UFC Fight Night predictions — Jessica Andrade vs. Erin Blanchfield: Fight card, odds, start time, live stream

Erin Blanchfield has championship potential and Jessica Andrade has already reached the top of the mountain. The two will compete in the main event of UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas, with the winner likely to be shortlisted for a UFC title fight.

Andrade (24-9) is a real gamer. The Brazilian replaces Tayla Santos with seven days’ notice and less than a month after winning UFC 283. Andrade has been on the warpath since she lost the UFC Women’s strawweight title to Zhang Weili and lost to flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko.

Andrade jumps between the two divisions on a whim to terrorize his rivals. Andrade enters UFC Fight Night with a three-fight winning streak that includes a 1st-round TKO of Cynthia Calvillo, a submission of Amanda Lemos in just over three minutes, and a decision over Lauren Murphy, where she edged her out by 237: 100. Andrade is hopeful. to fight Zhang for the strawweight title after defeating Blanchfield in the flyweight division, to hell with the weight divisions.

“I think with four wins in a row, I’m actually closer to meeting [Zhang] Weili,” Andrade told reporters through a translator on Wednesday’s media day.

“I went to China to meet Weili. We can fight in Las Vegas, which is great, or anywhere in the United States, but that’s second nature to her. I want to take her to Brazil because I went to China to meet her. I want to take her out of her comfort zone. I went to her, so why not do it for me? But I want to stay at minimum weight, I’ve been saying this all along. Again, four wins in a row and trailing the prospect, I think I’ll be considered here because of a really clear hit on Whaley.”

Can’t get enough of boxing and MMA? Get the latest martial arts news from two of the best in the business. Subscribe to Morning Kombat with Luke Thomas and Brian Campbell for the best analysis and detailed news.

Blanchfield (10-1) is looking to use this fight as a launching pad for Shevchenko. At UFC 281, Blanchfield went from an unsung contender to a serious fighter. Booed by the American crowd in Madison Square Garden in favor of beloved scouser Molly McCann, Blanchfield did the job with ease. She ran over McCann like a freight train. A light takedown resulted in crucifixion of the elbows and a nasty kimura lock, bending and twisting McCann’s arm at awkward angles. It was a one-sided performance that introduced Blanchfield to a wide audience and cemented her status as a potential world champion. Andrade presents an unexpected opportunity to live up to high expectations.

“She has a lot more fights than me or Tayla,” Blanchfield said on Wednesday. “I think that’s the only reason why. She is very strong. She is different from Tayla. But I don’t think it’s necessarily a higher combat skill. I think it might be more for people who know Andrade.

“I know what it means to win this fight. If the next fight is for the title, I will do it. If they want me to fight someone else, I will do that too.”

Below is the rest of the battle map for Saturday night with the latest odds from Caesar’s bookmaker before we move on to the forecast and select the main event.

UFC Fight Night card, odds

Darling	outsider	Weight category
Jessica Andrade -135	Erin Blanchfield +115	Women’s flyweight
Zack Pauga -280	Jordan Wright +230	light heavyweight
Jamal Pog – 260	Josh Parisian +210	heavyweight
William Knight -120	Marcin Prahnio +100	light heavyweight
Alexander Hernandez -235	Jim Miller +190	Easy

Viewing information for UFC Fight Night

Date of: February 18 | Start time: 7:00 pm ET (main map)
Location: UFC Apex – Las Vegas, Nevada
TV channel: ESPN+

Forecast

Jessica Andrade vs Erin Blanchfield: Blanchfield certainly has championship potential, but I’m afraid Andrade might prove himself too soon. The move from McMann to Andrade is an absurd competitive leap, and Andrade is a force to be reckoned with right now. Andrade is physically very strong, with a low center of gravity, a solid 73% takedown defense, and great submission play. Someone can physically ground Andrade. Shevchenko managed to land seven of his seven takedowns in a one-sided fight. Blanchfield averages four takedowns per 15 minutes. Although Blanchfield doesn’t have the same strength as Shevchenko, she has titled experience in dealing with EBI and is great with takedowns. This will be necessary if she wants to put Andrade on the ground. Blanchfield plays well with elbows and knees in the clinch, but it’s a dangerous game with a fat and strong Andrade. Especially since Blanchfield is susceptible to counterattacks. I wonder how well Andrade’s stamina will last in short order, but if her stamina is there, she definitely has more chances to win the fight. Andrade via KO2