Kyle Anthony

THE PLAY: Erin Blanchfield wins by decision (-145)

This is a classic wrestler -vs- wrestler matchup, but Erin Blanchfield holds several clear advantages that should tilt the fight in her favor on Saturday night. Blanchfield is an aggressive pressure wrestler who is comfortable marching forward and dictating a high pace. She looks to crash the pocket with strikes before chaining into takedown attempts. Once she gets the fight to the mat she lands heavy ground-and-pound or immediately looks for submissions. Jasmine Jasudavicius is also a wrestler and she is notably big for the division. She typically uses that size to bully opponents and control the clinch and grappling exchanges. When two fighters share the same primary path to victory those styles can neutralize one another. In some cases both wrestlers stay on the feet for long stretches and the fight becomes a striking contest. If this one plays out primarily on the feet Blanchfield should find consistent success. She throws meaningful volume and will not let Jasudavicius set the terms in the pocket. Neither fighter has shown elite striking technique, yet Blanchfield has the clearer process. Jasudavicius is the slower fighter and she relies on a more methodical plotting style. Her hand speed is noticeably lower than Blanchfield’s as well. That difference in output and pace should look favorable to the judges. She will be the one pushing the action and banking rounds through consistent activity. Should the fight hit the ground the edge still leans toward Blanchfield. She has shown the ability to secure dominant positions and control rounds once she lands a takedown. No doubt she is also comfortable in scrambles and regularly finds ways to improve her position during wrestling exchanges. Jasudavicius is durable and she has only been finished once in her professional career, that stoppage came against Manon Fiorot via knockout. Blanchfield does not possess one-punch power so a knockout is unlikely. Jasudavicius should be able to survive on the ground but she is still likely to lose rounds through control and activity. Now at 37 years old Jasudavicius is also approaching the point where physical decline can become noticeable. She has outperformed her skill level during this recent run and believe a further decline is coming. Most importantly, Blanchfield can take away Jasudavicius’s preferred wrestling path and force a high-pace fight that favors her own style. Over three rounds that combination of volume on the feet and positional control on the ground should be enough to secure the win. Give me Erin Blanchfield by decision.