Blanchfield v Fiorot preview & betting picks | UFC Atlantic City

The women’s flyweight division will be presented with a legitimate contender when Erin Blanchfield and Manon Fiorot clash in this weekend’s UFC Fight Night at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Both fighters are riding lengthy win streaks and appear ready to assume challenger status, with the winner set to gain a huge boost in profile. Read on for our fight breakdown and betting strategy.

Blanchfield v Fiorot main event preview

Erin Blanchfield (#2) vs Manon Fiorot (#3)

Erin Blanchfield (12-1-0) is unbeaten in her last six UFC appearances and appears one of the athletes to shape the future of the women’s flyweight division. The 24-year-old has seen off Molly McCann, Jessica Andrade, and Taila Santos in her last three contests and now faces a fellow top-five fighter. Blanchfield is a BJJ wizard with four submission wins on her record, along with two knockouts and six decision victories. She does not strike with huge power but has been working hard on her standup skills as she strives to develop a rounded MMA game.

Blanchfield has looked vulnerable to more competent strikers in the past and her boxing is bound to be tested by a taller and more naturally gifted pugilist. She will need to slip the jabs coming in her direction to get inside where her superior grappling can be effective. Her first takedown attempts will be critical, and if they are unsuccessful, it will certainly dampen her chances of victory. If she can take this contest to mat early, the American will be confident in her gameplan and ability to compete on favourable terms.

Manon Fiorot (11-1-0) is also unbeaten in her last six UFC appearances and is poised to challenge for the title if this bout falls her way. The 34-year-old has demonstrated maturity and patience in her last three fights against Jennifer Maia, Katlyn Chookagian, and Rose Namajunas, grinding away to earn an inevitable decision victory rather than pushing recklessly for a knockout finish. The Frenchwoman does possess KO power, with six of her professional victories coming via that method.

Fiorot has earned a brown belt in BJJ, but we have rarely seen her skills on the mat. She focuses on a boxing-heavy approach that is working. Her takedown defence will be tested during this bout, as will her ability to avoid the dangerous positions that open potential submission opportunities. If Fiorot can negate the grappling of Blanchfield with ringcraft and foot movement, she presents as a likely winning chance.

Blanchfield v Fiorot betting strategy

This fight is a classic clash of styles — the ground game of Blanchfield against the standup of Fiorot. Online bookies have installed Blanchfield as the early favourite, but we are leaning in the opposite direction.

Fiorot has more paths to victory and will enjoy a sizeable advantage the longer the bout remains upright. If she can repel the grappling of Blanchfield throughout the early exchanges, Fiorot should be able to dictate terms thereafter. As a skilled boxer, she will not need to over-commit to her punches, which should make her harder to take down.

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