Erin Blanchfield questions if the UFC flyweight division is catching up to dominant champion Valentina Shevchenko, suggesting her repetitive techniques may be her downfall and hopes to prove this with a title shot against the winner of the Shevchenko-Alexa Grasso rematch.
Valentina Shevchenko, the reigning champion in the UFC, has achieved a string of victories in seven title defenses, becoming the dominant force in the flyweight division. However, many are beginning to wonder if she can retain her reign, faced by the rapidly evolving division. One such aspiring contender, Erin Blanchfield, is particularly curious. She is eagerly awaiting her chance to contend for the title, hoping to face either Shevchenko or Alexa Grasso, who are lined up for an upcoming rematch at Noche UFC on Saturday. In the initial fight, Shevchenko’s spinning back kick was repelled by Grasso’s takedown and successful choke submission. At the time, it was a shocking outcome, yet Blanchfield confesses that it wasn’t wholly unexpected.
Blanchfield, in an interview, characterized Shevchenko as a creature of habit, following a repetitive fighting routine. She believes that although Shevchenko remained fierce during her UFC years, she has failed to alter her playbook, making it difficult for her to throw her warriors off balance. This was also validated by Grasso’s successful game plan during their first match. Such repetitions and lack of adaptability were among the reasons why Grasso’s strategy was highly effective against Shevchenko. Known as a striking fighter, Shevchenko later enhanced her ability by encompassing various tactics, including a sleek submission game and wrestling tactics fortified with an aggressive ground-and-pound attack strategy.
Meanwhile, the flyweight division is seeing a surge of adept fighters. Fighters like Blanchfield are relentlessly pressing for a chance to show Shevchenko isn’t infallible. Accordingly, Blanchfield quotes, “I feel like the division is catching up to Valentina.” A new age of fighters, starting MMA training at younger ages and venturing into multiple martial arts forms, are driving the swift evolution of the division, posing more competitive challenges for champions like Shevchenko. These developments sparked Blanchfield’s belief that although Grasso’s initial win over Shevchenko came at a cost, there could be an easier path to victory. Despite not making explicit strategies for Grasso’s use, Blanchfield is hopeful that if the reigning champion doesn’t make adjustments during the match to keep up with these rapid developments, Shevchenko may not remain invincible for long.