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Erin Blanchfield calls for clash with Julianna Pena for vacant UFC bantamweight title

Erin Blanchfield could very well be in prime position to challenge for the flyweight title in her next outing, but right now, ‘Cold Blooded’ is eyeing a potential clash with former bantamweight champion Julianna Pena for the recently-vacated 135-pound crown. Undefeated in the UFC with five-straight wins, Erin Blanchfield is sitting pretty in the flyweight […]

Undefeated in the UFC with five-straight wins, Erin Blanchfield is sitting pretty in the flyweight division as the No. 4 ranked contender. Many believe she is the next woman in line for a title opportunity at 125 once current champion Alexa Grasso settles some business with Valentina Shevchenko later this year. However, Blanchfield may not want to wait that long for her first crack at UFC gold.

In an interview with MMA Fighting, Erin Blanchfield suggested that moving up to bantamweight for a title opportunity opposite the division’s top contender, Julianna Pena sounds very interesting now that Amanda Nunes is out of the picture following her retirement at UFC 289.

“I think that is something that’s super interesting,” Blanchfield said. “Julianna Peña is, I believe, the No. 1 contender right now, she’s the former champ. I think someone coming up from the flyweight division to fight her, I think would be super interesting.

“I think a lot of people are curious when I’m going to be fighting next. I don’t have anything lined up right now. I know she wants to fight and get her title back, but I feel like I’m one of the most interesting fights right now for that division and for that title. I think it would get a lot of eyes on it, and that’s something I’d definitely be interested in.”

Erin Blanchfield believes she could be a much-needed fresh face in a division filled with former champions and women who have already failed to capitalize on previous title opportunities.

“I feel like in the bantamweight division, those top five names, top 10 maybe are kind of like recycled names or people that have been around for a while,” Blanchfield said. “They’re very good girls, but they’ve been the same. Bantamweight hasn’t had as many prospects come up as the flyweight division has, and I think throwing my name in there and having me fight for a 135-pound title is definitely going to get a lot of eyes on it.

“People will be interested to see that fight, and it could be on a pay-per-view card, main or co-main. It will definitely get a lot more eyes on it than a lot of the girls that have already been seen.”

Erin Blanchfield is Not Overly Considering About the Challenge that Julianna Pena Presents

Reigning as the bantamweight world champion, Amanda Nunes put away multiple top contenders in the division, including Julianna Pena, Holly Holm, and, most recently, Irene Aldana. With so many top names vanquished by ‘The Lioness’ in recent years, the doorway is wide open for another big prospect to step through and stake their claim as the head of the division now that its queen is gone.

Erin Blanchfield has seemingly found herself in the right place at the right time. With Nunes now out of the picture, the 11-1 fighter would love to capitalize on the moment, but to do so, she knows she will need to go through a very tough 135-pound scrapper in Julianna Pena.

“I haven’t really studied her a ton yet, but I feel like her best attribute is, honestly, she’s a very tough girl,” Blanchfield said of Peña. “She goes to fight. I know her first fight against Amanda, she beat her, but the second fight, she fought super hard even though she was kind of getting outclassed everywhere. She’s decent. She’s well-rounded.

“It is kind of a backhanded compliment — you don’t necessarily want to be known as being one of the toughest people. It’s definitely something nice to have in your back pocket if you need it, but you don’t want to have to rely on it or be known for it.”

Erin Blanchfield is not terribly concerned about what Julianna Pena brings to the table in a potential showdown between the two. ‘Cold Blooded’ is admittedly much more focused on cashing in on the massive opportunity and etching her name in the history books.

“I don’t think there’s anything crazy about her style,” Blanchfield continued. “I know Valentina fought her, and she arm barred her a while ago. She’s a tough fighter, but I don’t think there’s anything I would be too nervous about. I feel like I could go and finish that fight.” Blanchfield continued.

“If I have the Julianna fight, beat her, I’d be the youngest female UFC champ, I believe. Then go back down to flyweight, win that belt. I’d definitely be the youngest double champ. There’s a lot of upsides to it, and it’s definitely something I would be interested in.”

Julianna Peña eyes Madison Square Garden return in vacant UFC title fight amid links to Erin Blanchfield clash

Former UFC bantamweight champion, Julianna Pena outlines a time frame for her comeback following a rib injury. It seems that we have seen the last of Amana Nunes’ inside the Octagon following her retirement earlier this month at UFC 289. This also means that her 135lb title is set to be vacant will be up […]

Former UFC bantamweight champion, Julianna Pena outlines a time frame for her comeback following a rib injury.

It seems that we have seen the last of Amana Nunes’ inside the Octagon following her retirement earlier this month at UFC 289. This also means that her 135lb title is set to be vacant will be up for grabs.

Pena, who ended Nunes’ 12-fight unbeaten streak before being comfortably beaten in a rematch, has put herself in prime position. ‘The Venezuelan Vixon’ was originally set to be Nunes’ opponent a couple weeks ago, but had to withdraw due to injury, but was cage side for the event to hopefully drum up some attention for their trilogy fight.

Instead, Pena was hit with Nunes’ retirement and during ‘The Lioness’ speech, would heckle and boo. The clip of her doing so has since made the rounds within the MMA community.

Julianna Pena outlines return

Talking on The MMA Hour, Pena detailed the timeframe of her recovering from the rib injury, aiming to return for late 2023 where she will be one half

“Today is six weeks (since the injury). In order for it to heal, like, for me to grapple or do jiu-jitsu, they say eight weeks,” Peña said. “Look at it this way, if it’s six weeks and I start going and training right now and I pop it out again, that’s gonna be another six weeks’ time to let it heal. The important thing with rib injuries is you have to give it that time to heal. If you don’t, then it’s just always going to be a recurring injury that happens every time.” (H/T MMANews)

“Absolutely, (targeting a return tail end of 2023),” Pena continued. “Madison Square Garden, T-Mobile Arena; something in November, December, I’m sure.”

Julianna Pena on The MMA Hour

Who should Julianna Pena face for the vacant title?

Julianna Peña left irate after Amanda Nunes denies her trilogy rubber match after UFC 289: ‘She’s dead to me’

Former undisputed bantamweight champion, Julianna Peña has claimed ex-two-weight champion, Amanda Nunes is “dead” to her following the Brazilian’s retirement from active competition at UFC 289 over the weekend – denying the former a championship trilogy rubber match. Peña, a former undisputed bantamweight champion and current #1 ranked bantamweight contender, managed to land a shocking […]

Peña, a former undisputed bantamweight champion and current #1 ranked bantamweight contender, managed to land a shocking victory against Bahia native, Nunes back in December 2021, submitting the former two-division champion with a huge upset win, landing a second round rear-naked choke win.

Back in July of last year atop a UFC 277 pay-per-view event, Julianna Peña would suffer a hugely one-sided unanimous decision loss in the pair’s immediate title rematch – having served as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 30.

And initially scheduled to headline UFC 289 against Nunes over the weekend in Canada, Peña was forced from the title trilogy bout after suffering fractured ribs, resulting in an impromtu pairing of Nunes and Irene Aldana.

Successfully defending her bantamweight crown in a one-sided judging win against Aldana, Nunes would announce her immediate retirement from mixed martial arts competition, leaving the attending Peña high and dry regarding a potential trilogy rubber match in the future.

Julianna Peña also branded herself as the greatest female fighter of all time

Declaring herself as the greatest female fighter of all time following Nunes’ retirement, Washington native, Peña revealed the Brazilian is now “dead” to her in the wake of her exit from the sport.

“At the end of the day, she’s (Amanda Nunes) retired, she’s off in the sunset, she’s dead to me at this point, and we’ve just got to keep the division moving,” Julianna Peña told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “Now, we’re stepping into day one of the ‘Peña Power’ era. I’m the champ, I’ve always been the champ in my heart and in my head. … So it’s just a matter of time before the belt’s around my waist again.”

Offered a route back to the title in the immediate aftermath of UFC 289, Peña has been offered a fight by former title challenger, Raquel Pennington, while surging flyweight contender, Erin Blanchfield is reportedly set to weigh-up a division move in a vacant title fight with Peña.

Julianna Peña Calls Amanda Nunes ‘a Coward’ for UFC Retirement: She’s ‘Dead to Me’

While most of the response to Amanda Nunes’ decision to retire has been positive, there is one person who was upset about it. Speaking to TMZ Sports, Julianna…

Ex-UFC champion Julianna Peña brands herself the ‘Greatest female fighter of all time’

Former undisputed bantamweight champion, Julianna Peña is steadfast in her opinion, that she is the best female mixed martial artist to ever compete – in the wake of the sudden retirement of arch-rival and former foe, Amanda Nunes over the weekend at UFC 289. Peña, the current #1 ranked bantamweight contender and former undisputed division […]

Peña, the current #1 ranked bantamweight contender and former undisputed division champion, has yet to return to the Octagon since July of last year, headlining UFC 277 against the above-mentioned, Nunes, dropping her undisputed bantamweight title in a hugely one-sided unanimous decision loss.

First facing Bahia native, Nunes in the co-main event of UFC 269 in December 2021, Peña turned in a shocking stoppage win over the two-weight champion, submitting the Brazilian with a highlight-reel second round rear-naked choke.

And initially scheduled to headline UFC 289 last weekend in a title trilogy rubber match with Nunes, Peña was forced from the bantamweight title fight after suffering a fractured rib, with Mexican challenger, Irene Aldana replacing her as a result.

Responding to Nunes’ victory over Aldana and subsequent immediate retirement from mixed martial arts, Peña, who has now been denied a decider with the former two-weight champion, claimed she forced Nunes into a retirement due to her ability.

Expected to be involved in a vacant title fight at the bantamweight limit, Peña has been called out by former title challenger, Raquel Pennington, while flyweight contender, Erin Blanchfield, has reportedly offered to make a division climb in pursuit of a title fight with Peña.

Julianna Peña touts her own ability following UFC 289

Despite the retirement of Nunes – whom many have considered to be the greatest female mixed martial artist of all time, according to Peña, she herself, is actually the best female fighter to ever compete in combat sports.

“The greatest female fighter of all time, according to me, is me,” Julianna Peña told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “You wanna know why? Because, I’m not a fighter, I’m a warrior. I’m a warrior that lives inside and that’s the difference.”

“Amanda’s (Nunes) a fighter, and I’m a warrior,” Julianna Peña explained. “I’m the greatest warrior and I’m the greatest fighter of all time. And I believe that with my heart, because I never stop coming. You’re gonna have to put me to sleep, or knock me the f*ck out, to get me to stop coming after you.”