Erin Blanchfield and Manon Fiorot took middle stage at UFC on ESPN 54 with a flyweight title shot doubtless within the winners’ future.
Whereas the Combat Night time card had some questionable officiating, it was an unforgettable night time of fights for viewers. Eight of the 13 bouts got here to an finish with knockout stoppages, nevertheless it was Manon Fiorot who took all of the plaudits for her standout victory in the primary occasion.
A busy begin to the battle noticed Fiorot edge barely forward within the placing exchanges. Regardless of executing an excellent takedown, the Frenchwoman was caught in a decent guillotine, and although nothing got here of it, Blanchfield used the submission try to alter the tide of the battle.
As soon as the affair returned to the toes, each girls had some success. The primary spherical got here to an finish with neither fighter establishing their dominance up to now.
Spherical 2 started with extra of the identical. Fiorot regarded just like the extra seasoned striker and appeared to have a solution for Blanchfield’s grappling makes an attempt, although neither athlete had landed something of main significance.Â
The spherical got here to an finish, once more with each Blanchfield and Fiorot failing to make their stamp on the proceedings.
Though it’s tough to separate the 2 up to now, the European had a transparent energy benefit over her opponent. Because the midway level of the battle ticked by, ‘Chilly Blooded’ was visibly struggling to take care of the peak and aforementioned energy of Fiorot.
Associated: UFC on ESPN 54 Outcomes: Blanchfield vs. Fiorot
Identified primarily for her high-level grappling, Erin Blanchfield made it clear she was snug exchanging on the toes with the 34-year-old. Although admirable, Blanchfield’s recreation plan wasn’t doing her any favors and he or she was probably falling behind on the judges’ scorecards.
The American prospect wasn’t giving up on herself and supposed to empty the gasoline tank to safe victory with simply 5 minutes remaining within the battle.
After an early head kick and flurry of punches in favor of Blanchfield, extra of the identical ensued as time trickled to an finish within the fifth and ultimate spherical. Whereas it wasn’t certainly one of her standout performances, Manon Fiorot’s physicality was on full show and he or she was introduced because the rightful victor.
Manon Fiorot def. Erin Blanchfield by way of unanimous choice (50-45, 50-45, 50-45).