Two of the form athletes of the women's flyweight division will go head to head at UFC Atlantic City, as No. 2-ranked Erin Blanchfield and No. 3-ranked Manon Fiorot get set to face off in a de-facto championship eliminator on March 30.
The bout was announced by Dana White as part of a social media video revealing a host of upcoming fight bookings, with Blanchfield vs. Fiorot likely to decide which of the pair will challenge for the women's 125-pound title later in 2024.
Since her arrival in the UFC in 2021, Blanchfield has surged up the women's flyweight rankings, with victories over Sarah Alpar, Miranda Maverick, JJ Aldrich, Molly McCann, Jessica Andrade, and Taila Santos. Overall, Blanchfield's record stands at 12-1, and she heads into her March 30 matchup on a nine-fight win streak.
Remarkably, France's Fiorot has an even longer winning run. She'll arrive in Atlantic City on an 11-fight tear, with her last six victories coming under the UFC banner. Her wins came over Victoria Leonardo, Tabatha Ricci, Mayra Bueno Silva, Jennifer Maia, Katlyn Chookagian, and Rose Namajunas.
The two surging contenders both stand just one win away from a potential shot at the 125-pound title currently held by Mexico's Alexa Grasso. And, with Grasso and former champion Valentina Shevchenko likely to face off in a trilogy bout in the first half of the year, Blanchfield and Fiorot have the opportunity to cement themselves as the next fighter in line to challenge for the belt.
UFC Atlantic City: Confirmed bouts
- Erin Blanchfield vs. Manon Fiorot
- Virna Jandiroba vs. Loopy Godinez
