, Fiorot fighting the hands as Blanchfield tries to tighten the choke. Blanchfield finally gives up on the submission and they split and reset in the middle of the cage. Fiorot works with the jab again, keeping the shorter woman on the outside. Blanchfield throws a high kick that glances off the chest and arms of Fiorot. Blanchfield backs Fiorot up to the fence with a string of punches, then grabs a body lock and tries to take her down. She can’t get the takedown, and eats a sharp right hand on the break. The horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Round 2
Blanchfield bounces into range, trying to get past Fiorot’s jab, but Fiorot is wise to it. Blanchfield throws a body kick that glances off the arms. Blanchfield steps in and uses a body lock and trip to take Fiorot down. She succeeds, but Fiorot uses muscle and balance to sweep her and land on top, then stands and makes Blanchfield follow. Fiorot lands a karate-style side kick to the lead leg of Blanchfield, stopping her forward progress. Blanchfield steps in and grabs another body lock, and again Fiorot just kind of muscles her away. Fiorot steps inside a punch to clinch, then throws a knee as they separate. Blanchfield is relentless in her forward movement, but Fiorot is doing a brilliant job so far of using jabs and low kicks to keep her outside, or collapsing the distance and clinching when she gets in. The horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Round 3
Blanchfield swings her way into the pocket and lands a couple of punches. Fiorot makes some space between them and meets Blanchfield’s next entry with a downward low kick. Blanchfield shoves into the clinch, and Fiorot simply tosses her by, throwing her toward the fence. Blanchfield draws a jab out of Fiorot and counters with a nice straight. Blanchfield is finding some success landing her right hand over Fiorot’s left. Blanchfield charges in, and once again Fiorot just kind of flings her on her way. Blanchfield spins down to one knee before turning to re-engage. Blanchfield is bleeding from a small cut outside her left eye, though the blood is thankfully not running into the eye. Blanchfield clinches, and while Fiorot shucks her off, Blanchfield connects with a nice short right on the way out. Under a minute to go, and the Atlantic City crowd is audibly restive. Fiorot meets a Blanchfield charge with a hard knee up the middle. The horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Round 4
The main event rounds open with Blanchfield again coming forward aggressively, swinging hooks with both hands. Again, Fiorot meets her calmly with the jab and leg kick. Blanchfield, perhaps knowing that she needs to do something big, throws caution to the wind, charging into the pocket and swinging away. Fiorot gives ground, her composure momentarily shaken, and Blanchfield lands a couple of solid punches. They clinch and Fiorot grabs a body lock, considers hoisting Blanchfield for another slam, but can’t complete it and they separate. Two minutes to go in the round and Blanchfield is still the aggressor, but Fiorot is back to managing the distance and keeping the shorter woman on the outside. With under 30 seconds to go, Fiorot catches Blanchfield coming in with a kick to the body, stopping her in her tracks. The 10-second clapper sounds, and neither woman lands anything of substance before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Round 5
Blanchfield’s corner sends her back out with the instruction, “You need a f***in’ finish,” mirroring our scorecards here at Sherdog. Blanchfield comes out throwing with abandon, and lands a head kick that staggers the Frenchwoman. Fiorot recovers quickly, but damage was done. Fiorot enters the pocket and Fiorot shoves her with both hands, dropping her to her seat. Blanchfield is trying to walk Fiorot down, perhaps corral her against the fence, but Fiorot is wise to it and continues to dominate the distance battle. Fiorot’s lead left hook is finding the American’s head on the entry or exit from almost every exchange. Blanchfield marches forward, but Fiorot meets her with a one-two that snaps her head back. Blanchfield pushes through, clinches and shoves Fiorot into the cage with under a minute left. They disengage and Fiorot, far from sitting on her lead, throws a flying knee at the oncoming Blanchfield. Blanchfield misses with a high kick and Fiorot throws a spinning attack that ends in a collision. The final horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot (50-45 Fiorot)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot (50-45 Fiorot)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot (50-45 Fiorot)
The Official Result
Manon Fiorot def. Erin Blanchfield via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
Angelo picks Manon Fiorot but is not very confident. He cites Fiorot's striking power and 91% takedown defense, contrasting with Blanchfield's poor takedown attempts in her last fight. He worries that Blanchfield's toughness and forward pressure could trouble Fiorot. He notes underdogs have won 66% of main events in 2024.
Big Brady picks Manon Fiorot to win by decision, taking the underdog. He sees it as a close fight that likely goes the distance. He favors Fiorot in the striking early, but worries about Blanchfield's pressure and grappling later. He notes Blanchfield's takedown accuracy is low and Fiorot's takedown defense is elite. Brady expects a split decision where Fiorot does better work early.
Cody sees Fiorot as a live underdog due to her takedown defense and counter-striking. He notes Blanchfield's recent struggles with takedowns (0 for 14 against Santos) and believes Fiorot can keep the fight standing and outpoint her. However, he admits it's more of a price play and not a high-confidence pick.
Daniel Vreeland picks Manon Fiorot at plus money, stating he bet her at +170. He believes Fiorot is very disciplined, won't get carried away, and can frustrate Blanchfield by staying on the feet and using her movement. He notes that Fiorot has survived takedowns before (e.g., against Jennifer Maia) and that Blanchfield's wrestling isn't elite. He acknowledges Blanchfield's submission threat but thinks Fiorot can avoid being finished and win a decision.
James sees this as a 50/50 fight due to the unknowns of whether Blanchfield can get takedowns against Andrade. He notes Blanchfield's grappling is elite but her striking defense is poor, while Andrade has one-punch power and strong clinch work. He leans Blanchfield because of her youth and potential to get takedowns in later rounds, but is not confident. He mentions Blanchfield at +150 offers value.
Fiorot's takedown defense and movement are key; she has only been controlled for 1:40 in 77 minutes of UFC cage time. Blanchfield's takedown success has plummeted (2 of 22 in last 4 fights), and she gets hit often. Fiorot's lateral movement and ability to pivot off Blanchfield's entries should allow her to land straight shots and avoid prolonged grappling. The fight resembles Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman where the wrestler fails on takedowns and eats damage. Fiorot by decision is the most likely outcome, though the last two rounds could be close.
Paul agrees with Cody that Fiorot is a live underdog, citing Blanchfield's takedown struggles and Fiorot's technical striking. He mentions the close fight with Rose Namajunas as a reference but admits he doesn't feel great about it, calling it a 'dog or pass' situation.
The host picks Erin Blanchfield to win by decision. He believes Blanchfield's takedown attempts and aggression will be key, especially in a five-round fight. He notes that Fiorot may struggle to stuff takedowns over five rounds and that Blanchfield is willing to shoot repeatedly. He also sees opportunities for Blanchfield to take Fiorot's back when Fiorot turns after combinations. He predicts a 49-46 decision, with Blanchfield losing one round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 61 of 128 | 47% | 119 of 210 | 0 of 14 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 8:08 |
| Taila Santos | 0 | 55 of 151 | 36% | 96 of 202 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 26 of 55 | 47% | 36 of 69 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:22 |
| Taila Santos | 0 | 25 of 71 | 35% | 31 of 80 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 | |
| 2 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 9 of 18 | 50% | 34 of 58 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 4:01 |
| Taila Santos | 0 | 11 of 24 | 45% | 32 of 48 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 3 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 26 of 55 | 47% | 49 of 83 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:45 |
| Taila Santos | 0 | 19 of 56 | 33% | 33 of 74 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Blanchfield | 61 of 128 | 47% | 37 of 99 | 18 of 23 | 6 of 6 | 43 of 102 | 17 of 24 | 1 of 2 |
| Taila Santos | 55 of 151 | 36% | 28 of 118 | 9 of 15 | 18 of 18 | 46 of 133 | 9 of 18 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erin Blanchfield | 26 of 55 | 47% | 16 of 45 | 7 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 20 of 49 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Taila Santos | 25 of 71 | 35% | 13 of 56 | 5 of 8 | 7 of 7 | 21 of 63 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Erin Blanchfield | 9 of 18 | 50% | 3 of 9 | 4 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 9 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 2 |
| Taila Santos | 11 of 24 | 45% | 5 of 16 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 19 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Erin Blanchfield | 26 of 55 | 47% | 18 of 45 | 7 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 44 | 8 of 11 | 0 of 0 |
| Taila Santos | 19 of 56 | 33% | 10 of 46 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 7 | 17 of 51 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo acknowledges Blanchfield's grappling and improved striking, but leans toward Santos because of her power, technical striking, and BJJ. He questions whether Blanchfield can get takedowns against Santos, and if she can't, Santos will light her up. He notes that Blanchfield is a surprising 2-to-1 favorite and thinks the fight should be closer to even money.
Big Brady is torn on this fight, acknowledging both fighters are championship caliber. He favors Blanchfield due to her youth, activity, and improvements, especially in striking. He questions Santos's mental toughness, citing her excuses after the Valentina fight and pulling out of this fight earlier. He expects a close fight and picks Blanchfield by decision, but with low confidence.
Cody picks Blanchfield due to her youth, improving skills, and superior cardio. He believes her wrestling and pressure will wear down Santos, who he sees as a step down from the elite. Cody expects a close decision or late submission.
Daniel picks Erin Blanchfield, praising her mean streak and relentless pressure. He notes that Santos is more physical and a better striker, but Blanchfield's grappling and cardio will take over in later rounds. He mentions that Blanchfield is a lifelong black belt and has a strong chin. He is confident she wins, though he thinks the price is accurate and not a value bet.
James picks Erin Blanchfield, citing her continuous improvement, will to win, and superior grappling chain. He believes she can get takedowns on Santos and dominate on the mat, potentially submitting her. He acknowledges Santos' size and power but thinks Blanchfield's pace and cardio will be decisive. He also notes Santos' inactivity and the emotional letdown from the title loss.
The host acknowledges Taila Santos' strength and performance against Valentina Shevchenko, but believes Blanchfield's technical grappling and top control will be the difference. He notes Blanchfield's dominant win over Jessica Andrade and her ability to pass guard and maintain top position. The host expects a grueling fight but picks Blanchfield by decision.
Paul sides with Blanchfield, noting her grappling advantage and potential to get takedowns. He acknowledges Santos' close fight with Shevchenko but thinks Blanchfield's youth and improvement give her the edge. Paul is not fully confident but leans Blanchfield.
The MMA Guru picks Erin Blanchfield over Taila Santos, citing Blanchfield's youth (6-year age difference) and likely improvement. He believes Blanchfield has better grappling, scrambles, and crisper stand-up, though Santos may have a power advantage. He notes Santos' close fight with Valentina Shevchenko but thinks Blanchfield's activity and conditioning will win. He predicts a competitive 29-28 decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 53 of 143 | 37% | 56 of 147 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jéssica Andrade | 0 | 51 of 120 | 42% | 53 of 124 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 1:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 40 of 106 | 37% | 43 of 110 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jéssica Andrade | 0 | 44 of 100 | 44% | 46 of 104 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:39 | |
| 2 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 13 of 37 | 35% | 13 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jéssica Andrade | 0 | 7 of 20 | 35% | 7 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:24 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Blanchfield | 53 of 143 | 37% | 28 of 107 | 5 of 16 | 20 of 20 | 50 of 137 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Jéssica Andrade | 51 of 120 | 42% | 38 of 105 | 2 of 4 | 11 of 11 | 50 of 117 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erin Blanchfield | 40 of 106 | 37% | 22 of 80 | 4 of 12 | 14 of 14 | 37 of 100 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Jéssica Andrade | 44 of 100 | 44% | 32 of 86 | 2 of 4 | 10 of 10 | 43 of 97 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Erin Blanchfield | 13 of 37 | 35% | 6 of 27 | 1 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 13 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jéssica Andrade | 7 of 20 | 35% | 6 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo is very confident in Andrade, even on short notice. He highlights Andrade's technical improvement in her last fight against Lauren Murphy, where she showed precision rather than just bullying. He believes Andrade's BJJ black belt and experience against top competition will neutralize Blanchfield's grappling. Angelo notes the line moved from -190 to -170 and he placed a two-unit bet at -150. He dismisses comparisons to Valentina Shevchenko's takedowns, noting Shevchenko uses judo while Blanchfield uses wrestling, which Andrade can defend.
Big Brady thinks this is too soon for Blanchfield, who has only beaten lower-level competition like Molly McCann. He notes that Andrade only gets dominated by elite grapplers like Valentina Shevchenko, and Blanchfield is not on that level yet. He worries about Blanchfield's takedown success, as she was 0-for-4 against JJ Aldrich. He predicts Andrade will win by knockout, likely in the second round, as Blanchfield has nothing for her on the feet.
Cody initially liked Blanchfield at plus money due to Andrade taking the fight on short notice and Blanchfield's suffocating style, but as the line tightened he shifted to Andrade. He notes Andrade is a proven commodity with better striking and five-round experience, and that she wouldn't take a fight she couldn't win. However, he acknowledges Blanchfield's grappling threat and says he wants to watch weigh-ins before betting.
Connor agrees with Zane, emphasizing that Andrade is a huge step up for Blanchfield. He notes that Blanchfield's striking is very undeveloped, especially her kicks, and that Andrade's power will be a shock. He also points out that Blanchfield struggled with Aldrich's counter striking and maneuvering, and Andrade is a much more physical and powerful version of that. Connor sees the fight as too much too soon for Blanchfield.
Jacob is a self-proclaimed Blanchfield hater and picks Andrade confidently. He criticizes Blanchfield's lack of a plan B when things go wrong, citing her fight against JJ Aldrich where she was dominated until a Hail Mary guillotine. Jacob believes Andrade is a better striker and will stuff takedowns, leading to Blanchfield being embarrassed. He compares it to Whittaker vs Vettori and Emmett vs Rodriguez, where one-dimensional wrestlers were exposed. He is not worried about short notice because Andrade wouldn't take the fight if she wasn't ready.
Andrade's relentless pressure, power, and strength will be too much for Blanchfield, who struggled with takedowns against JJ Aldrich and may not be ready for this step up. Andrade's durability and takedown defense should keep her safe, and she will eventually land a knockout, likely in the third or fourth round.
Paul likes Andrade, citing her recent performance against Lauren Murphy where she looked great and nearly finished her. He questions the comparison to Valentina Shevchenko's takedowns, noting that outside of Shevchenko, no one has easily taken Andrade down. He struggles to get behind Blanchfield at the current price, calling it a big step up in competition. He says if the line keeps moving toward Blanchfield, he'll be forced to jump on Andrade.
The MMA Guru picks Jéssica Andrade, stating she hits different and is a step above other flyweights except Shevchenko. He believes Andrade's power will break Blanchfield's nose early, forcing panic takedowns. He recalls Blanchfield's fight with JJ Aldridge where she struggled before getting a guillotine, and thinks Andrade will be too much. He notes Andrade is a 2-to-1 favorite and calls those odds good, predicting a first-round TKO.
Zane picks Andrade because Blanchfield's striking is still raw and relies on pressure and volume, but she struggles against skilled or physically imposing opponents. Andrade is both, with power that Blanchfield has never faced. Blanchfield's takedown entries are not clean enough to consistently get Andrade down, and Andrade's speed and power will be overwhelming. Zane notes that Blanchfield is a good prospect but not complete enough to win this fight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 25 of 38 | 65% | 93 of 115 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 2 | 0 | 2:48 |
| Molly McCann | 0 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 25 of 38 | 65% | 93 of 115 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 2 | 0 | 2:48 |
| Molly McCann | 0 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Blanchfield | 25 of 38 | 65% | 22 of 34 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 19 |
| Molly McCann | 7 of 13 | 53% | 2 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erin Blanchfield | 25 of 38 | 65% | 22 of 34 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 19 |
| Molly McCann | 7 of 13 | 53% | 2 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo thinks Blanchfield is the more talented fighter with a higher ceiling, but he is concerned about her struggles in her last fight against JJ Aldrich. He notes that McCann is gritty, experienced, and could break a young prospect. He picks Blanchfield to win via takedowns and control, but does not expect a submission. He suggests the bet might be on McCann inside the distance (decision no action) because McCann could avoid takedowns and win by stoppage, while a decision loss would refund the bet.
Big Brady picks Erin Blanchfield to win by submission, calling it a terrible matchup for Molly McCann. He notes McCann's 46% takedown defense and how she was ragdolled by Laura Procopio. He compares Blanchfield's dominance over Miranda Maverick (7 takedowns) to that fight. He believes Blanchfield will take McCann down repeatedly and likely finish her, as McCann has been submitted before (by Gillian Robertson). He questions why McCann took the fight.
Cody leans towards McCann strictly because of the plus money. He notes that Blanchfield struggled to get takedowns against JJ Aldrich and was taken down herself, which raises questions. He thinks if Blanchfield can't get the fight to the mat, McCann's striking could make it competitive. However, he acknowledges McCann's takedown defense is poor and Blanchfield is a strong wrestler, so he is not confident.
Connor picks Blanchfield, citing McCann's inability to solve problems in fights and her tendency to get taken down easily. He notes that McCann's recent wins were against limited opponents, and that Blanchfield is a good opportunist who can take advantage of McCann's overaggression. Connor also mentions that McCann's best work is on the back foot, but she often presses forward and walks into danger.
Daniel Levi picks Erin Blanchfield, citing her grappling advantage and ability to take McCann down and control her. He notes that McCann struggles to get back up when taken down, and Blanchfield is a black belt. However, he is not interested in betting at -390 because he wants guarantees and worries that Blanchfield might stand and trade, giving McCann a chance. He respects McCann's heart and spirit but believes Blanchfield's path to victory is through grappling.
The host believes Blanchfield's superior grappling and trips will eventually get the fight to the ground, where she can submit McCann. He notes McCann's improved striking and confidence could make it competitive on the feet, but Blanchfield's grappling is the difference. He likes the under 2.5 rounds at +180 for finishing potential. He is not betting the moneyline at -390.
Paul picks Blanchfield by decision, highlighting her relentless pressure and grappling. He notes that McCann has poor takedown defense (47%) and has been taken down 12 times in her two losses. Paul believes Blanchfield will take McCann down and control her on the mat, and that McCann's only chance is a spinning elbow knockout. He thinks Blanchfield's wrestling and top control will secure a decision win.
The MMA Guru picks Erin Blanchfield, highlighting her dominant grappling win over Miranda Maverick, who has since ragdolled others. He notes McCann's history of being outgrappled and believes the threat of takedowns will diminish McCann's striking. He predicts a 29-28 decision, with McCann possibly doing decent in the third round but lacking power to finish.
Zane picks Blanchfield, noting that McCann's grappling deficiencies were exposed against Laura Procopio, who took her down easily. He points out that Blanchfield is a decent clinch wrestler and opportunist, and that McCann's tendency to overextend and get countered makes her vulnerable. Zane also mentions that Blanchfield's fight with JJ Aldrich showed she can take shots and keep pressing for takedowns.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 48 of 100 | 48% | 68 of 121 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:56 |
| JJ Aldrich | 0 | 32 of 71 | 45% | 38 of 77 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:42 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 23 of 58 | 39% | 27 of 62 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:43 |
| JJ Aldrich | 0 | 16 of 43 | 37% | 21 of 48 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 0:16 | |
| 2 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 25 of 42 | 59% | 41 of 59 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:13 |
| JJ Aldrich | 0 | 16 of 28 | 57% | 17 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:26 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Blanchfield | 48 of 100 | 48% | 29 of 76 | 11 of 11 | 8 of 13 | 46 of 96 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| JJ Aldrich | 32 of 71 | 45% | 29 of 66 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 31 of 68 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erin Blanchfield | 23 of 58 | 39% | 13 of 44 | 7 of 7 | 3 of 7 | 22 of 56 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| JJ Aldrich | 16 of 43 | 37% | 15 of 42 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 41 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Erin Blanchfield | 25 of 42 | 59% | 16 of 32 | 4 of 4 | 5 of 6 | 24 of 40 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| JJ Aldrich | 16 of 28 | 57% | 14 of 24 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 27 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo sees Erin Blanchfield as a nasty grappler with dominant wrestling, and believes her path to victory is through grappling. He notes that JJ Aldrich is a decision machine with decent striking but a negative striking differential, and that the experience gap is not wide enough to matter. He expects Blanchfield to dominate with heavy grappling and may place a moneyline bet depending on the line movement.
Big Brady picks Erin Blanchfield to win by decision. He notes that Blanchfield is a huge favorite at -600 but thinks the line is too high, though he still sees her as one of the safer picks on the card. He expects Blanchfield to take Aldrich down repeatedly and control the fight on the mat, grinding out a dominant decision. He acknowledges Aldrich has good takedown defense but believes Blanchfield's relentless wrestling will be too much.
Cody picks Blanchfield, calling her a real prospect. He notes her wrestling and pressure, and thinks Aldrich's takedown defense has not been tested by a wrestler of Blanchfield's caliber. He expects Blanchfield to win by decision.
Daniel Levi picks Erin Blanchfield, praising her jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and youth. He acknowledges JJ Aldrich's experience but believes Blanchfield's skills will prevail. He calls it a 'dog or pass' situation due to the steep price, but picks Blanchfield to win, likely by decision.
Paul picks Blanchfield and has already bet Blanchfield by decision at -138. He notes Blanchfield's relentless grappling and pressure, and Aldrich's durability. He thinks Blanchfield will secure takedowns and grind out a decision.
The MMA Guru picks Erin Blanchfield despite acknowledging JJ Aldrich as a decent underdog. He worries Aldrich might stuff takedowns but notes that Miranda Maverick, who he considers equal or better than Aldrich, couldn't stop Blanchfield's grappling. He expects Blanchfield to dominate on the ground and win by unanimous decision 30-27. However, he strongly dislikes the odds, calling them 'really annoying' and implying they are too wide for his comfort.
Rose Namajunas - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natália Silva | 0 | 51 of 133 | 38% | 63 of 147 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:24 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 26 of 94 | 27% | 46 of 119 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 2:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Natália Silva | 0 | 15 of 44 | 34% | 15 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 13 of 39 | 33% | 13 of 39 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Natália Silva | 0 | 8 of 27 | 29% | 15 of 34 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 5 of 18 | 27% | 25 of 43 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:09 | |
| 3 | Natália Silva | 0 | 28 of 62 | 45% | 33 of 69 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:47 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 8 of 37 | 21% | 8 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natália Silva | 51 of 133 | 38% | 25 of 95 | 8 of 14 | 18 of 24 | 50 of 132 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 26 of 94 | 27% | 11 of 64 | 3 of 13 | 12 of 17 | 26 of 92 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Natália Silva | 15 of 44 | 34% | 10 of 32 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 9 | 15 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 13 of 39 | 33% | 4 of 22 | 1 of 6 | 8 of 11 | 13 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Natália Silva | 8 of 27 | 29% | 4 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 5 of 18 | 27% | 3 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Natália Silva | 28 of 62 | 45% | 11 of 41 | 7 of 10 | 10 of 11 | 27 of 61 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 8 of 37 | 21% | 4 of 26 | 1 of 6 | 3 of 5 | 8 of 36 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Natália Silva, calling her faster, cleaner, and a better athlete. He praises her footwork and timing. He acknowledges Rose Namajunas's experience and fight IQ but believes Silva's youth and speed will prevail. He suggests over 2.5 rounds as a likely lock.
Big Brady believes Silva is one of the best flyweights, with elite takedown defense (92%) and great striking volume and power. He thinks Rose will struggle similar to her fight with Fiorot, and Silva will piece her up over 15 minutes for a dominant decision win.
Cody confidently picks Natália Silva, citing her 92% takedown defense and striking volume. He believes Rose Namajunas struggles at 125 pounds and won't be able to secure takedowns. Cody expects Silva to win a unanimous decision, outworking Rose on the feet.
Connor also picks Silva, agreeing that Rose Namajunas has not adapted well to flyweight. He notes that Rose's power and speed have diminished, and that she now has to outwork opponents—a style she never excelled at. Connor points out that Silva is faster, hits harder, and throws more, and that Rose's best chance (wrestling) is untested against Silva. He believes Silva's dynamism will be too much for Rose to handle.
Daniel Vreeland picks Natália Silva to win by decision. He praises Silva's confidence, well-rounded game, and impressive wins over former champions. He notes that Silva is younger, hungrier, and has speed that matches Namajunas. Vreeland believes Silva will beat Namajunas decisively and earn a title shot against Valentina Shevchenko.
James is confident in Silva, noting her superior footwork neutralizes Namajunas's best asset. He expects Silva to win via decision, possibly hurting Namajunas with kicks but not finishing her. He mentions Silva's taekwondo background and that she has cashed for him multiple times.
The host leans towards Silva by decision, praising her distance management and blitzing style. However, he finds the -410 line too wide and believes Rose Namajunas is live as a plus-310 underdog. He notes Namajunas's experience, improved grappling, and ability to counter mobile strikers. He suggests the over 2.5 rounds is a no-brainer and recommends betting on Namajunas for value.
Paul agrees with Cody, emphasizing Silva's speed and combination punching. He doubts Rose can get the wrestling going and believes Silva's quickness will overwhelm her. Paul sees a decision win for Silva, noting that a knockout prop is not worth the price.
The MMA Guru picks Natália Silva, praising her kicking game and ability to fight off the back foot. He notes that Rose Namajunas often leaves fights close and lacks offensive grappling at flyweight. He predicts a decision win, possibly 30-27.
Zane picks Natália Silva confidently, highlighting her incredible speed and high output. He notes that Silva's bad defensive habits (chin in the air) are mitigated by her speed and ability to counter, and that she has hurt every opponent she's faced. Zane argues that Rose Namajunas has lost power and speed at flyweight, and that she can no longer rely on fight-changing shots. He believes Silva's volume and pace will overwhelm Rose over three rounds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Namajunas | 1 | 25 of 86 | 29% | 46 of 118 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 6:33 |
| Miranda Maverick | 0 | 25 of 74 | 33% | 52 of 108 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 1 | 1:48 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 17 of 59 | 28% | 18 of 60 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Miranda Maverick | 0 | 20 of 58 | 34% | 20 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 5 of 17 | 29% | 9 of 26 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:05 |
| Miranda Maverick | 0 | 5 of 14 | 35% | 22 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 0:45 | |
| 3 | Rose Namajunas | 1 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 19 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:13 |
| Miranda Maverick | 0 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 10 of 17 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Namajunas | 25 of 86 | 29% | 22 of 75 | 3 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 23 of 83 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
| Miranda Maverick | 25 of 74 | 33% | 14 of 61 | 5 of 6 | 6 of 7 | 25 of 73 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose Namajunas | 17 of 59 | 28% | 15 of 50 | 2 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 16 of 58 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Miranda Maverick | 20 of 58 | 34% | 11 of 47 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 6 | 20 of 57 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Rose Namajunas | 5 of 17 | 29% | 5 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Miranda Maverick | 5 of 14 | 35% | 3 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Rose Namajunas | 3 of 10 | 30% | 2 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
| Miranda Maverick | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Rose because she is the better striker with superior footwork and technique. He acknowledges Miranda's wrestling threat but believes Rose can defend takedowns and out-strike her. He expresses concern about Rose's training situation but hopes she strings it together like she did against Tracy Cortez.
Big Brady picks Rose Namajunas by decision. He believes Rose is the better fighter overall, with superior striking and the ability to get takedowns against Maverick's sub-50% takedown defense. He worries slightly about Maverick's strength but notes Rose has done well at flyweight. He thinks Rose should win at least two rounds in a three-round fight.
Connor picks Namajunas, agreeing that Maverick is a 'Jake Matthews of women's flyweight'—athletic but aimless, with no clear idea how to win. He notes that Namajunas is much better in the clinch than she used to be and that Maverick's wrestling entries are poor. Connor believes Namajunas's speed, accuracy, and combination punching will allow her to outwork Maverick, and that Maverick's tendency to float and try things without a plan will be her undoing.
This is a closer fight than the odds suggest, but Namajunas's striking will reign supreme. She may have issues with Maverick's strength and clinch work, but she will get into open space, land more damage, and win a clear decision.
The Guru picks Rose Namajunas, calling her a much better technical martial artist. He notes her grappling defense and standup are superior, and she has size at flyweight. He expects a unanimous decision win, 30-27, as Rose outclasses Maverick everywhere.
Zane picks Namajunas, citing her superior craft, movement, and jab-heavy striking as a clear advantage over Maverick's aimless, unprincipled game. He notes that Maverick lacks a clear process and often gets caught up striking when she should wrestle, while Namajunas is accurate, fast, and effective at kicking range. Zane believes Namajunas can outpoint Maverick over three rounds, as Maverick has consistently lost to fighters with a strong game plan.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 110 of 281 | 39% | 193 of 387 | 2 of 8 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 8:54 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 94 of 245 | 38% | 101 of 254 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 19 of 68 | 27% | 19 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 30 of 61 | 49% | 30 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 25 of 67 | 37% | 28 of 70 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 23 of 65 | 35% | 26 of 69 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 | |
| 3 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 11 of 28 | 39% | 48 of 82 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:38 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 9 of 21 | 42% | 10 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 40 of 93 | 43% | 43 of 97 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:53 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 25 of 79 | 31% | 25 of 80 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 | |
| 5 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 15 of 25 | 60% | 55 of 70 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 4:08 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 7 of 19 | 36% | 10 of 22 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Blanchfield | 110 of 281 | 39% | 81 of 248 | 15 of 16 | 14 of 17 | 103 of 269 | 2 of 6 | 5 of 6 |
| Rose Namajunas | 94 of 245 | 38% | 68 of 212 | 18 of 24 | 8 of 9 | 91 of 241 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erin Blanchfield | 19 of 68 | 27% | 11 of 58 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 6 | 19 of 68 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 30 of 61 | 49% | 22 of 52 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 6 | 30 of 61 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Erin Blanchfield | 25 of 67 | 37% | 21 of 61 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 4 | 25 of 65 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 23 of 65 | 35% | 17 of 58 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 22 of 64 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Erin Blanchfield | 11 of 28 | 39% | 7 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 24 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 2 |
| Rose Namajunas | 9 of 21 | 42% | 7 of 18 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Erin Blanchfield | 40 of 93 | 43% | 29 of 82 | 6 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 40 of 93 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 25 of 79 | 31% | 16 of 67 | 8 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 25 of 78 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Erin Blanchfield | 15 of 25 | 60% | 13 of 23 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 4 |
| Rose Namajunas | 7 of 19 | 36% | 6 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Rose Namajunas confidently, calling her an all-time great and a better striker than Erin Blanchfield. He notes Blanchfield's inability to get takedowns was exposed against Manon Fiorot, and without that, she is stuck in a striking match with a superior striker. He thinks five rounds help Rose, as she can afford to lose a round if taken down. He placed a half unit bet on Rose at plus 100 (even money).
Big Brady picks Rose Namajunas to win by decision. He questions Erin Blanchfield's wrestling, noting her low takedown accuracy (33%) and failure to take down opponents like Fiorot and Santos. He believes on the feet, Rose is clearly superior, and even if taken down, Rose's scrambling is good. Brady likes the plus money and thinks the big cage favors Rose.
Cody picks Rose Namajunas as an underdog, arguing that Blanchfield's takedown struggles against Manon Fiorot (0 for 3) and Taila Santos (0 for 14) show she can't reliably take down elite grapplers. He believes Rose's striking, footwork, and takedown defense will keep the fight standing, where she has the advantage. He also notes Rose's experience in five-round fights and her ability to mix in takedowns herself.
Daniel Vreeland picks Erin Blanchfield to win, arguing that the line is influenced by recency bias from Blanchfield's loss to Manon Fiorot. He points out that Rose Namajunas has poor takedown defense (under 60%) compared to Fiorot's 93%, and that Blanchfield's grappling is a different level—she can take the back and submit opponents. Vreeland expects Blanchfield to pressure Namajunas, get takedowns, and potentially finish via ground-and-pound or submission.
Lucrative James picks Erin Blanchfield to win inside the distance, emphasizing her grappling advantage. He notes Rose has been taken down in recent fights and that Blanchfield's wrestling will be decisive. He believes Rose has lost some athleticism and that Blanchfield can finish via submission, likely a rear-naked choke.
Namajunas has shown tremendous defensive grappling improvements, and that will get her a victory over Blanchfield. She will win at least three of the five rounds by out-pointing and out-damaging Blanchfield, winning on the scorecards and positioning herself for a title shot.
Paul sides with Rose but is less confident, expecting a close split decision. He notes that Blanchfield's path to victory is through takedowns, but Rose has shown improved takedown defense and can win on the feet. He mentions the common opponent Jessica Andrade, where Rose won by decision and Blanchfield by submission, but sees the fight as competitive. He plans to bet the split decision prop rather than the moneyline.
The Guru picks Rose Namajunas over Erin Blanchfield, calling Blanchfield overrated. He praises Namajunas's technical skills, scrambles, and wrestling reactions. He notes Blanchfield's poor performance against Manon Fiorot and believes Namajunas will win as an underdog.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Namajunas | 1 | 96 of 180 | 53% | 119 of 215 | 5 of 5 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 6:36 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 58 of 198 | 29% | 85 of 233 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose Namajunas | 1 | 26 of 50 | 52% | 30 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 12 of 43 | 27% | 14 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 26 of 46 | 56% | 27 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 11 of 41 | 26% | 12 of 42 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:16 | |
| 3 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 5 of 12 | 41% | 15 of 31 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:47 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 2 of 9 | 22% | 8 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 4 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 11 of 28 | 39% | 17 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:06 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 12 of 44 | 27% | 15 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 | |
| 5 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 28 of 44 | 63% | 30 of 46 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:52 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 21 of 61 | 34% | 36 of 81 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Namajunas | 96 of 180 | 53% | 66 of 146 | 17 of 20 | 13 of 14 | 93 of 175 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 58 of 198 | 29% | 31 of 162 | 14 of 17 | 13 of 19 | 52 of 189 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose Namajunas | 26 of 50 | 52% | 16 of 39 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 6 | 26 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 12 of 43 | 27% | 4 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 10 | 12 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Rose Namajunas | 26 of 46 | 56% | 16 of 33 | 5 of 7 | 5 of 6 | 25 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 11 of 41 | 26% | 7 of 36 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 40 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Rose Namajunas | 5 of 12 | 41% | 5 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 2 of 9 | 22% | 1 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Rose Namajunas | 11 of 28 | 39% | 8 of 25 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 27 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 12 of 44 | 27% | 7 of 37 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 10 of 40 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Rose Namajunas | 28 of 44 | 63% | 21 of 37 | 6 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 28 of 43 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 21 of 61 | 34% | 12 of 50 | 6 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 19 of 58 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Rose Namajunas, citing her superior striking and overall skill. He believes Tracy Cortez's path to victory is through wrestling, but doubts she can take Rose down for 25 minutes, especially since Cortez was training for a three-round fight and now faces five rounds at elevation. He notes that Rose was taken down four times by Amanda Ribas, but Ribas used clinch tosses rather than traditional shots, which are easier to defend. Angelo plans to have multiple bets on Rose.
Cody picks Rose Namajunas, citing her experience at altitude, full camp, and superior striking. He notes Tracy Cortez's inactivity and short notice, and believes Rose's wrestling defense and offensive takedowns will be key. He expects a decision win for Rose.
Daniel Vreeland picks Tracy Cortez to upset Rose Namajunas. He argues that Cortez has a legitimate wrestling background, which historically gives Rose trouble, and that Rose is a 'hot and cold' fighter who struggles when faced with adversity. He notes Cortez's 11-fight win streak and that she was already preparing for a fight next week, so short notice isn't a major issue. He also mentions Rose's age and mileage, suggesting she may be slowing down. He calls it a 'dog or pass' situation and prefers the plus 185 underdog.
Rose Namajunas has the striking advantage and the cardio edge, especially at altitude. Cortez will land some takedowns, but over 25 minutes, Namajunas will land better strikes and even some takedowns of her own late, cruising to a decision. The line is a bit wide, but the former champion reigns supreme.
Paul agrees with Cody, emphasizing Rose's full camp, altitude advantage, and five-round experience. He points out that Cortez's wrestling has been neutralized by upper-echelon opponents and that Rose's scrambling ability will nullify takedowns. He sees Rose winning by decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 83 of 270 | 30% | 137 of 342 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:38 |
| Amanda Ribas | 0 | 93 of 188 | 49% | 169 of 281 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 1 | 6:59 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 16 of 47 | 34% | 30 of 63 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Amanda Ribas | 0 | 23 of 34 | 67% | 35 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:55 | |
| 2 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 15 of 49 | 30% | 22 of 57 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Amanda Ribas | 0 | 19 of 39 | 48% | 43 of 65 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:00 | |
| 3 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 18 of 50 | 36% | 31 of 70 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:20 |
| Amanda Ribas | 0 | 19 of 36 | 52% | 20 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:24 | |
| 4 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 10 of 39 | 25% | 29 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Amanda Ribas | 0 | 7 of 25 | 28% | 45 of 68 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:40 | |
| 5 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 24 of 85 | 28% | 25 of 86 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Amanda Ribas | 0 | 25 of 54 | 46% | 26 of 55 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Namajunas | 83 of 270 | 30% | 39 of 195 | 19 of 42 | 25 of 33 | 76 of 259 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 5 |
| Amanda Ribas | 93 of 188 | 49% | 45 of 124 | 44 of 60 | 4 of 4 | 81 of 176 | 12 of 12 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose Namajunas | 16 of 47 | 34% | 8 of 33 | 2 of 6 | 6 of 8 | 14 of 45 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Amanda Ribas | 23 of 34 | 67% | 6 of 16 | 16 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 16 of 27 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Rose Namajunas | 15 of 49 | 30% | 7 of 34 | 3 of 8 | 5 of 7 | 14 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Amanda Ribas | 19 of 39 | 48% | 12 of 27 | 6 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 38 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Rose Namajunas | 18 of 50 | 36% | 10 of 39 | 3 of 5 | 5 of 6 | 15 of 44 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 5 |
| Amanda Ribas | 19 of 36 | 52% | 11 of 26 | 7 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 34 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Rose Namajunas | 10 of 39 | 25% | 3 of 28 | 2 of 5 | 5 of 6 | 10 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Amanda Ribas | 7 of 25 | 28% | 4 of 19 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Rose Namajunas | 24 of 85 | 28% | 11 of 61 | 9 of 18 | 4 of 6 | 23 of 83 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Amanda Ribas | 25 of 54 | 46% | 12 of 36 | 12 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 23 of 52 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Rose Namajunas despite rooting for Amanda Ribas. He acknowledges Rose's superior skills and accomplishments but is concerned about her mental state and training camp. He notes that Rose has not looked bad in recent losses, being outstruck by a larger striker in Manon Fiorot and having a boring fight with Carla Esparza. He hopes Ribas wins but cannot pick against Rose's talent.
Big Brady picks Rose Namajunas, stating she is the much better fighter with a better resume. He notes Rose is the better striker, has good grappling, and has gone five rounds before. He points out Ribas is less durable (knocked out three times) and this is her first five-round fight. He predicts a decision win for Rose.
Cody acknowledges Rose's technical skills and well-rounded game, but highlights her mental inconsistency and tendency to have flat performances like the Carla Esparza fight. He notes that Rose is capable of looking like a -500 favorite or just handing rounds away. He ultimately picks Rose but with hesitancy due to these red flags.
Daniel Vreeland leans toward Amanda Ribas if the fight goes past the first two rounds, citing Rose's tendency to fade or lose focus when extended. He notes Ribas has better output, wrestling, and durability in later rounds, while Rose's path is an early knockout. He acknowledges Rose's danger but prefers the dog at plus money.
Namajunas has superior technical striking and should be able to set traps and land clean shots. Ribas is durable but leaves openings and has been finished by technical strikers before. Namajunas should stop takedowns and control the striking, likely finishing by TKO in the third round. The under on 4.5 rounds is favored, indicating a finish is expected.
Paul points out that Amanda Ribas has been bouncing between weight classes and hasn't filled out her frame at 125. He credits Rose's performance against Manon Fiorot, where she fought through a broken hand, and believes Rose will learn from her flat performance against Carla Esparza. He picks Rose but acknowledges the possibility of another lackluster showing.
The MMA Guru picks Rose Namajunas over Amanda Ribas, citing Rose's shot placement and five-round experience. He thinks Ribas' chin is suspect and that Rose will hurt her on the feet. He predicts a second-round rear-naked choke after dropping Ribas with a punch.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manon Fiorot | 0 | 58 of 225 | 25% | 62 of 232 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 60 of 150 | 40% | 60 of 152 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:25 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manon Fiorot | 0 | 18 of 88 | 20% | 18 of 89 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 23 of 56 | 41% | 23 of 57 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Manon Fiorot | 0 | 19 of 69 | 27% | 23 of 75 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 15 of 40 | 37% | 15 of 41 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:12 | |
| 3 | Manon Fiorot | 0 | 21 of 68 | 30% | 21 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 22 of 54 | 40% | 22 of 54 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manon Fiorot | 58 of 225 | 25% | 39 of 197 | 15 of 22 | 4 of 6 | 53 of 214 | 4 of 10 | 1 of 1 |
| Rose Namajunas | 60 of 150 | 40% | 32 of 107 | 15 of 26 | 13 of 17 | 59 of 148 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manon Fiorot | 18 of 88 | 20% | 14 of 82 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 18 of 88 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 23 of 56 | 41% | 11 of 37 | 4 of 8 | 8 of 11 | 23 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Manon Fiorot | 19 of 69 | 27% | 11 of 55 | 7 of 11 | 1 of 3 | 17 of 62 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 15 of 40 | 37% | 10 of 31 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Manon Fiorot | 21 of 68 | 30% | 14 of 60 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 64 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
| Rose Namajunas | 22 of 54 | 40% | 11 of 39 | 7 of 10 | 4 of 5 | 22 of 54 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Fiorot (-185), Namajunas (+154)
Round 1
The bout that likely holds the greatest immediate title implications today comes in the co-main event, between two flyweights. Competing in MMA on French soil for the first time, Nice-born Fiorot (10-1, 5-0 UFC) hopes that a win over former champ Namajunas (11-5, 9-4 UFC) will propel her to the top of the weight class. On the other side of the equation, “Thug Rose” will be making her first jaunt to 125 pounds after multiple championship reigns down at strawweight. The size difference is not as significant as some might expect, and the women will have upwards of 15 minutes to state their case as elite members of the division. As referee Rich Mitchell stands by, the two ladies decide against bumping fists. Namajunas snaps out a quick right hand, and Fiorot responds with a left. Namajunas lands a low kick, and she pushes off with a side kick as Fiorot crowds her. Namajunas misses with a back fist, and Fiorot lands with a stern right hook. Fiorot stands fearlessly in front of her opponent, and she misses with a one-two and tries to catch her with a second. Namajunas slides to the side and sneak out a left hook. Fiorot catches Namajunas before the former champ can get off a combination, and she connects with a body shot when Namajunas closes the distance. Namajunas kicks low and shoots for a single, and the Frenchwoman tosses her aside with little effort. Fiorot keeps her range with a low kick and lunging jab, and her kicks are successfully keeping Namajunas at bay. Fiorot gets off a jab and a one-two, and Namajunas parries the latter. Namajunas beats Fiorot to the punch with a left hand, and she lands this same punch two more times. Namajunas kicks the lead leg, and Fiorot backs her off with short combinations of punches. Namajunas lands one kick and takes three punches off the top before she can reset. Namajunas manages to get in a single left, and Fiorot ignores it. Fiorot misses with a strike, and Namajunas slips her and connects cleanly with a left hand. As the former champ blocks a kick, she meanders forward and evades the other strikes with decent head movement. Namajunas drops down to her knees to snatch up a single, and Fiorot shuts it down and gets away. Fiorot lands cleanly with a left hand on the nose, and she bats Namajunas away with a side kick. The round ends with Fiorot jabbing.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Round 2
Between rounds, Namajunas informs her corner that she broke her right pink finger, and partner Pat Barry says “that’s alright, you don’t need her finger.” Namajunas is not discouraged despite the potential injury, and she is ready to resume action. Namajunas gets in Fiorot’s face early with a flurry of punches, and Fiorot stays composed and does not take many strikes cleanly. Fiorot boxes Namajunas up with a few shots ending with a short right hook, and two punches send Namajunas off-balance. Namajunas topples over, and she climbs to her knees and up as Fiorot rushes at her. Namajunas fights her way out of the clinch, only to absorb a flush knee to the body. Namajunas swipes out with a left, and her strikes do not have near the impact compared to her opponent’s – and the size difference does appear to be widening the competitive gap between the two. Fiorot takes a hook kick on the nose, and she leans back to dodge a subsequent spinning wheel kick in the nick of time. Fiorot spams punches, and Namajunas evades every single one and comes back with a right hand over the top. Fiorot times a head kick as Namajunas comes in on her, and Namajunas is able to respond with a huge right hand that shakes Fiorot up at the same time Fiorot tosses a side kick. Namajunas uses the moment to pursue a takedown, but Fiorot outmuscles her and keeps herself upright before breaking free. Namajunas lands a right hand on the break, and she holds her guard high to defend against a kick. Both women swing at the same time and duck down, and their heads clack together as a sizeable cut opens on Fiorot’s right temple. Fiorot pays it no mind and tells Mitchell she is fine, and the blood flow is not presenting any issues. Namajunas times a left hand on that target, and she gets pushed back from a side kick. Fiorot sweeps the leg, and she absorbs a good right hand on the way out. Namajunas scores a short left, but Fiorot lands two back at her. Namajunas swings hard, and she does land a left hook, only for Fiorot to completely ignore it as the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Round 3
There is no plan on a glove touch to start the last round, and instead Namajunas is ready to go to battle and try to pull off a comeback. Namajunas lets go with a head kick and shoots for a single, and Fiorot blocks the former and stuffs the latter. Namajunas resets and chops at the lead leg, and she darts forward with a pair of punches that whiz past the Frenchwoman. Namajunas whips a left hand over the top, and she lands another before changing levels. Fiorot will not allow herself to be taken down, and she bucks out of the posture and gets back to kickboxing range. Fiorot gets off a stomp kick to the knee, and Namajunas rushes at her opponent only to miss wide. Namajunas sticks Fiorot during an exchange, and Fiorot retaliates with a trio of punches. Fiorot comes up just short when trying to counter a leg kick, and she absorbs a flush right hand but keeps on moving. The former champ scores a right hand, but it is one-and-done as Fiorot is well away from any strikes that could possibly follow. Fiorot snipes with her jab and swiping right hook, using it to stop Namajunas from getting on the inside. Namajunas chases after Fiorot, and they trade head kicks – Fiorot’s lands much harder. Namajunas tries to cut off the cage, but Fiorot is elusive and her timing is erratic enough to not let Namajunas track her down. Namajunas dings her foe with three left hooks, and Fiorot slips but gathers herself and leans back against the wall instead of falling down. Namajunas looks for a few strikes, and Fiorot breaks off and escapes. Namajunas continues her pursuit, and Fiorot gets out of danger and watches a spin kick soar past her as time elapses.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot (30-27 Fiorot)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot (30-27 Fiorot)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot (30-27 Fiorot)
The Official Result
Manon Fiorot def. Rose Namajunas via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo is confident Manon Fiorot dominates, citing her size, power, and volume. He notes Rose Namajunas is moving up in weight and lacks volume compared to Manon. He points out Manon has landed more strikes in each of her last five wins than Rose did in five-round fights. He has parlayed Manon with Ange Loosa.
Big Brady picks Fiorot, citing her size, strength, power, and volume advantage over the smaller Namajunas moving up from strawweight. He doubts Rose can outgrapple, outvolume, or knock out Fiorot. He expects Fiorot to win a decision, though he acknowledges Rose's striking talent and calls it an interesting test.
Cody picks Fiorot due to size and strength advantages at flyweight, and questions Rose's motivation after a lackluster performance against Esparza. He notes Rose's striking advantages were not used in that fight and she has been off for a year. Fiorot's kicking game and French crowd support are key factors. Cody sees Rose's offensive wrestling as a potential path but doubts she can take down or hold down a strong flyweight.
Daniel Levi picks Manon Fiorot, arguing that Fiorot's elusive, outside-fighting style will frustrate Rose Namajunas, who thrives in pocket boxing exchanges. He believes Fiorot will use sidekicks and movement to keep Rose at range, preventing her from letting her hands go. Levi dismisses the size narrative, stating that Fiorot is not a pressure grappler so the weight class difference is irrelevant. He expects a clear 30-27 decision, noting that Fiorot has a history of outpointing tough opponents like Mayra Bueno Silva.
Lucrative James is on Fiorot, having bet on her almost every fight. He thinks Fiorot is legit, top-five material, and that Rose is meeting her at the wrong time. He notes Rose's mental issues, long layoff, career-worst performance, and step up in weight. He believes Fiorot is bigger and stronger, and that Rose hasn't been finished except by Carla Esparza long ago. He likes Fiorot by points at +140, as he doesn't see a finish.
I'm leaning with Fiorot here. She has great takedown defense and a dynamic striking style with power and volume. Rose is a wild card mentally and may struggle with the weight cut to flyweight. Fiorot's footwork and ability to stay at distance should allow her to land significant strikes. However, I don't have a boatload of confidence because Rose has the experience advantage and could potentially get takedowns if she closes the distance. I think Fiorot wins by decision.
Paul also picks Fiorot, emphasizing her size and strength advantage. He doubts Rose's motivation and notes her inability to engage against Esparza. Paul thinks Rose's offensive wrestling could be a factor but that Fiorot's takedown defense and submission defense are solid. He expects a striking affair where Fiorot's speed and kicking game prevail, likely by decision (29-28 or 30-27).
The MMA Guru picks Manon Fiorot by TKO, citing her physicality and dangerous stand-up, while Rose Namajunas appears mentally checked out. He notes Rose's lack of activity, her poor performance against Carla Esparza, and her loss in a grappling match. He believes Fiorot will overwhelm Rose with a flurry of punches in round one.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carla Esparza | 0 | 37 of 136 | 27% | 38 of 137 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 30 of 133 | 22% | 30 of 133 | 2 of 11 | 18% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carla Esparza | 0 | 4 of 19 | 21% | 4 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 4 of 19 | 21% | 4 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Carla Esparza | 0 | 3 of 14 | 21% | 3 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 4 of 22 | 18% | 4 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Carla Esparza | 0 | 11 of 36 | 30% | 11 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 9 of 32 | 28% | 9 of 32 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 4 | Carla Esparza | 0 | 6 of 28 | 21% | 7 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 8 of 29 | 27% | 8 of 29 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 0:20 | |
| 5 | Carla Esparza | 0 | 13 of 39 | 33% | 13 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 5 of 31 | 16% | 5 of 31 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carla Esparza | 37 of 136 | 27% | 30 of 122 | 6 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 36 of 135 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 30 of 133 | 22% | 15 of 108 | 4 of 11 | 11 of 14 | 27 of 128 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carla Esparza | 4 of 19 | 21% | 4 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 4 of 19 | 21% | 2 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Carla Esparza | 3 of 14 | 21% | 3 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 4 of 22 | 18% | 1 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Carla Esparza | 11 of 36 | 30% | 10 of 33 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 11 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 9 of 32 | 28% | 7 of 28 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 8 of 31 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Carla Esparza | 6 of 28 | 21% | 6 of 27 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 8 of 29 | 27% | 3 of 22 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 6 of 25 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Carla Esparza | 13 of 39 | 33% | 7 of 30 | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 5 of 31 | 16% | 2 of 24 | 0 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Rose Namajunas despite acknowledging Carla's wrestling. He argues that Weili Zhang took Rose down five times but still lost, and that Carla's top pressure isn't as good as it should be. He believes Rose only has to worry about the wrestling, whereas Weili was a threat on the feet too.
Big Brady picks Rose Namajunas to win by decision, but he is hesitant. He acknowledges that Esparza will likely take Rose down multiple times, as Rose's takedown defense is only 51% and she hasn't faced many wrestlers. However, he believes Rose's get-up game and activity off her back will prevent Esparza from holding her down for long. On the feet, Rose has a clear advantage. He notes that if this were a three-round fight, he might pick Esparza, but over five rounds, Esparza's wrestling-heavy style is harder to sustain. He is not in love with the price tag.
Cody agrees with Paul, picking Rose Namajunas. He notes that Esparza's wrestling was effective a lifetime ago but Rose has improved her grappling significantly. Cody cites Tatiana Suarez's take that Esparza isn't physically strong and may not outmuscle Rose. He points out that Esparza has never fought into a fourth round, while Rose has championship-round experience. Cody believes Rose can nullify takedowns, get back up, and eventually win by late stoppage or decision.
Daniel Levi picks Rose Namajunas but is not confident, calling it a 'dog or pass' fight. He acknowledges Carla Esparza will land takedowns and has a path to victory, but believes Rose has more ways to win, especially on the feet. He says he would take Rose if the odds were closer to pick'em, but at -220 he is not betting. He respects the value on Esparza at plus 180 and thinks the true odds are around Rose -145 to -150.
The host picks Rose Namajunas, believing her striking and range management have improved significantly since their first fight. He expects Rose to focus on defending takedowns and getting back to her feet. He notes Carla's takedowns can be sloppy and she doesn't do much damage on top. He thinks Rose's ability to create space and her deceptive power will be key. He is not betting Rose at -205, but likes under 4.5 rounds at +135.
Paul picks Rose Namajunas, calling it a straightforward striker vs grappler matchup. He believes Rose's camp has focused on sprawl training and that if the fight stays on the feet, Esparza cannot compete. Paul suggests live betting Esparza if she gets an early takedown, but overall expects Rose to retain her title. He notes the -210 line might be a bit wide but still favors Rose.
The MMA Guru picks Rose Namajunas, citing her improved stand-up and grappling. He notes that Esparza's recent wins have been close and that she doesn't dominate on the ground anymore. He believes Namajunas will stuff takedowns, chew up Esparza's legs, and eventually submit her in the fourth round via rear-naked choke. He mentions the odds are close because Esparza has a previous win, but thinks Namajunas is the better fighter.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 86 of 168 | 51% | 130 of 219 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 7:00 |
| Zhang Weili | 0 | 83 of 173 | 47% | 162 of 272 | 5 of 11 | 45% | 0 | 0 | 3:37 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 20 of 36 | 55% | 22 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Zhang Weili | 0 | 22 of 38 | 57% | 36 of 56 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:08 | |
| 2 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 20 of 45 | 44% | 22 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:31 |
| Zhang Weili | 0 | 16 of 39 | 41% | 21 of 44 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:38 | |
| 3 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 14 of 38 | 36% | 16 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Zhang Weili | 0 | 25 of 51 | 49% | 29 of 55 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:57 | |
| 4 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 14 of 23 | 60% | 39 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 2:32 |
| Zhang Weili | 0 | 12 of 27 | 44% | 32 of 50 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:54 | |
| 5 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 18 of 26 | 69% | 31 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:55 |
| Zhang Weili | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 44 of 67 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Namajunas | 86 of 168 | 51% | 57 of 131 | 12 of 17 | 17 of 20 | 60 of 136 | 6 of 6 | 20 of 26 |
| Zhang Weili | 83 of 173 | 47% | 36 of 112 | 14 of 16 | 33 of 45 | 64 of 138 | 5 of 8 | 14 of 27 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose Namajunas | 20 of 36 | 55% | 11 of 25 | 3 of 5 | 6 of 6 | 17 of 33 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Zhang Weili | 22 of 38 | 57% | 6 of 19 | 5 of 5 | 11 of 14 | 19 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | |
| 2 | Rose Namajunas | 20 of 45 | 44% | 12 of 36 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 16 of 39 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 4 |
| Zhang Weili | 16 of 39 | 41% | 6 of 28 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 6 | 13 of 36 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | Rose Namajunas | 14 of 38 | 36% | 11 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 | 13 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Zhang Weili | 25 of 51 | 49% | 13 of 33 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 14 | 19 of 43 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 | |
| 4 | Rose Namajunas | 14 of 23 | 60% | 9 of 16 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
| Zhang Weili | 12 of 27 | 44% | 6 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 6 | 9 of 16 | 0 of 2 | 3 of 9 | |
| 5 | Rose Namajunas | 18 of 26 | 69% | 14 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 4 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 17 |
| Zhang Weili | 8 of 18 | 44% | 5 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 9 |
Angelo picks Zhang Weili, believing she will make adjustments after the first fight. He thinks Weili will protect her chin, push the pace, and use her boxing to outwork Rose. He notes that Rose's win came from a single head kick and that there wasn't much to analyze from the short fight. He sees Weili's power and determination as key factors.
Big Brady picks Zhang Weili to win by decision. He notes Zhang's power, volume, and cardio advantage, while Rose may slow down as the fight goes on. Brady thinks the first few rounds will be competitive, but Zhang's pressure and durability will wear on Rose. He also mentions Zhang's move to Fight Ready and her takedown potential, though Rose is dangerous on the ground. He expects Zhang to win down the stretch, possibly with a late finish.
Cody agrees with Paul, citing Rose's precision striking and ability to find openings. He notes Zhang's durability but believes Rose's technique and submission game give her the edge. He compares it to Rose's first win over Joanna and sees value in the champion as an underdog.
Daniel Levi picks Rose Namajunas to defend her belt, expressing that the line is disrespectful to Rose at plus 105. He believes Rose is the better striker with more power and setups, and that Zhang Weili may be in denial about the first fight. Levi expects adjustments from Zhang, such as calf kicks, but thinks Rose's toughness and experience in rematches (3-0) will carry her. He notes that Rose is undefeated at Madison Square Garden and that Zhang's cardio advantage may be overstated.
Jacob picks Rose Namajunas, saying he will never bet against her again. He believes Weili's new focus on wrestling with Henry Cejudo could backfire, as Rose has excellent jiu-jitsu. He has a moneyline bet and a submission prop on Rose. He thinks Rose has the 'it factor' and thrives in big moments.
The host leans Zhang by decision, expecting her to use takedowns to sway judges in close rounds. He thinks the fight goes 25 minutes and likes the over 4.5 rounds at -125. He notes Zhang's new camp but limited time to adjust.
Paul picks Rose as a live underdog, noting she knocked Zhang out in the first fight and is being undervalued. He questions Zhang's wrestling improvements with Cejudo and believes Rose's precision striking and submission threat are key. He sees the line as too easy to pass up.
The Guru picks Rose Namajunas, citing her youth, reach advantage, and grappling edge. He believes Zhang's mindset will be affected by her first KO loss and the crowd booing her. The Guru predicts a third-round rear-naked choke submission, noting Namajunas' ability to bounce back and her training with Trevor Wittman.
Expert Picks (8)
Angelo picks Rose Namajunas confidently, calling her an all-time great and a better striker than Erin Blanchfield. He notes Blanchfield's inability to get takedowns was exposed against Manon Fiorot, and without that, she is stuck in a striking match with a superior striker. He thinks five rounds help Rose, as she can afford to lose a round if taken down. He placed a half unit bet on Rose at plus 100 (even money).
Big Brady picks Rose Namajunas to win by decision. He questions Erin Blanchfield's wrestling, noting her low takedown accuracy (33%) and failure to take down opponents like Fiorot and Santos. He believes on the feet, Rose is clearly superior, and even if taken down, Rose's scrambling is good. Brady likes the plus money and thinks the big cage favors Rose.
Cody picks Rose Namajunas as an underdog, arguing that Blanchfield's takedown struggles against Manon Fiorot (0 for 3) and Taila Santos (0 for 14) show she can't reliably take down elite grapplers. He believes Rose's striking, footwork, and takedown defense will keep the fight standing, where she has the advantage. He also notes Rose's experience in five-round fights and her ability to mix in takedowns herself.
Daniel Vreeland picks Erin Blanchfield to win, arguing that the line is influenced by recency bias from Blanchfield's loss to Manon Fiorot. He points out that Rose Namajunas has poor takedown defense (under 60%) compared to Fiorot's 93%, and that Blanchfield's grappling is a different level—she can take the back and submit opponents. Vreeland expects Blanchfield to pressure Namajunas, get takedowns, and potentially finish via ground-and-pound or submission.
Lucrative James picks Erin Blanchfield to win inside the distance, emphasizing her grappling advantage. He notes Rose has been taken down in recent fights and that Blanchfield's wrestling will be decisive. He believes Rose has lost some athleticism and that Blanchfield can finish via submission, likely a rear-naked choke.
Namajunas has shown tremendous defensive grappling improvements, and that will get her a victory over Blanchfield. She will win at least three of the five rounds by out-pointing and out-damaging Blanchfield, winning on the scorecards and positioning herself for a title shot.
Paul sides with Rose but is less confident, expecting a close split decision. He notes that Blanchfield's path to victory is through takedowns, but Rose has shown improved takedown defense and can win on the feet. He mentions the common opponent Jessica Andrade, where Rose won by decision and Blanchfield by submission, but sees the fight as competitive. He plans to bet the split decision prop rather than the moneyline.
The Guru picks Rose Namajunas over Erin Blanchfield, calling Blanchfield overrated. He praises Namajunas's technical skills, scrambles, and wrestling reactions. He notes Blanchfield's poor performance against Manon Fiorot and believes Namajunas will win as an underdog.
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