The 23-year-old Blanchfield might be the best overall prospect in the UFC at the moment, and I don’t say that lightly.
A dangerous Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt who has shown a willingness and ability to bang it out on the feet if need be, Blanchfield enters her clash with Molly McCann on Saturday sporting a 9-1 record with wins in all three of her UFC appearances and six straight victories overall. She beat future UFC competitors Kay Hansen and Victoria Leonardo, as well as TUF 30 finalist Brogan Walker on her way to the Octagon, and her lone setback came by debated split decision against ascending fellow flyweight Tracy Cortez.
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In her sophomore appearance in the UFC, Blanchfield dominated Miranda Maverick, and last time out in June, she shifted the tenor of her fight with JJ Aldrich on a dime midway through the second round. One second, she’s getting out-struck by the more savvy, more experienced veteran, and the next, she’s capitalizing on Aldrich’s lone mistake and wrapping up her neck.
Those are the kinds of little moments that differentiate great prospects from good prospects, and for Blanchfield to recognize the opportunity, attack, and finish speaks to just how high-level of a talent she is already.
