Erin Blanchfield and Manon Fiorot are all set for their number one contender bout with only one fighter missing weight ahead of UFC Atlantic City on Saturday night (March 30).
The rapid rise of Blanchfield has many fans talking. At only 24-years-old has looked a serious threat to the Flyweight division since joining the UFC in 2021. After wins against Sarah Alpar, Miranda Maverick and JJ Aldrich, Blanchfield really shot her name into contention at UFC 281, when she beat Molly McCann with a first round submission.
Following that, she took out another notable name, beating Jessica Andrade with a second submission. She then beat Talia Santos which effectively lined up the upcoming bout with Fiorot.
Much like Blanchfield, Fiorot has shot through the rankings over her six fights. Since her only loss in her professional debut to Leah McCourt, Fiorot has shown some serious skill in her rise to the top of the Flyweight division. The elite striker showed exactly what she was about with a punch perfect performance, and second round stoppage, against Victoria Leonardo in her promotional debut.
She then picked up another eye catching stoppage against Tabatha Ricci just five months later with another standing TKO. She capped off her first year in the UFC with another win, this time against Mayra Bueno Silva.
After the Silva win, the big names started coming for Fiorot. First up, was Jennifer Maia at UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Daukaus. The Frenchwoman looked extremely comfortable over the three rounds and took the unanimous decision, with all three judges giving her all three rounds.
She then featured on her first numbered card at UFC 280, when she faced Katlyn Cerminara. After a slow start, with Cerminara taking the first round, Fiorot built into the contest and took the second and third. She only managed to make the walk once last year but took out her biggest name to date, handing 'Thug' Rose Namajunas a unanimous decision loss.
In the co-main event, the number 11 ranked Vincente Luque will be looking to keep his place in the ranks as Joaquin Buckley gets his first shot at a ranked Welterweight.
The bout will mark Luque's first time in The Octagon since August 2023, in his win against Rafael dos Anjos. He was scheduled to fight former stable mate Ian Machado Garry in December 2023 but Machado Garry was forced to withdraw. The cancellations kept coming for Luque, with his original opponent for tomorrow night, Sean Brady, pulling out of the bout.
On four weeks notice, Buckley got the call and took the opportunity with both hands. The drop to Welterweight has proven to be a good move for 'New Mansa', who has racked up wins against Andre Fialho and Alex Morono since the drop to 170lbs. A win against Luque would put Buckley in the rankings and help him take another step towards his title ambitions.
MMA legend Chris Weidman will face Bruno Silva in a Middleweight clash. The fight is only Weidman's second one back since his horror leg break against Uriah Hall. In his return, the former champion dropped a unanimous decision to Brad Tavares. Silva will be desperate to get back to winning ways as he currently finds himself on a 2 fight skid and bolstering a 4-4 promotional record.
Bill Algeo and Kyle Wilson have been in fine form of late and will no doubt deliver a fan friendly bout when two meet at 145lbs.
Former Cage Warriors champion Rhys McKee is still searching for his first UFC win and will be hoping he can secure it against Chidi Njokuani at 170lbs.
The card also features rising prospects Victoria Dudakova, Caolan Loughran and Conner Matthews.
All but one athlete made weight ahead of their fights, with Julio Arce coming in at 147.25lbs.
Watch all of the UFC Fight Night: Atlantic City weigh-ins, below:
