The UFC Edmonton co-main occasion on Saturday featured a girls’s flyweight bout with title image implications. Third-ranked Erin Blanchfield confronted former two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas.
Namajunas entered the combat coming off back-to-back wins and ranked fifth within the division. Blanchfield was coming off a loss to second-ranked Manon Fiorot. The loss snapped a nine-fight profitable streak for “Chilly Blooded.”
Namajunas took the middle of the cage whereas Blanchfield rotated on the surface. Namajunas inched ahead and landed her jab. Namajunas delivered a leg kick. Blanchfield responded with a kick to the physique. Namajunas linked with a proper hand counter. Blanchfield started urgent ahead and walked right into a jab. She linked with a mix, although. Namajunas stepped into the pocket with a proper hand. Blanchfield went excessive with a kick but it surely was blocked. Blanchfield pressured Namajunas within the closing minute of the spherical. MMAWeekly rating the spherical 10-9 for Namajunas.
Namajunas took the middle of the cage within the second spherical as properly. The motion started to warmth up. Namajunas landed a mix. Blanchfield pressed ahead. Namajunas linked with a proper hand. One other proper hand from Namajunas precipitated Blanchfield to look to get the combat to the bottom. Within the clinch, Namajunas tripped Blanchfield to the bottom. Blanchfield rapidly received again to her ft and Namajunas backed away.
Blanchfield is throwing loads of head kicks however lacking. Namajunas linked with a left. She landed a proper hand cleanly. When Blanchfield moved into the pocket, Namajunas met her with punches. Blanchfield drove ahead and clinched. They separated proper earlier than the bell. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Namajunas.
Blanchfield opened the third body with a leg kick. Namajunas linked with a proper hand. A left hook discovered its dwelling. Blanchfield reacted with a mix. Namajunas modified ranges and appeared for a takedown after taking a proper hand. They labored for place alongside the fence. Blanchfield secured a takedown with three minutes on the clock. She labored in half guard as Namajunas labored to manage her posture. Blanchfield delivered quick proper fingers. Namajunas held on however did not do a lot to stand up. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Blanchfield.
Blanchfield pressured Namajunas to begin the fourth. She landed a leg kick and the 2 exchanged punches. Namajunas linked with a mix. Blanchfield landed to the physique with a kick. Blanchfield began to land extra. She clinched and backed Namajunas to the cage. Namajunas circled free. Blanchfield linked with an elbow on the within. Namajunas landed a left hook. Blanchfield rapidly modified ranges however Namajunas stayed on her ft. They spared within the closing seconds and Blanchfield landed a proper hand. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Blanchfield.
They met within the middled and exchanged. Namajunas linked with a mix. Blanchfield got here out aggressive within the closing spherical. Namajunas briefly appeared for a takedown however Blanchfield defended the try. Blanchfield secured a takedown with all form of time left. With 3:30 exhibiting on the clock, Blanchfield moved to facet management and delivered quick left fingers. Blanchfield trapped an arm and appeared to place Namajunas in a crucifix. Namajunas received her arm free however Blanchfield remained in facet management. Namajunas rolled to her knees. Blanchfield stayed on her however Namajunas labored her method to her ft with a minute remaining. Blanchfield stored the stress on and gave Namajunas no area alongside the fence. The spherical ended with the 2 within the clinch. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Blanchfield.
The judges scored the combat for Blanchfield by way of unanimous resolution. All three scorecards learn 48-47.
