A lot has happened in the women's flyweight division since Erin Blanchfield stepped in the cage 11 months ago.
There's a new champion and several contenders knocking on the door for the first crack, and Blanchfield (14-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) is among them. At UFC Fight Night 291 on Saturday, Blanchfield will have the opportunity to prove a point.
"It's so crazy," Blanchfield told MMA Junkie on Monday. "I feel like it does really show how quickly MMA changes, how the landscape changes. I would've never thought Valentina (Shevchenko) would vacate her belt and would have been injured for that long that she needs to give it up. She's been someone who has been such a dominant champ. Yeah, I think at least with her vacating and stepping to the side, Natalia
(Silva) is the champ now. There's no wishy-washy interim in Valentina maybe coming back soon. It's kind of solidified and the whole division can move forward."
In order to remind the world why she's one of the most reputable contenders, Blanchfield takes on Jasmine Jasudavicius in the co-main event Saturday at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Canada. With a win, she could extend her streak to three. Meanwhile, Jasudavicius seeks to continue to build on momentum generated by an April win over Karine Silva.
"She's very good. She knows how to use her skill set, like her speed and her footwork, to her advantage. She knows how to win fights. She can be someone tricky. ... I think with Valentina stepping out and she's kind of injured, we don't know how long she'll be out. She said at least a year or so. Natalia is saying she wants to be an active champ. I think that makes perfect sense. I think this makes me and Jasmine a No. 1 contender fight. Me winning Saturday puts me right in that position."
Blanchfield has put forth a catalog of impressive showings since her UFC debut in late 2021. However, she admits Jasudavicius (15-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC) brings a new test to the table. In fact, it's an approach Blanchfield has not seen thus far in the promotion.
"She's a heavy wrestler," Blanchfield said. "I don't think I've fought really anyone who's wanted to grapple me back. Even if they have, it's basically because I forced it first. I think it is going to be fun to fight someone who wants to grapple with me and force that wrestling. I think that'll make for an exciting fight."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Erin Blanchfield predicts earning title shot at UFC Edmonton – but expects one new challenge
