UFC Vegas 69: Blanchfield defeated Jessica Andrade.
Erin Blanchfield defeated Jessica Andrade by way of submission (rear-naked choke), Spherical 2 – 1:37 at UFC Vegas 69 on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, stay from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, NV.
“She hits actually exhausting however I acquired that clinch and took it,” Blanchfield stated after the battle. “I knew she was a very good striker, I knew I used to be going to should cope with that. I don’t need to get hit that a lot subsequent time. Give me the winner of (Valentina) Shevchenko and (Alexa) Grasso subsequent. I’m going to be UFC champion.”
Andrade opened with a pair of kicks and a strong strike. The 2 ladies traded strikes within the center. Blanchfield discovered success along with her placing earlier than altering ranges and going for her first takedown. Andrade efficiently defended and moved again to the center. The 2 ladies continued to commerce. Andrade defended a second takedown try. Blanchfield landed a giant proper. Andrade additionally landed her share of strikes however Blanchfield discovered success countering. Blanchfield buckled the knees of Andrade, utilizing her attain benefit. Andrade landed a giant mixture that backed up Blanchfield. The primary spherical ended with Andrade defending one other takedown try.
The 2 ladies continued to commerce punches to start out the second spherical. Andrade landed an overhand proper however Blanchfield landed her first takedown of the battle with an inside journey. Blanchfield instantly acquired facet management. Andrade tried to get again as much as her ft however gave up her again. Immediately, Blanchfield locked in a rear-naked choke and compelled Andrade to faucet out.
Blanchfield was initially scheduled to battle Talia Santos in the primary occasion. Nonetheless, per week earlier than the battle, Santos was compelled to tug out. Andrade accepted the battle on one week’s discover. Andrade, who entered the battle because the third-ranked flyweight, gained her earlier three fights. Blanchfield entered the battle as one of many high prospects amongst ladies’s UFC fighters. The 23-year-old gained her first 4 fights within the UFC to climb to tenth within the flyweight division.
Along with her spectacular victory over Andrade, Blachfield will doubtless get her want and face the winner of Shevchenko and Grasso at UFC 285 on March 4. Blanchfield improved to 11-1 along with her third straight submission victory.
Andrade will proceed to be a fixture in each the strawweight and flyweight divisions. Andrade is ranked in each divisions and a win streak in both division may earn her one other title shot.
