[jwplayer YlGrx3Ye]
Erin Blanchfield
Record: 5-1
Age: 21
Weight class: Flyweight
Height: 5’4″
Birthplace: New York
Next Fight: July 30 vs. Stephanie Geltmacher (4-1) at Invicta FC 41 in Kansas City, Mo. (UFC Fight Pass)
Background: [autotag]Erin Blanchfield[/autotag] is one of the younger fighters to stand atop the UFC’s doorstep at the moment – but she’s put in the time. Blanchfield has been training martial arts since she was 7, beginning with kickboxing and jiu-jitsu. Before long, Blanchfield was competing in kickboxing smokers and grappling tournaments. At around age 12, Blanchfield began seeing women compete in the cage in Strikeforce and her pursuit was inspired further. That’s when she dove in headfirst into the world of MMA competition. In five pro fights, Blanchfield has three finishes and holds a win over current UFC strawweight Kay Hansen.
The Skinny: She’s only 21, but Erin Blanchfield has already proven that you can’t judge her by her age. Through six pro fights, she’s already made her mark in Invicta FC. Her lone professional loss came by split decision to Tracy Cortez – a fighter who signed with the UFC last summer and is now 1-0 with the promotion. Rising up through the ranks with her grappling abilities, Blanchfield has shown what she’s capable of in the striking department. If you don’t believe it, look no further than her thunderous head kick knockout over Victoria Leonardo from Invicta FC 39 in February. There aren’t many women at flyweight who pack that kind of power. With a win in the upcoming Invicta FC 41 co-main event, Blanchfield positions herself nicely for a UFC or Bellator call.
In his own words: “I think for me (my advantage) is my mentality. I’ve always tried to be as well-rounded as possible. People always pin me as this jiu-jitsu fighter but I’m much more well-rounded than that. I’m really good at jiu-jitsu but I also have good striking and wrestling and everything. I’m always trying to build my skillset. I’m never satisfied with being good at one thing. (Why have) my only place to win a fight (be) in one area? I want to be able to win the fight everywhere. I think that’s one of my biggest advantages.”
“I think I’m very close (to getting a call) – especially if I can get a good finish in this fight, which I plan on doing… I’m young, but I’m very focused. I put everything into this. This is my entire life. I’ve been training since I was 7. I’ve been focused purely on MMA since I was 18. So even though I’m young, I have a good amount of experience now. I’ve put so much time and work into it that it makes up for my age.”
Fight footage courtesy of UFC Fight Pass, the UFC’s official digital subscription service, which is currently offering a seven-day free trial. UFC Fight Pass gives fans access to exclusive live UFC events and fights, exclusive live MMA and combat sports events from around the world, exclusive original and behind the scenes content and unprecedented 24-7 access to the world’s biggest fight library.