NEW YORK – Erin Blanchfield wants to move up the rankings and get closer to UFC gold.
The women’s flyweight rising contender picked up a dominant win Saturday when she submitted Molly McCann (13-5 MMA, 6-4 UFC) in the first round of their contest at UFC 281. Now on a seven-fight winning streak and unbeaten in the UFC, Blanchfield (10-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) wants a step up in competition.
In her in-cage post-fight interview, Blanchfield made a couple of callouts.
“I want to move into the top 10,” Blanchfield told Joe Rogan. “I know Casey (O’Neil) is still hurt, but Andrea Lee doesn’t have any fight, and she’s No. 9. I’d love to take that spot.”
It didn’t take long for O’Neill to respond and clarify she might soon be available.
“Hey! Not injured for much longer,” O’Neill wrote on Twitter.
Hey! Not injured too much longer #ufc281
— Casey Oneill (@kingcaseymma) November 13, 2022
When asked about which bout she would prefer at the UFC post-fight press conference, Blanchfield said either works.
“I don’t really care. I just want to get someone in the top 10,” Blanchfield told reporters. “So either of those girls they match me up with, that (would) be perfect.”
Blanchfield is just 23 and already regarded as one of the most promising up-and-comers in the UFC. She understands there’s high expectations on her and is not shy of saying she’d one day like to face champion Valentina Shevchenko.
“I love that the fans are saying that,” Blanchfield said. “I know I’ll take the steps I need and once I get to fight her, I’ll beat her.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 281.
Erin Blanchfield wants Andrea Lee or Casey O’Neill next: ‘I want to move into the top 10’