- George Chung
- Oct 31, 2024
- 3 min read
Erin "Cold Blooded" Blanchfield has captured fans’ attention with her rapid rise and relentless drive in the UFC. Since her debut in September 2021, Blanchfield’s 6-1 record speaks volumes, showing her grit, skill, and championship potential.
With decisive wins over top-ranked contenders like Jessica Andrade and Talia Santos, Blanchfield has already marked herself as a future title contender. Now, she’s set for a career-defining bout against former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas at UFC Edmonton, promising an epic showdown that fans won't want to miss.
The Comeback After Fiorot: Blanchfield's Growth Mindset
After a tough loss to Manon Fiorot, Blanchfield has only sharpened her game. The fight exposed areas for growth, particularly in managing distance against high-level strikers, which Fiorot exploited to edge out a decision victory. Reflecting on her performance, Blanchfield saw the experience as a learning curve. She explained, “Not every night is going to be your best night, so I feel like there’s definitely some things to learn, but I’m not harping on it too much.” Now, with a solid five-round fight under her belt, Blanchfield is even more confident and prepared to go the distance.
A Revamped Training Camp and New Skills
Blanchfield isn’t just resting on her laurels. In preparation for Namajunas, she’s added a specialized boxing coach to her camp to fine-tune her hands. Historically a grappler with elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills, Blanchfield’s control wrestling and submission game have been the foundation of her success. However, with a stand-up battle likely on the cards against Namajunas, Blanchfield focused on elevating her boxing skills.
Her approach to camp preparation has also evolved. Before her fight camp began, Blanchfield visited the UFC Performance Institute, where she underwent metabolism testing, strength assessments, and more. She now works with their dietician and strength conditioning experts to optimize every aspect of her preparation, saying, “I’ve been working with their dietician for my weight cut and supplements…so I’ve added a couple new things.”
Sparring with a Legend: Preparing for Namajunas
Facing Namajunas is a tall order, and Blanchfield knows it. The 25-year-old New Jersey native has watched Namajunas since she was a teenager. In her camp, she leaned on teammate Fatima Kline, who helped mimic Namajunas’ unique style during training. “Fatima’s been helpful, she’s always been a fan of Rose… she knows her style pretty well, so she’s helped me emulate that during sparring and training.”
The respect between Blanchfield and Namajunas is mutual, but Blanchfield remains unfazed by Namajunas’ accolades. Having been a fan and now standing across the Octagon from one of her idols, she’s eager to prove that the time for a new contender has arrived. “I love fighting people that I’ve been watching since I was a kid,” she said. That mix of respect and competitive drive adds a compelling layer to this matchup.
What to Expect from Blanchfield vs. Namajunas at UFC Edmonton
Blanchfield is determined to bounce back from her first UFC setback with a statement performance against Namajunas. Fans should expect her to bring a well-rounded approach, balancing her dominant grappling with improved striking. Namajunas, a two-time former strawweight champ, will have the edge in experience, but Blanchfield’s relentless pace and evolving game make her a serious threat.
With both fighters eyeing the top of the division, this fight will be pivotal in determining who gets closer to a title shot. UFC Edmonton promises to deliver an action-packed evening, and Erin Blanchfield vs. Rose Namajunas is set to be an unforgettable clash of technique, resilience, and raw determination.
