New York, NY — There was a little bit of revenge for Erin Blanchfield at UFC 322 on Saturday, as she submitted Tracy Cortez in a women’s flyweight preliminary card bout.
The fight was a rematch of the pair’s 2019 encounter under the Invicta FC banner, when Blanchfield lost a close split decision. She left nothing to chance in the sequel at New York’s Madison Square Garden, wrapping up a rear-naked choke in the second round.
Now, Blanchfield is in the running for a title shot (Valentina Shevchenko would earn a dominant decision over Weili Zhang in the UFC 322 co-main event later in the night).
“I’d love a title shot. Valetina and Weili are fighting tonight, I got a big finish on the same card. I think it just makes sense, I’ve been in the top five for a couple years now,” Blanchfield (14-2) said following the victory, speaking backstage to media outlets including Cageside Press. “I’ve had some big finishes. I think it makes sense.”
There are other contenders, including Natalia Silva. There’s also the possibility that champ Shevchenko moves up to face either Kayla Harrison or Amanda Nunes.
“You never know. So many things change in MMA, who’s ready and when it can happen,” Blanchfield said on that front. “So I’ll just be ready for a title shot when it comes.”
Soft spoken, Erin Blanchfield isn’t one to make a lot of noise, but she isn’t worried about that holding her title hopes back. “I think when you win fights, things will come to you. So you just need to keep winning, and be undeniable,” she suggested.
Watch the full UFC 322 post-fight press conference with Erin Blanchfield above.
