After about a year away from the Octagon, Erin Blanchfield showed why she's a top name at 125, scoring a submission of Tracy Cortez during the UFC 322 prelims -- avenging a previous loss in the process. Impact-Site-Verification: 4e5f36a6-f7f1-45e3-9e5f-57a88e055dc0
To the surprise of plenty, Blanchfield elected to not use her grappling in the opening frame, standing in a kickboxing battle with Cortez. Cortez took advantage and seemed to be quicker to the punch, landing well on inside shots.
It was Cortez, however, who shot for and scored the takedown early in the second round, getting to the back of Blanchfield. Blanchfield, however, managed to work her way in countering to the back of Cortez. Blanchfield then traded well with Cortez in the stand-up game before scoring her own takedown and threatening an arm-triangle choke.
Blanchfield scored another takedown in the second round's final minute, locking up a rear-naked choke and scoring the win.
Erin Blanchfield Submits Tracy Cortez At UFC 322
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Blanchfield has won 11 of 12, with her sole UFC loss coming against Manon Fiorot at UFC Atlantic City in March 2024. This was her first fight since defeating Rose Namajunas UFC Edmonton in November 2024.
Cortez has now lost two of her last three since starting her MMA career 11-1.
