UFC Fight Night 256 Odds, Prediction: Erin Blanchfield vs. Rose Namajunas

“Thug Rose” has atoned for her recent two-fight losing streak with victories in her past two flyweight clashes, capped by a decisive five-round unanimous decision win over Tracy Cortez this past July at UFC Denver that has helped boost her to No. 5 in the rankings. Blanchfield is coming off her first defeat in seven UFC fights since joining the promotion in 2021, dropping a unanimous decision to Manon Fiorot in their main event tilt last March at UFC Atlantic City, which also marked the first time she has ever seen a fight extend into championship rounds.

Blanchfield has emerged as a -140 favourite on the UFC Edmonton odds while Namajunas trails as +115 underdog and the odds of this fight going a full five rounds are pegged at a short -250.

Erin Blanchfield UFC Fight Night Odds

After quickly establishing herself as a legitimate contender for the UFC women’s flyweight crown while winning her first six fights in the octagon, a run that featured three impressive finishes, Erin Blanchfield was brought back to Earth with a decisive loss in her date with No. 2 contender Manon Fiorot eight months ago. The loss ended a sensational run of nine straight victories that featured four wins by submission and two victories inside five minutes, highlighted by a tap-out win over Molly McCann just 3:39 into their clash at UFC 281. While Blanchfield has demonstrated her ability to change levels and end opponents on the mat, she has also regularly gone the distance, with six of her 12 career wins coming by decision. However, she received a rude awakening in her first career fight to go beyond three rounds, with Fiorot steadily grinding her down as their recent matchup progressed.

Rose Namajunas UFC Fight Night Odds

Thug Rose has rebounded from a split decision loss to Carla Esparza that cost her the UFC women’s strawweight strap in a three-round unanimous decision loss to Manon Fiorot in her flyweight debut with impressive performances in her past two outings. Namajunas managed to overcome getting taken down twice by Amanda Ribas by dominating on the mat and making her significant strikes count and was rewarded with a unanimous nod from the judges at UFC Vegas 89, and followed up by recording five takedowns in her subsequent victory over Tracy Cortez. One of the scrappiest fighters in the UFC, Thug Rose has proven that she can absorb a lot of punishment and still assert her dominance on the mat. A submission specialist earlier in her career, Namajunas has evolved into a fighter that can win standing up, on the ground, or in a war of attrition.

UFC Fight Night 246 Prediction: Blanchfield vs. Namajunas

Blanchfield has been one of the most dominant fighters in the promotion since joining the UFC. However, Rose Namajunas represents arguably the toughest test of her career. Indeed, Thug Rose matches up well with her ability to change levels, establish control on the mat, or end things with one punch, but sets herself apart with her vast experience in championship rounds, with four of her past five fights going a full five rounds.

Prediction: Namajunas by decision/technical decision (+175)