Erin Blanchfield (born May 4, 1999) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She is a former Eddie Bravo Invitational champion. As of August 29, 2023, she is #2 in the UFC women's flyweight rankings, and as of September 5, 2023, she is #5 in the UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings.
Background
A native of Elmwood Park, New Jersey, Blanchfield started training jiu-jitsu at the age of seven. Two years later, she started competing in kickboxing and grappling tournaments. By the age of 12, she decided she wanted to be a professional fighter.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Blanchfield fought under Fighting Championships and amassed a record of 1–0 prior to being signed by Invicta Fighting Championships.
Invicta Fighting Championships
Blanchfield made her Invicta debut on March 17, 2018, against Brittney Cloudy at Invicta FC 30. She won the fight by split decision.
Her next fight came on November 16, 2018, facing Kay Hansen at Invicta FC 32. She won the fight via majority decision.
On February 15, 2019, Blanchfield faced Tracy Cortez at Invicta FC 34. She lost the fight via split decision.
Blanchfield faced Gabriella Gulfin on June 4, 2019 at Cage Fury Fighting Championships 76. She won the fight via submission in round one.
On February 7, 2020, Blanchfield returned to Invicta, facing Victoria Leonardo at Invicta FC 39. In the second round Blanchfield dropped Leonardo with a head kick, finishing off the technical knockout victory with punches.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Blanchfield was expected to make her UFC debut as a short notice replacement for Bea Malecki against Norma Dumont on April 10, 2021 at UFC on ABC: Vettori vs. Holland in a Bantamweight bout. In turn, the bout was pulled from the card by after Dumont missed weight by 3.5lbs.
Blanchfield faced Sarah Alpar on September 18, 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Spann. She won the fight via unanimous decision.
Blanchfield was expected to face Maycee Barber, replacing Montana De La Rosa, on December 11, 2021 at UFC 269. However, Barber withdrew in early November due to undisclosed reasons, and she was replaced by Miranda Maverick. Blanchfield won the fight by unanimous decision. She furthermore set the women’s flyweight single-fight takedown record, with eight total takedowns.
Blanchfield faced JJ Aldrich on June 4, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 207. She won the bout via guillotine choke in the second round.
Blanchfield faced Molly McCann on November 12, 2022 at UFC 281. She won the fight via a kimura submission in the first round.
Blanchfield was scheduled to face Taila Santos on February 18, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 219. When the main event fight between Cory Sandhagen and Marlon Vera was rescheduled for another event, Blanchfield's fight against Santos was moved up to serve as the main event. Santos dropped out of the bout after her cornermen were denied visas into the United States, and was replaced by Jéssica Andrade. Blanchfield won the fight via submission in round two. This win earned her the Performance of the Night award.
The match with Taila Santos was rebooked and took place on August 26, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 225. Blanchfield won the bout via unanimous decision.
Personal life
Until 2021 Blanchfield was studying Television and Digital Media with a concentration in sports media at Montclair State University, with an aim to becoming a commentator. Blanchfield is the daughter of George and Betsy Blanchfield, and has one brother, Brendan, who is also a mixed martial artist.
Championships and accomplishments
Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Eddie Bravo Invitational
Eddie Bravo Invitational Champion (One time)
Mixed martial arts
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Performance of the Night (One time) Tied (Manon Fiorot) for the second longest win streak in UFC Women's Flyweight division history (6) Tied (Montana De La Rosa & Karine Silva) for second most submissions in UFC Women's Flyweight division history (3)
'''Invicta Fighting Championships
Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Victoria Leonardo, Brogan Walker-Sanchez