Manon Fiorot hands Erin Blanchfield first octagon defeat in UFC Atlantic City main event
The Ultimate Fighting Championship returned to us tonight, March 30, 2024, for UFC Atlantic City, going down live from Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Headlining the event was a title eliminator bout in the flyweight division between no. 2 ranked Erin Blanchfield (12-2) and no. 3 ranked Manon Fiorot (12-1).
Following defeat in her fourth professional bout via split decision, Blanchfield had since won her last nine-straight fights, including a perfect 6-0 run inside the UFC.
Fiorot on the other hand, following a split decision defeat in her professional debut, had since gone on to win her next 11-straight, also including a 6-0 run inside the UFC’s octagon.
Continue reading to see how our flyweight main event of the evening went down:
Official Result: Manon Fiorot def. Erin Blanchfield via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
Fiorot picked Blanchfield apart from the outside through much of the opening round. She took Blanchfield down, slamming her down to the mat, Blanchfield of which wrapped up a guillotine choke in the process. Fiorot got back to her feet, but still had her neck wrapped up for a time there.
Fiorot eventually escaped the position and went back to winning the exchanges on the feet, Blanchfield going forward with combinations and backing her up as the first round came to a close.
Fiorot continued piecing Blachfield up in round two as she was coming in, and did a good job of stuffing every takedown attempt thrown her way.
Blanchfield definitely had a better third round than she did in the first or second, landing a number of solid kicks and some good punches to the head of Fiorot, but continued to eat a lot of shots herself. And every time she tied up with Fiorot in search of a takedown she was shrugged right off. Fiorot was clearly the stronger fighter of the two.
Blanchfield had a great start to round four, forcing Fiorot backwards and though eating some shots, landing good ones of her own in return. Fiorot continues forcing Blanchfield to follow her and has a good second half to the round.
Blanchfield had a decent round five as well, landing a head kick in the opening seconds and controlling the center throughout, though she was ultimately picked apart by the cleaner, more skilled striker she couldn’t take down.
Manon Fiorot improves her win streak to 12-straight and hands Erin Blanchfield her first octagon defeat tonight at UFC Atlantic City.
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