Rose Namajunas vs. Erin Blanchfield – Fight Breakdown and Title Implications

[Dreyga_King of Sherbums]

Alright, Sherbums, let’s talk about Rose Namajunas vs. Erin Blanchfield coming up this weekend, a fight that’s got some serious title implications. Both fighters have a lot riding on this one, and the winner here is likely in line to face Manon Fiorot for the belt. But how do these two stack up?

Striking and Reach: Rose clearly holds the edge in striking. With her fluid movement, she’s dangerous on the feet, standing 5’5” with a 65” reach. Erin, a bit shorter at 5’4” with a 66” reach, doesn’t have the same polish in her striking, but she’s going to need to find a way to close that distance. And with Rose’s technical edge, that’s easier said than done.

Grappling and Takedown Threat: Blanchfield is known for her grappling, and she’s likely going to test Rose here. Rose has solid takedown defense and experience against some of the best, but Erin’s relentless style could still make it a challenging fight on the ground.

Experience vs. Cardio: Rose comes in with the experience edge. She’s been in title fights, faced off against elite competition, and knows how to handle high-pressure situations. On the other hand, Blanchfield has the cardio advantage, and her stamina could play a huge role, especially if she can drag Rose into the later rounds.

Footwork and Takedown Defense: If Rose’s footwork is on point, Blanchfield could struggle to close the distance. Her movement and reach advantage might frustrate Blanchfield’s grappling attempts, especially after Erin’s issues closing the distance against Fiorot.

What’s at Stake: With Fiorot in line for a title shot, the winner here might be next. Both know what’s on the line, adding a whole layer of intensity to the fight.

So, Sherbums, what’s your take? Will Rose’s experience and striking win out, or does Erin grind her down with relentless grappling and cardio?

 

[Michael Wetzel]

It will all depend on Rose's state of mind. If the Rose we saw in the Zhang fights shows up she can easily win. If the Rose from the Esparza fights shows up she will get beat.

 

[Darragh]

It's really hard for me to care about this fight.

 

[oski]

LOL, sorry, but thread never took off for a reason.

 

[Koro_11]

 

[NicholasJBasile]

I just don't know that there's evidence to suggest that Blanchfield can't just take down and control/submit Rose. She hasn't faced anyone on Blanchfield's level when it comes to wrestling/grappling and that is one of her weaknesses. I like Blanchfield by submission.

With that said, it's also a stupid prediction seeing as how Rose hasn't proven to be easy to submit in her MMA career. So hohnestly, take my predic

View attachment 1069128


Alright, Sherbums, let’s talk about Rose Namajunas vs. Erin Blanchfield coming up this weekend, a fight that’s got some serious title implications. Both fighters have a lot riding on this one, and the winner here is likely in line to face Manon Fiorot for the belt. But how do these two stack up?

Striking and Reach: Rose clearly holds the edge in striking. With her fluid movement, she’s dangerous on the feet, standing 5’5” with a 65” reach. Erin, a bit shorter at 5’4” with a 66” reach, doesn’t have the same polish in her striking, but she’s going to need to find a way to close that distance. And with Rose’s technical edge, that’s easier said than done.

Grappling and Takedown Threat: Blanchfield is known for her grappling, and she’s likely going to test Rose here. Rose has solid takedown defense and experience against some of the best, but Erin’s relentless style could still make it a challenging fight on the ground.

Experience vs. Cardio: Rose comes in with the experience edge. She’s been in title fights, faced off against elite competition, and knows how to handle high-pressure situations. On the other hand, Blanchfield has the cardio advantage, and her stamina could play a huge role, especially if she can drag Rose into the later rounds.

Footwork and Takedown Defense: If Rose’s footwork is on point, Blanchfield could struggle to close the distance. Her movement and reach advantage might frustrate Blanchfield’s grappling attempts, especially after Erin’s issues closing the distance against Fiorot.

What’s at Stake: With Fiorot in line for a title shot, the winner here might be next. Both know what’s on the line, adding a whole layer of intensity to the fight.

So, Sherbums, what’s your take? Will Rose’s experience and striking win out, or does Erin grind her down with relentless grappling and cardio?

Part of me feels that Rose will use her footwork to evade takedowns and win a dominant decision and another part of me feels that Blanchfield will take her down and submit her with ease. I really don't know how to gauge this fight since Rose hasn't fought a wrestler/grappler on Blanchfield's level yet. I favor Blanchfield but I'm not confident about it.

 

[PaddyO'malley]

Good thread Dreyga I agree u got my vote

#VoteFiDreyga2024

 

[Goatenstein]

It will all depend on Rose's state of mind. If the Rose we saw in the Zhang fights shows up she can easily win. If the Rose from the Esparza fights shows up she will get beat.

Sounds like a pre-fight excuse.

 

[blaseblase]

Classic wrestler v striker, will all depend if Blanchfield can reliably take her down. Esparza wasn't able to but she's a lot smaller.

 

[Dreyga_King of Sherbums]

View attachment 1069264

LOL, sorry, but thread never took off for a reason.

I can’t lie. I’m actually impressed by the amount of effort this must’ve taken.

 

[Bork Neslar]

Ban WMMA.

 

[markys00]

Rose should be rhe favorite here

 

[Safton]

Blanchfield looked awful against Fiorot. Namajunas doesn't have the physicality of Fiorot and has looked somewhat vulnerable to grapplers here and there, but overall she actually has a deeper well of experience when it comes to her own grappling toolkit. She convincingly sprawl-n-brawled Ribas and Cortez in recent fights, who are both solid grapplers in their own right. Not only did she keep from being held down and punished for any real length of time, she managed to outwrestle both women and get some work done on the mats.

I don't expect Rose to outgrapple Blanchfield, but I do think she can potentially survive bad spots on the ground and keep it standing long enough to pick her apart with the jab.

 

[fortheo]

I got Blanchfield. I think she'll break rose with conditioning, lots of wrassling and clinches. Who knows though. I tend to underestimate rose.

Hopefully Blanchfield shows some development.

 

[Xuh]

Erin's TD score in her last 5 fights: 0, 0, 1, 1, 0


Meanwhile 'Just Coast' Rose is coming off a 5 round sparring session in which she beat the best wrestler in the division (?), Cortez...

 

[Dreyga_King of Sherbums]

Erin's TD score in her last 5 fights: 0, 0, 1, 1, 0


Meanwhile 'Just Coast' Rose is coming off a 5 round sparring session in which she beat the best wrestler in the division (?), Cortez...

Yeah… so Erin is screwed this weekend

 

[Lee Danger]

i'm not objective, for me Rose is one of the best fighters and i see her always as the favorite.

 

[BangBang]

I like Blanchfield and like to see new blood but to date Blanchfirld has shown she cannot strike for shit. Until that is rectified?don't hold your breath) she is lolely to disappoint when truly tested (like she will be against Rose.

Will be rooting for Cold blooded regardless

 

[Dreyga_King of Sherbums]

I like Blanchfield and like to see new blood but to date Blanchfirld has shown she cannot strike for shit.

Didn’t she piece up Jessica Andrade on the feet. I remember her fucking up Andrade

 

[Safton]

Didn’t she piece up Jessica Andrade on the feet. I remember her fucking up Andrade

Sort of, yeah. It's been a long time, but as I recall she sort of did to Andrade what Pena did to Nunes in their first fight. Just showed a lot of grit, heart, toughness, and tenacity to walk forward through punishment and put a pace on Jessica until Andrade wilted under the pressure of her strikes and takedown attempts.

Worth noting that immediately afterward was Andrade's weird little slump where she looked mentally & physically checked out in all her fights and kept getting finished until rebuilding against Dern. Hard to hold that against Blanchfield considering Jessica looked fantastic against Lauren Murphy directly before fighting Erin and was on a winning streak.