[autotag]Erin Blanchfield[/autotag] remained unbeaten in the octagon, but [autotag]Taila Santos[/autotag] didn’t make it easy for her.
In the main card of UFC Fight Night 225 at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore, Blanchfield (12-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) was able to absorb Santos’ (19-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) early strikes and use a heavy grapple approach to earn the unanimous decision win in their pivotal flyweight clash Saturday.
Santos got the better of the exchanges on the feet early, stuffing Blanchfield’s first takedown attempt. A Santos leg kick dropped Blanchfield, and the Brazilian then caused a gash on Blanchfield’s nose. Santos then connected with a clean right hook, which prompted Blanchfield to flurry and stack her against the cage. Blanchfield tripped Santos, who tried to take her back, but Blanchfield got up. Blanchfield ended the round stacking Santos against the cage.
Blanchfield flurried Santos to start Round 2, and shot in for the takedown. Santos continued to defend well, until Blanchfield was finally able to land the takedown midway through the round. Blanchfield advanced position, looking for an arm triangle choke, but Santos made her way back up. A much better round for Blanchfield, who was able to dictate the pace with her grappling.
Santos started off Round 3 by landing singular shots, but Blanchfield eventually drove her to the fence. Santos defended well, but Blanchfield shot again as soon as they broke free. Blanchfield landed a big right hand to close the fight strong and take Rounds 2 and 3 on the judges’ scorecards.
Blanchfield made it six straight in the octagon, and called for the winner of the flyweight title fight rematch between champion Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko, which headlines Noche UFC on Sept. 16.
Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 225 results include:
- Erin Blanchfield def. Taila Santos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Junior Tafa def. Parker Porter via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 1:24
- Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Lukasz Brzeski via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 3:01
- Garrett Armfield def. Toshiomi Kazama via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:16
- Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Chidi Njokuani via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:16
- Song Kenan def. Rolando Bedoya via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Billy Goff def. Yusaku Kinoshita via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:49
- JJ Aldrich def. Liang Na via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 4:49
- Seungwoo Choi def. Jarno Errens via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 225.