Erin Blanchfield
Erin Blanchfield is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the women's Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. She is a former Eddie Bravo Invitational champion. As of December 16, 2025, she is #3 in the UFC women's flyweight rankings, and as of November 18, 2025, she is #7 in the UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings.
Background
A native of Elmwood Park, New Jersey, Blanchfield started training jiu-jitsu at the age of seven. Two years later, she started competing in kickboxing and grappling tournaments. By the age of 12, she decided she wanted to be a professional fighter.Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Blanchfield fought under Fighting Championships and amassed a record of 1–0 prior to being signed by Invicta Fighting Championships.Invicta Fighting Championships
Blanchfield made her Invicta debut on March 17, 2018, against Brittney Cloudy at Invicta FC 30. She won the fight by split decision.Her next fight came on November 16, 2018, facing Kay Hansen at Invicta FC 32. She won the fight via majority decision.
On February 15, 2019, Blanchfield faced Tracy Cortez at Invicta FC 34. She lost the fight via split decision.
Blanchfield faced Gabriella Gulfin on June 4, 2019 at Cage Fury Fighting Championships 76. She won the fight via submission in round one.
On February 7, 2020, Blanchfield returned to Invicta, facing Victoria Leonardo at Invicta FC 39. In the second round Blanchfield dropped Leonardo with a head kick, finishing off the technical knockout victory with punches.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Blanchfield was expected to make her UFC debut as a short notice replacement for Bea Malecki against Norma Dumont on April 10, 2021 at UFC on ABC: Vettori vs. Holland in a Bantamweight bout. In turn, the bout was pulled from the card by after Dumont missed weight by 3.5lbs.Blanchfield faced Sarah Alpar on September 18, 2021 at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Spann. She won the fight via unanimous decision.
Blanchfield was expected to face Maycee Barber, replacing Montana De La Rosa, on December 11, 2021 at UFC 269. However, Barber withdrew in early November due to undisclosed reasons, and she was replaced by Miranda Maverick. Blanchfield won the fight by unanimous decision. She furthermore set the women's flyweight single-fight takedown record, with eight total takedowns.
Blanchfield faced JJ Aldrich on June 4, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 207. She won the bout via guillotine choke in the second round.
Blanchfield faced Molly McCann on November 12, 2022 at UFC 281. She won the fight via a kimura submission in the first round.
Blanchfield was scheduled to face Taila Santos on February 18, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 219. When the main event fight between Cory Sandhagen and Marlon Vera was rescheduled for another event, Blanchfield's fight against Santos was moved up to serve as the main event. Santos dropped out of the bout after her cornermen were denied visas into the United States, and was replaced by former UFC Women's Strawweight Champion Jéssica Andrade. Blanchfield won the fight via submission in round two. This win earned her the Performance of the Night award.
The match with Taila Santos was rebooked and took place on August 26, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 225. Blanchfield won the bout via unanimous decision.
Blanchfield faced Manon Fiorot on March 30, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 54. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Blanchfield faced former two-time UFC Women's Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas on November 2, 2024 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 246. The bout was later shifted to the co-main event but remained five rounds. She won the fight by unanimous decision.
Blanchfield was scheduled to face Maycee Barber in the main event on May 31, 2025 at UFC on ESPN 68. At the weigh-ins, Barber weighed in at 126.5 pounds, half a pound over the women's flyweight non-title fight limit. The bout was set to be at catchweight and Barber was to be fined 20 percent of her purse which was to go to Blanchfield. However, minutes before the walkouts were to take place, Barber had to withdraw due to a medical issue involving a seizure and the bout was cancelled.
Blanchfield faced Tracy Cortez in a rematch on November 15, 2025 at UFC 322. She won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.
Personal life
Until 2021, Blanchfield was studying Television and Digital Media with a concentration in sports media at Montclair State University, with an aim to becoming a commentator. Blanchfield is the daughter of George and Betsy Blanchfield, and has one brother, Brendan, who is also a mixed martial artist.Championships and accomplishments
Brazilian jiu-jitsu
- Eddie Bravo Invitational
- *Eddie Bravo Invitational Champion
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- *Performance of the Night
- * Fifth longest win streak in UFC Women's Flyweight division history
- * Second most submissions in UFC Women's Flyweight division history
- * Tied for third most finishes in UFC Women's Flyweight division history
- * Second lowest bottom position time in UFC Women's Flyweight division history
- * Second lowest bottom position percentage in UFC Women's Flyweight division history
- *UFC.com Awards
- **2021: Ranked #5 Newcomer of the Year
- **2023: Ranked #6 Submission of the Year
- Invicta Fighting Championships
- *Performance of the Night vs. Victoria Leonardo, Brogan Walker-Sanchez
- Yahoo Sports
- *2021 MMA Prospect of the Year
- MMA Fighting
- *2022 Second Team MMA All-Star