One of the most exciting bouts on a stacked UFC 281 card, is a prelim flyweight fight between top 15 women Erin Blanchfield (9-1) and Molly McCann (13-4).
All the recent UFC events that have had McCann involved have been full of electricity. With that kind of star power meeting a highly skilled martial artist like Blanchfield, it is must-see TV.
Erin Blanchfield vs. Molly McCann Information
- Venue and Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
- Date: November 12, 2022
- How to Watch: ESPN+
Last Fight Records
Erin Blanchfield is coming off a submission victory over JJ Aldrich in June. “Meatball” Molly McCann is riding high off of back-to-back spinning elbow KO’s in her last two fights.
Blanchfield vs. McCann Analysis
There isn’t much you can say in a Molly McCann fight preview than sing her praises. Her run she has been on in the last year, and half has been special.
She has paved the way for women in the UFC to gain stardom and earn a living outside of the cage. It all starts with putting on exciting performances in the octagon.
Blanchfield One of the Most Skilled Prospects
Blanchfield is one of the most skilled prospects the UFC has ever seen. She has world-class jiu-jitsu skills, paired with Muay Thai striking that she has been training since she could barely walk.
When looking at Erin Blanchfield stats in the UFC, you see her ridiculous skills through the numbers. She lands 5.69 strikes per minute, while only absorbing 2.50.
To go along with that, Blanchfield averages almost 4 takedowns per 15 minutes with 66% accuracy. This 23-year-old is legit and will be fighting against the best in the world for a very long time.
McCann’s Boxing Background
McCann likes to scrap too. Coming from a boxing background, Blanchfield vs McCann prediction show that she likes to let her hands go and bring the fight to her opponents.
She averages more strikes landed per minute than Blanchfield, with 5.84. But with her reckless style at times, she absorbs 4.84 per minute as well.
McCann also trains at a great grappling gym and almost has her brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Blanchfield Technical Skills
Blanchfield has the more technical skills of a mixed martial artist. We haven’t seen her face much adversity in her fight career, though.
McCann has been through the ringer in her career, both in MMA and boxing. She trains hard with very tough partners and has made many lifestyle changes to take this run seriously. She feels like this is her moment.
Odds Breakdown
Erin Blanchfield
UFC odds have Blanchfield as a big betting favorite at -400. This is not surprising if you are familiar to the dominant performances that Blanchfield has put on against some very good talent.
Molly McCann
Whatever you say about Blanchfield, it is still surprising to see McCann at the +300 underdog at the end of fight week.
She has the power and boxing ability to hurt anybody in the division early and often in the octagon. The under 2.5 rounds is also in plus money.
Blanchfield vs. McCann Betting Pick and Prediction
UFC predictions this weekend are very difficult to make with this stacked card of close fights. The odds are surprising for this one, with these two women being ranked next to each other, and McCann being on the run she is on.
McCann will need to put the pressure on Blanchfield from the jump. Blanchfield vs McCann prediction is that she needs to be in her face and throwing her boxing combinations confidently and with bad intentions. We know that McCann is durable and can take shots.
We know McCann is looking for a spectacular finish, but she needs to really be great in her wrestling defense. If she tries jumping a guillotine early and going to her back, it might be a long night for the UK rising star.
Who to Bet On?
Even with the odds being the way they are, the final Blanchfield vs McCann prediction is “Meatball” winning the biggest fight of her life. She has so much great energy on her side this week and is on such a momentum wave.
She has been battle-tested, and I think if she can bring the 23-year-old star into deep water for the first time in her career, she will be able to dig deeper and win.
Don’t be surprised if McCann shocks the world again with a wild finish as well.
With the odds so unbalanced like this, if you aren’t skipping this fight, you might as well put it on the big underdog with all the hype.
She has a better chance of finishing Blanchfield than she does on the scorecards.
Pick 1: McCann (+300)
Pick 2: McCann wins inside distance +600
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