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Erin Blanchfield knocked Invicta rival unconscious with a head kick over a year before UFC debut

Don’t sleep on Erin Blanchfield’s standup ahead of the UFC Vegas 107 main event.

UFC flyweight contender Erin Blanchfield is one of the division’s top stars, and she’ll meet another one of the division’s top names this weekend at UFC Vegas 107. But almost two full years before Blanchfield made her first walk to the Octagon, she made a name for herself in the all-female MMA promotion Invicta FC, where she earned some of the nastiest finishes in women’s MMA history.

Blanchfield and Maycee Barber headline an intriguing UFC Vegas 107 card this Saturday at the Apex. The winner could potentially be next in line for a title shot, as UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko ponders a possible super fight with Zhang Weili.

Blanchfield and Barber look to put on a show this weekend at UFC Vegas 107. While both fighters are known for their ruthless grappling and ground-and-pound, don’t be surprised if the matchup ends in a jaw-dropping knockout on the feet.

Erin Blanchfield poses on the scale at the UFC Edmonton ceremonial weigh-in
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Erin Blanchfield showcased rare power at flyweight almost two years before UFC debut

Two fights after suffering her first-career loss to Tracy Cortez, Blanchfield faced off with Victoria Leonardo at Invicta FC 39. Blanchfield and Leonardo clashed in a flyweight bout on a card shared with the likes of Miranda Maverick, Pearl Gonzalez, and Jillian DeCoursey.

But it was Blanchfield who stole the show and attracted the attention of the UFC matchmakers with her performance in the Invicta cage.

It was a back-and-forth first round between Leonardo and Blanchfield, as the two talented flyweights landed heavy blows in the opening minutes of the fight. But Blanchfield was able to win the early clinch and grappling exchanges, controlling Leonardo and preventing any dangerous scenarios inside.

Out of nowhere in Round 2, Blanchfield found an opening on a backtracking Leonardo, landing a nasty head kick that knocked out her opponent instantly. The win left an emotional Blanchfield overwhelmed as she moved one step closer to a call from the UFC brass.

Erin Blanchfield looks to deter Valentina Shevchenko from Zhang Weili title fight

Blanchfield followed up her win over Leonardo with a decisive victory over The Ultimate Fighter finalist Brogan Walker-Sanchez at Invicta FC 41. She would make her UFC debut in Sept. 2021, outpointing Sarah Alpar by unanimous decision.

Blanchfield has the opportunity to secure another highlight-reel victory this weekend at UFC Vegas 107. A win could potentially secure a fight date against Shevchenko and her first-career UFC title shot.

After Shevchenko’s recent win over Manon Fiorot, Weili took to social media to pitch a ‘destined’ matchup with the UFC flyweight champion. Weili most recently defended the UFC strawweight title against Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312.