Jessica Andrade vs Erin Blanchfield Prediction: The former champion will prove her level

In the early morning of February 19, two of the UFC's top women's flyweight divisions, Jessica Andrade and Erin Blanchfield, will fight in Las Vegas. The bout will headline the next tournament of the strongest mixed martial arts league.

Former UFC champion Jessica Andrade is ranked number three in the official rankings of her weight class, with Erin Blanchfield sitting in tenth. The Brazilian is a slight favorite in the bookmakers' betting odds.

Andrade is top fighter. Things are much simpler in women's MMA than in men's - whoever has better skills tends to win. And Jessica's skills are not disputed by anyone. In the last five years, she has only lost to champions, and then when they were at the top of their form - Zhang Weili, Rose Namajunas, Valentina Shevchenko.

Now she is on a streak of three straight wins, and in her previous bout, she beat Lauren Murphy.

Andrade beat her opponent brutally and mercilessly in all three rounds, but some incredible will (perhaps God's will) allowed Murphy to survive to the final bell.

After Saturday's win, Jessica plans to fight Zhang Weili again.

I plan to stay at a minimum weight. My goals for the future are tied to this division. If I go on a four-win streak, I will be closer in the fight against Zhang Weili. The first fight with Weili took place in China, and I visited her. We can fight in the US, but it wouldn't be unusual for her. I would like to bring that fight to Brazil. I want her to get out of her comfort zone. Four wins in a row, and I'll be a clear contender for the belt fight.

Jessica Andrade

Blanchfield is looked upon as just another prospect, but she will have difficulty fighting the former champion. But to be fair, Erin has handled every opponent confidently and won the previous two fights early.

Erin Blanchfield is certainly good on the ground, but she has yet to tackle an opponent of this level, while only Valentina Shevchenko could move Jessica Andrade to the ground. But where is Shevchenko, and where is Blanchfield? The young prospect's plan for the fight will be simple - to try a takedown and come up with something on the ground.

But the plan will change as soon as Erin misses some heavy punches from arguably the most powerful puncher in the division. Therefore, the bookmakers see Andrade as the favorite and believe the fight will not last long.