Blanchfield edges Santos, calls for UFC title shot

Erin Blanchfield is one step closer to a shot at the UFC women's flyweight title.

Blanchfield defeated Taila Santos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) in a key battle of contenders at UFC Singapore on Saturday.

After remaining undefeated in the promotion, Blanchfield wants to challenge for the belt following the Sept. 16 rematch between champion Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko.

"I want a title shot next," Blanchfield said in her postfight interview. "I want the winner of Valentina versus Grasso."

Blanchfield, one of the most promising prospects in women's MMA history who has risen to contention in the last year, had to work hard to secure the biggest victory of her career.

Santos started fast in Round 1, lighting Blanchfield up with powerful strikes on the feet. Blanchfield, known for her grappling, struggled to get Santos to the ground. But she managed to wear on Santos enough in the last two rounds to win the fight. Blanchfield wound up on top of Santos midway through Round 2 and took her back.

Blanchfield pressed Santos up against the fence for a lot of the third round, jockeying for position. She ended the fight by landing a few punches and a heavy high kick.

With the victory, the 24-year-old Blanchfield is now 6-0 in the UFC. She earned a submission win over former strawweight champ Jessica Andrade in a February main event to join the top five of the women's 125-pound rankings.

Santos hadn't stepped into the Octagon since coming up short to Shevchenko in a June 2022 title bout. Now 4-3 in the UFC, the Brazilian is riding the first losing streak of her career.