With a potential flyweight title opportunity on the line, top-five ranked contenders ‘Thug’ Rose Namajunas and Erin Blanchfield stepped into the iconic Rogers Place for a co-main event clash at UFC Edmonton on Saturday night.
After making a name for herself at strawweight, Namajunas has her sights set on a second world title in as many divisions. She’s on the right track, besting Amanda Ribas and Tracy Cortez in her last two outings. Now, she’ll have to take out ‘Cold Blooded’ if she hopes to challenge the division’s reigning queen, Valentina Shevchenko.
Round 1
Namajunas immediately takes the center of the Octagon as Blanchfield circles the cage wall. Namajunas gets the striking started with a nice jab and both fighters trade calf kicks. Blanchfield goes to the body with a kick before sitting down on a left hook that narrowly misses the mark. Namajunas throws a left hook and Blanchfield comes right back with a counter right.
Blanchfield starts to apply some pressure to Namajunas and lands a nice one-two. Namajunas continues to stick her opponent with the jab which prompts Blanchfield to increase her attack on the ex-champion’s lead leg. Namajunas picks up the pace in the closing seconds, but the round ends before she can land anything of significance.
Round 2
Business picks up in the opening minutes of the second stanza with both fighters standing in close and throwing combinations. Blanchfield moves in and throws a calf kick, but eats a nasty right hand. That prompts Blanchfield to shoot in for the first takedown of the fight. Namajunas stays upright as Blanchfield clinches up against the fence. Namajunas trips Blanchfield to the mat and briefly takes side control, but ‘Cold Blooded’ scrambles back to her feet unscathed.
Blanchfield stays at range but gets stuck with a stiff right hand when she tries to close the distance. Blanchfield again rushes in with a three-punch combo but eats another counter right on the exit. This time, Blanchfield uses her strikes to move in and clinch against the fence. Namajunas defends the single-leg attempt and separates just before the horn sounds.
Round 3
Through two rounds, ‘Thug’ Rose looks to be in control and lands another right hand as we approach the one-minute mark of the third. Blanchfield picks up the aggression and Namajunas shoots in for her first takedown, but it’s easily defended by Blanchfield. ‘Cold Blooded’ clinches and presses Namajunas against the fence before dragging her to the canvas and getting top control. With Blanchfield in half guard, Namajunas looks content to hold on and simply limit the moment of her opponent.
As the action begins to stall, the crown is getting restless. Blanchfield throws a few short body blows—just enough to keep the referee from standing them back up. With a minute to go, the referee issues a warning which prompts Blanchfield to posture up and look to land some strikes. Namajunas prevents that from happening and the round ends with Namajunas scrambling.
Round 4
Erin Blanchfield appears to have built up some confidence as she comes out swinging early. Namajunas fires right back and lands a combination. Blanchfield teased a takedown attempt, but quickly backed away as Namajunas caught her with a quick combo. Blanchfield fires a kick to the body and clinches up with Namajunas during an exchange of strikes in the center of the Octagon. Blanchfield pushes Namajunas back against the fence, but ‘Thug’ prevents Blanchfield from locking her hands and circles out before long.
Namajunas briefly pushes the pace before Blanchfield opts to stand her ground and trade. Namajunas makes her pay with a nice left hook. Blanchfield shoots in again and narrowly takes down Namajunas before being shoved off. Namajunas returns to the middle of the cage as the round ends.
Round 5
With the fight hanging in the balance, Erin Blanchfield comes out and is firing on all cylinders. Namajunas attempts to land a desperation takedown, but Blanchfield fights her off. A minute into the round, Blanchfield shoots in again and this time, she lands a takedown and immediately settles into half-guard. Blanchfield words her way into side control and is looking to put Namajunas into a crucifix.
Blanchfield pins Namajunas’ arm down, but ‘Thug’ frees her limb. Namajunas attempts to scramble her way back up, giving up her back in the process. Namajunas battles her way back up, but Blanchfield continues to clinch against the fence, holding position, but not offering much in the way of offense. Blanchfield attempts a last-second takedown but is unable to complete it as the final horn signals the end of the bout.
Official Result: Erin Blanchfield def. Rose Namajunas via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
Check Out Highlights From Rose Namajunas vs. Erin Blanchfield at UFC Edmonton:
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