Erin Blanchfield responds to Maycee Barber dissing her fighting style
UFC on ESPN 68 headliner Erin Blanchfield spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters at media day for her women’s flyweight bout vs. Maycee Barber.
LAS VEGAS – Erin Blanchfield is unbothered by Maycee Barber repeatedly labeling her a “one-dimensional fighter” ahead of their UFC on ESPN 68 main event.
Blanchfield (13-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) meets Barber (14-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) in an important women’s flyweight contender bout on Saturday at the UFC Apex (ESPN, ESPN+). Both women feel a dominant performance will lead to a fight with champion Valentina Shevchenko, but first, they must deal with each other.
Barber hasn’t been shy in taking shots at Blanchfield’s fighting style, and said she is coming to the octagon with violent intentions. Blanchfield has heard it before, and she is unfazed by all of Barber’s comments.
“Most of the time I feel like I brush it off,” Blanchfield told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “People have got to say what they’ve got to say. I know who I am as a fighter, and I know I’m well-rounded.
“Maycee’s a pretty aggressive fighter. A lot of forward pressure. Big hooks. This is her first five-rounder, so I could see her possibly being a little more reserved, but I think that’s going to come out of her at some point.”
Despite having slightly fewer total fights than her opponent, Blanchfield holds multiple advantages on paper over Barber. She has gone the 25-minute distance in her past two fights, and also has a stronger resume with victories over former UFC champions Rose Namajunas and Jessica Andrade.
Putting Barber’s name on her record would be another key result for Blanchfield, and if she gets it done, she said she feels comfortable asking for a title shot.
“I think with a really good performance – it’s winning, but it’s also how you win,” Blanchfield said. “I plan on winning in an impressive fashion.
“I would love to take that title off of (Shevchenko). She’s a legend of the sport and definitely in the flyweight division. That’s definitely my plan.”