MMA Preview – Erin Blanchfield vs Manon Fiorot at UFC ESPN 54
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ERIN BLANCHFIELD VS MANON FIOROT FACTS
When is UFC on ESPN 54? Sunday 31st March, 2024 - 00:00 (UK)
Where is UFC on ESPN 54? Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC on ESPN 54? Click here to buy tickets for UFC on ESPN
What channel is UFC on ESPN 54 on? TNT Sports 1
Where can I stream UFC on ESPN 54? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
ERIN BLANCHFIELD VS MANON FIOROT LOWDOWN
Erin Blanchfield (12-1) has strangled her way up the flyweight rankings and is proudly sitting on a nine-fight win streak including six UFC dubs. She really started to live up to her reputation after submitting JJ Aldrich (2022), Molly McCann (2022) and Jessica Andrade (2023). She then met Taila Santos back in August who was her toughest test on paper, and she walked away with a unanimous decision to catapult herself into the title picture.
Manon Fiorot (11-1) has been waltzing down the same path and has also entered the title picture, but thanks to a completely different skillset. She also has six UFC dubs under her belt which has extended her win streak to 11. She started her account with two vintage TKO’s and has gone on to earn classy unanimous decisions over former title challengers Mayra Bueno Silva (2021), Jennifer Maia (2021), Katlyn Chookagian (2022) and former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas (2023) back in September.
ERIN BLANCHFIELD VS MANON FIOROT PREDICTION
When they entered the UFC, they were both one dimensional but that have risen with the calibre of competition that has been placed in front of them and these prospects are exactly what the flyweight division has been crying out for.
They are both very exciting and talented fighters with the victor likely to be next in line for a title shot. Blanchfield is a submission wizard, and her striking is improving. Fiorot on the other hand is arguably the most dangerous striker in the division and her grappling is very underrated.
Once they get a taste of each other’s strengths this will look live the classic striker vs grappler match-up. Fiorot hits like a truck and knows she cannot afford to hit the deck. Blanchfield will have to be persistent as she does not have the technique to take Fiorot down easily.
She will have to use her striking to set up the takedown. She will walk into range and swing wildly hoping she can distract Fiorot and catch her off balance. However, Fiorot’s defence on the feet and defensive wrestling swing this in her favour for us.
She has little room for error, but it is hard to see Blanchfield control Fiorot unless she can rock her. The French native also has the ability to violently counter when Blanchfield steps into range.
Anything can happen in the championship rounds when they begin to tire, but Fiorot’s defence should allow her to piece the favourite up on the feet. She makes a lot of sense as the underdog.
Prediction: Fiorot via Decision
Value bet: Fiorot to win
