With Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko likely headed for a UFC women’s flyweight title trilogy bout, a next contender is likely to be decided in a newly-announced matchup between Erin Blanchfield and Manon Fiorot.
UFC CEO Dana White announced Thursday on social media that Blanchfield (12-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) will take on Fiorot (11-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) at UFC Fight Night on March 30, which takes place at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. The card is expected to air on ESPN.
Fight announcements:
Feb 17th, #UFC298
Feb 24th, #UFCMexico
March 30th, #UFCAtlanticCity
April 13th, #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/vcJYI3rekl— danawhite (@danawhite) December 22, 2023
According to a person with knowledge of the situation, who spoke to MMA Junkie on the condition of anonymity, it’s still being discussed whether the fight will be three or five rounds.
Blanchfield, No. 4 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie women’s flyweight rankings, and No. 5-ranked Fiorot at both unbeaten under the UFC banner. One of them will suffer their first setback when they clash in the octagon, with the winner likely moving on to a title shot.
Blanchfield, 24, is coming off her most high-profile win to date, a unanimous decision over former title challenger Taila Santos at UFC Fight Night 225 in August. Fiorot, 33, is also coming off her most notable victory thus far, a unanimous decision over former strawweight champ Rose Namajunas at UFC Fight Night 226 in September.
The latest lineup for UFC Atlantic City now includes:
- Erin Blanchfield vs. Manon Fiorot
- Loopy Godinez vs. Virna Jandiroba
