Erin Blanchfield Bio
Erin Blanchfield (born May 4, 1999) is an American mixed martial artist competing in the women’s Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Nicknamed “Cold Blooded,” she trains out of the Renzo Gracie Academy and holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. A former Eddie Bravo Invitational champion, she is widely regarded as one of the top contenders in the 125-pound division and has earned a place in the UFC’s women’s pound-for-pound rankings.
Blanchfield turned professional in 2018 and quickly built a reputation as a grappling-first finisher, with most of her victories coming by submission. Born in New York City and raised in New Jersey, she balances her fighting career with a strong academic background and a long-standing connection to the regional martial arts community that shaped her style.
Early Life and Background
Erin Blanchfield was born on May 4, 1999, in New York City, New York. She grew up in nearby Elmwood Park, New Jersey, where her family settled during her childhood. Her parents are George Blanchfield and Betsy Blanchfield, and she has a brother, Brendan Blanchfield, who is also a mixed martial artist.
Blanchfield began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the age of seven, an early start that laid the foundation for her grappling-heavy fighting style. Two years later, at nine, she added kickboxing and grappling tournaments to her routine and began competing regularly. By the time she was twelve, she had decided that she wanted to become a professional mixed martial artist, a goal she pursued with the support of her family and coaches.
She later attended Montclair State University, where she studied Television and Digital Media with a concentration in sports media, with the original aim of becoming a commentator. Her training continued alongside her studies, and she remained rooted in the New Jersey martial arts scene throughout her developmental years.
Path to MMA
Blanchfield’s amateur and early professional foundation came through regional promotions, including Fighting Championships, where she posted an unbeaten 1–0 record. Her consistent results on the regional circuit, combined with her grappling credentials, drew the attention of Invicta Fighting Championships, one of the premier showcases for women’s mixed martial arts at the time.
She earned her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Karel Pravec, a significant milestone that signaled her technical maturity well before she reached the UFC. Her success in submission-only events, including an Eddie Bravo Invitational title, helped establish her as one of the most promising grappling-based prospects in the women’s flyweight division and set the stage for her signing with the world’s largest mixed martial arts promotion.
Erin Blanchfield Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Blanchfield made her professional debut with Invicta Fighting Championships on March 17, 2018, when she faced Brittney Cloudy at Invicta FC 30. She won the bout by split decision, signaling a measured start to her professional career. Her second Invicta appearance came on November 16, 2018, against Kay Hansen at Invicta FC 32, and she again came out on top via majority decision.
On February 15, 2019, she suffered her first professional loss, dropping a split decision to Tracy Cortez at Invicta FC 34. Refocusing after the setback, Blanchfield bounced back on June 4, 2019, defeating Gabriella Gulfin by first-round submission at Cage Fury Fighting Championships 76. The victory reaffirmed her finishing instincts and paved the way for her return to Invicta.
Invicta Fighting Championships Breakthrough (2018–2020)
Blanchfield returned to Invicta on February 7, 2020, and faced Victoria Leonardo at Invicta FC 39. In the second round, she dropped Leonardo with a head kick and finished the fight with punches, earning a technical knockout victory. The performance announced her as a finisher to watch in the flyweight division and helped her build momentum heading into the UFC.
Across her Invicta tenure, she compiled a record marked by sharp grappling, controlled striking, and an ability to compete in high-pressure decisions. Her time in the promotion gave her the experience and visibility needed to attract the UFC’s attention.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Era (2021–Present)
Blanchfield’s UFC debut was originally scheduled for April 10, 2021, against Norma Dumont at UFC on ABC: Vettori vs. Holland, but the bout was canceled after Dumont missed weight. She officially entered the Octagon on September 18, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Spann, defeating Sarah Alpar by unanimous decision. Two months later, on December 11, 2021, she replaced Montana De La Rosa against Miranda Maverick at UFC 269 and won by unanimous decision while setting the women’s flyweight single-fight takedown record with eight takedowns.
She continued her rise in 2022 with a second-round guillotine choke of JJ Aldrich at UFC Fight Night 207 and a first-round kimura submission of Molly McCann at UFC 281. Her first main event came on February 18, 2023, when she stepped up on short notice to face former strawweight champion Jéssica Andrade at UFC Fight Night 219, winning by second-round submission and earning a Performance of the Night award. On August 26, 2023, she defeated Taila Santos by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 225.
Blanchfield’s first UFC loss came on March 30, 2024, when she dropped a unanimous decision to Manon Fiorot at UFC on ESPN 54. She quickly rebounded on November 2, 2024, defeating former two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas by unanimous decision in the main event of UFC Fight Night 246. On November 15, 2025, she closed out a long-running rivalry with a second-round rear-naked choke of Tracy Cortez at UFC 322, avenging her 2019 loss and reestablishing her position in the title picture.
Style and Strengths
Blanchfield is a grappling-first fighter whose foundation in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu shapes every phase of her game. She excels at closing distance, securing takedowns, and hunting submissions, with a high finishing rate by choke and joint lock. Her strategic patience, combined with strong top control and an underrated striking game developed at the Renzo Gracie Academy, makes her a difficult matchup for opponents who struggle off their back.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Blanchfield’s signature moments are her eight-takedown record-setting win over Miranda Maverick, her Performance of the Night submission of Jéssica Andrade in her first UFC main event, and her revenge victory over Tracy Cortez at UFC 322. Her run has also included a high-profile decision win over Rose Namajunas, reinforcing her status as a top-five contender in the women’s flyweight division.
Erin Blanchfield Career Wins
Erin Blanchfield has compiled 14 professional victories across her career, with finishes accounting for the majority of her wins. Her finishing instinct has been a defining feature of her journey from regional shows to the UFC’s main stage.
UFC Highlights
Inside the Octagon, Blanchfield has strung together wins over Sarah Alpar, Miranda Maverick, JJ Aldrich, Molly McCann, Jéssica Andrade, Taila Santos, Rose Namajunas, and Tracy Cortez, among others. Her first UFC win came by unanimous decision over Alpar, while her most recent victory came by second-round rear-naked choke against Cortez at UFC 322. Several of her wins have come by submission, including kimura and guillotine finishes, and she has earned multiple Performance of the Night bonuses.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the UFC, Blanchfield earned a submission win over Gabriella Gulfin at Cage Fury Fighting Championships 76 and scored a second-round technical knockout of Victoria Leonardo at Invicta FC 39. She also captured an Eddie Bravo Invitational title, underscoring her credentials as one of the top submission grapplers in women’s mixed martial arts.
Erin Blanchfield Family
Family Background and Martial Arts Lineage
Blanchfield is the daughter of George Blanchfield and Betsy Blanchfield. She has a brother, Brendan Blanchfield, who also competes in mixed martial arts, giving the family a notable presence in the sport. Her early start in jiu-jitsu at age seven was supported by her family, and that environment helped shape her path toward a professional career.
Personal Life
Blanchfield resides in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, where she continues to train out of the Renzo Gracie Academy. She studied Television and Digital Media at Montclair State University with an interest in sports media, originally considering a career as a commentator before her fighting career took precedence. Outside of competition, she is known for her disciplined training routine and her close ties to her family and teammates.
2025 Season Performance
Erin Blanchfield’s 2025 campaign was defined by both setback and statement. Her scheduled main event against Maycee Barber at UFC on ESPN 68 on May 31, 2025, was canceled at the last minute after Barber was forced to withdraw due to a medical issue, denying Blanchfield the chance to extend her winning streak in front of a headlining audience.
She returned on November 15, 2025, at UFC 322, where she faced Tracy Cortez in a long-awaited rematch of their 2019 Invicta bout. Blanchfield controlled the fight and finished Cortez by rear-naked choke in the second round, avenging her only prior professional loss and reasserting herself as a top flyweight contender.
The win kept Blanchfield in the top five of the UFC women’s flyweight rankings and inside the women’s pound-for-pound top ten. With a clear path forward, she was announced to face Jasmine Jasudavicius on August 15, 2026, at UFC 330, a matchup that should play a central role in her pursuit of a future title shot.
