talkSPORT betting tips – Best UFC bets and expert advice for ESPN 54 Blanchfield vs Fiorot
Number 2 meets number 3 in the UFC Women’s Flyweight division this weekend as Erin Blanchfield faces Manon Fiorot.
New Jersey’s Blanchfield gets home billing here as the UFC makes its 10th visit to Atlantic City against France’s Fiorot with both undefeated in the Octagon.
The co-main sees the return of Vincte Luque as he faces Joaquin Buckley on a card which has plenty of European interest.
UFC Tips
- Erin Blanchfield to win by Submission @ 21/10
- Rhys McKee to win @ 11/10
- Ibo Aslan to win by KO, TKO or DQ - 21/20
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Home win for Blanchfield
Erin Blanchfield and Manon Fiorot have eerily similar records inside the UFC.
Both are 6-0 in the Octagon going into this bout, with one professional defeat each coming earlier in their careers.
Although they have no shared opponent, both have wins over former UFC champions in Jessica Andrade (Blachfield) and Rose Namajunas (Fiorot).
You can also split hairs between their striking stats for punches landed, strikes absorbed and defence.
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Although it is hard to find much between them on paper, Blanchfield’s strength and grappling could well give her the edge here.
So far Fiorot has proved difficult to take down and control on the ground, however Blanchfield boasts three submissions in her six UFC wins, with Andrade and Molly McCann amongst her victims.
On the feet Fiorot could well prove too technical, however, so side with Blanchfield’s wider skill-set finding her success in her takedowns and eventually securing another submission victory.
Rhys to find the key to victory
If there was anyone who has had an unenviable UFC run it is Rhys McKee.
The Northern Irish fighter made his UFC debut on six days’ notice, ultimately as fodder for Khamzat Chimaev as he burst on to the scene on Fight Island in 2020, making McKee his second first round finish in 10 days.
McKee was cut after a UD loss to Alex Morono later that year but returned to Cage Warriors to win the Welterweight title.
The now 28-year-old lost a decision on his return to the UFC in Paris last September surviving a barrage in the first two rounds from Ange Loosa, before almost finishing him in the latter stages of the third round.
As a former BAMMA champion there is no doubt McKee has the talent to be in the UFC, but now is the time he has to prove it as he comes up against veteran Chidi Njokuani.
The 35 year old is 2-3 in the UFC, losing three in a row and getting stopped in two of those fights.
Although Njokuani is losing to good opponents he moves down in weight here and at 35 years old the 15lb drop could prove too much.
With McKee’s high-volume output the time is now for him to finally make his mark in the Octagon and he could well be undervalued in the market here.
Turkish power to win on debut
Last season on the Contender Series saw Turkey’s Ibo Aslan earn a UFC contract with a first-round stoppage of Paulo Renato Jr.
Interestingly the 27-year-old looks to avenge his only career defeat in his Octagon debut as he faces Anton Turkalj.
The Swedish fighter is 0-3 in the UFC losing to Jailton Almeida, Vitor Petrino and Tyson Pedro in what has been a particularly tough run.
Aslan was dominating the pair’s fight on Brave back in 2020, however a mistake in the second round allowed Turkalji to secure a submission win.
The Turkish fighter looks in much better condition these days and has some serious power in his hands and with his leg kicks.
With Turkalji suffering a nasty KO to Tyson Pedro back in September, take Aslan to get his revenge in similar fashion.
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