The women's flyweight division has seen a shake-up recently, with Alexa Grasso's unexpected victory over long-reigning champion Valentina Shevchenko causing a stir. With Grasso and Shevchenko tied up filming "The Ultimate Fighter," Blanchfield and Fiorot saw an opportunity to stake their claim as the next contenders. Both fighters are eager to keep the momentum going and prove they deserve a shot at the title.
Blanchfield is confident in her abilities, seeing this fight as a pivotal moment in her career. "I feel like it definitely should be (a title eliminator)," she said. "I'm No. 2, she's No. 3. The only two girls ahead of us are the girls that have been fighting for the title. So when I win Saturday, I feel like I'm definitely a lock for the title."
Fiorot, on the other hand, is not underestimating Blanchfield but believes she has faced tougher opponents in the past. Blanchfield, however, is unfazed by comparisons, focusing instead on her preparation and strategy for the fight. "Every fight is obviously super tough," she said. "Everyone in the top five is super tough. We've both beat former champions. My last fight was with Taila Santos who some people thought beat Valentina (Shevchenko). We've both had tough fights. I think my road's been a little bit tougher."
With both fighters hungry for a shot at the title, UFC on ESPN 54 is shaping up to be a must-watch event. Blanchfield vs. Fiorot promises to be a thrilling showdown between two of the best in the division, with the winner likely to be next in line for a shot at UFC gold.
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