Erin Blanchfield Bio
Erin Blanchfield, born on May 4, 1999, is an American mixed martial artist who currently competes in the women’s Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Known by the nickname “Cold Blooded,” she is widely regarded as one of the top contenders in her weight class and holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. As of May 2025, she is ranked number four in the UFC women’s flyweight rankings and number seven in the UFC women’s pound-for-pound rankings.
A former Eddie Bravo Invitational champion, Blanchfield has built a reputation for her elite grappling skills, finishing power, and well-rounded approach to the sport. Training out of the Renzo Gracie Academy, she continues to represent a new generation of American mixed martial artists who blend high-level jiu-jitsu with strong wrestling and striking fundamentals.
Early Life and Background
Erin Blanchfield was born in New York City, New York, and grew up in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, where she was raised by her parents, George and Betsy Blanchfield. She has one brother, Brendan Blanchfield, who is also a mixed martial artist, giving the family a strong athletic foundation. Growing up in a supportive household, Erin found her passion for combat sports at a young age and committed herself to training with discipline and focus.
Blanchfield began training in jiu-jitsu at the age of seven, quickly developing a love for the art and the challenge it presented. Just two years later, at nine years old, she started competing in kickboxing and grappling tournaments, gaining valuable early experience inside competitive environments. By the age of twelve, she had already decided that she wanted to pursue a professional career in fighting, setting the stage for her future in mixed martial arts.
Path to MMA
As a teenager, Blanchfield continued to sharpen her skills across multiple combat disciplines, building the foundation that would later define her professional career. She eventually enrolled at Montclair State University, where she studied Television and Digital Media with a concentration in sports media. Her original goal was to become a commentator, but her path shifted as her talent inside the cage grew too strong to ignore.
Blanchfield made her professional mixed martial arts debut in 2018, fighting under regional Fighting Championships promotions and earning a record of 1–0. Her early performances were enough to earn a contract with Invicta Fighting Championships, one of the most respected organizations for women’s MMA at the time. She has been competing professionally ever since and currently trains out of the Renzo Gracie Academy.
Erin Blanchfield Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Erin Blanchfield began her professional career in 2018, debuting in regional Fighting Championships events and quickly earning the attention of major promotions. She made her Invicta Fighting Championships debut on March 17, 2018, against Brittney Cloudy at Invicta FC 30, winning the bout by split decision. Later that year, she faced Kay Hansen at Invicta FC 32 and earned a majority decision victory, establishing herself as a rising prospect.
In February 2019, Blanchfield faced Tracy Cortez at Invicta FC 34, a bout she would lose by split decision, marking one of her earliest setbacks. She quickly rebounded by facing Gabriella Gulfin at Cage Fury Fighting Championships 76 in June 2019, winning the fight via first-round submission. The mix of decisions and finishes in her early fights helped shape her into a more complete fighter heading into the next phase of her career.
Invicta and Pre-UFC Breakthrough (2019–2020)
Blanchfield returned to Invicta Fighting Championships in February 2020, facing Victoria Leonardo at Invicta FC 39. In the second round, Blanchfield landed a head kick that dropped Leonardo, and she finished the fight with punches to claim a technical knockout victory. That performance demonstrated her growing striking arsenal and ability to finish fights under bright lights.
Across her time in Invicta, Blanchfield compiled a competitive record and earned a reputation for her relentless pace, strong wrestling, and submission skills. Her work in the promotion caught the eye of UFC matchmakers, and she was eventually offered a contract to compete on the sport’s biggest stage. The pre-UFC phase of her career was crucial in building the experience and confidence that would carry her into the global spotlight.
UFC Debut and Rise (2021–2022)
Blanchfield’s path to the UFC began with a short-notice opportunity that fell through when her original opponent missed weight, but she was quickly rebooked. She made her official UFC debut on September 18, 2021, against Sarah Alpar at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Spann, winning the fight by unanimous decision. A few months later, she faced Miranda Maverick at UFC 269 and set the women’s flyweight single-fight takedown record with eight takedowns, earning another unanimous decision win.
In 2022, Blanchfield strung together a series of impressive finishes that announced her arrival as a top contender. She submitted JJ Aldrich via guillotine choke in the second round at UFC Fight Night 207, then added a first-round kimura submission of Molly McCann at UFC 281. These performances earned her widespread recognition and set the stage for her first UFC main event.
UFC Main Event and Top Contender Status (2023–2024)
On February 18, 2023, Blanchfield headlined UFC Fight Night 219 against former UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Jéssica Andrade, after original opponent Taila Santos withdrew. Blanchfield won the fight via second-round submission and earned the Performance of the Night award, one of the most significant wins of her career. She later faced the rebooked Taila Santos on August 26, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 225, winning the bout by unanimous decision.
In March 2024, Blanchfield faced Manon Fiorot at UFC on ESPN 54 and lost by unanimous decision, a setback that briefly interrupted her momentum. She responded by facing former two-time UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas on November 2, 2024, in the main event at UFC Fight Night 246, winning the fight by unanimous decision in a five-round bout. That victory reaffirmed her place among the elite of the women’s flyweight division.
Current Team Era (2025–Present)
Blanchfield was scheduled to face Maycee Barber in the main event of UFC on ESPN 68 on May 31, 2025, but Barber was forced to withdraw due to a medical issue involving a seizure just minutes before the walkouts. The bout was cancelled, leaving Blanchfield without a fight that night. She returned to action on November 15, 2025, at UFC 322, facing Tracy Cortez in a rematch of their 2019 bout, and she won the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the second round.
Training out of the Renzo Gracie Academy, Blanchfield continues to refine her grappling and overall game under one of the most respected coaching staffs in the sport. Her current trajectory points toward another title shot as she remains ranked among the top contenders in the women’s flyweight division.
Driving Style and Strengths
Blanchfield’s fighting style is built around elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, strong wrestling, and increasingly sharp striking. She excels at controlling opponents on the ground, finishing fights via submission, and racking up takedowns, as demonstrated by her women’s flyweight single-fight takedown record. Her calm, calculated approach inside the cage has earned her the nickname “Cold Blooded” and made her one of the most dangerous grapplers in the division.
Notable Events and Milestones
Blanchfield’s career is highlighted by a string of finishes, including her submission victories over Jéssica Andrade, Molly McCann, and JJ Aldrich, as well as her Performance of the Night award in 2023. She has set records for takedowns in a women’s flyweight bout and has headlined multiple UFC events, including her win over Rose Namajunas. Her recent rematch victory over Tracy Cortez in November 2025 further cemented her status as a top contender.
Erin Blanchfield Career Wins
Erin Blanchfield has built an impressive professional record, with 14 wins across 16 total professional mixed martial arts bouts. Of those victories, two have come by knockout, five by submission, and two by decision. Her finishing rate and consistency have made her one of the most well-rounded competitors in the women’s flyweight division.
UFC Highlights
Since joining the UFC in 2021, Blanchfield has racked up multiple high-profile wins, including victories over Sarah Alpar, Miranda Maverick, JJ Aldrich, Molly McCann, Jéssica Andrade, Taila Santos, Rose Namajunas, and Tracy Cortez. Her most recent victory came via rear-naked choke submission at UFC 322 in November 2025, showcasing her elite grappling pedigree. She has earned a Performance of the Night award and continues to chase a shot at the UFC women’s flyweight title.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the UFC, Blanchfield compiled notable wins under the Invicta Fighting Championships banner, including victories over Brittney Cloudy, Kay Hansen, and Victoria Leonardo, as well as a submission win at Cage Fury Fighting Championships 76. These early performances helped launch her career and proved she could finish opponents and win decisions against tough competition. She is also a former Eddie Bravo Invitational champion, adding to her grappling credentials.
Erin Blanchfield Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Erin Blanchfield is the daughter of George and Betsy Blanchfield, and she has one brother, Brendan Blanchfield, who is also a mixed martial artist. Growing up in a family with athletic ties, Erin found early encouragement to pursue combat sports, which helped shape her career path. Her brother Brendan’s involvement in the sport created a competitive and supportive dynamic within the household.
Personal Life
Blanchfield attended Montclair State University, where she studied Television and Digital Media with a concentration in sports media, originally hoping to become a commentator. She has lived in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, and currently trains out of the Renzo Gracie Academy. Known by the nickname “Cold Blooded,” she remains focused on her professional career and her pursuit of UFC gold.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a tale of near-misses and triumphant returns for Erin Blanchfield. She was initially scheduled to headline UFC on ESPN 68 against Maycee Barber on May 31, 2025, but the bout was cancelled just minutes before the walkouts due to a medical issue involving a seizure suffered by Barber. Despite the disappointment, Blanchfield stayed ready and remained ranked in the top five of the women’s flyweight division throughout the year.
Blanchfield returned to the cage in dominant fashion on November 15, 2025, at UFC 322, facing Tracy Cortez in a rematch of their 2019 Invicta bout. She finished the fight with a second-round rear-naked choke submission, earning a key win and reinforcing her place among the division’s elite. The victory gave her momentum heading into the back half of the year and kept her firmly in the title conversation.
Looking ahead, Blanchfield’s partnership with the Renzo Gracie Academy continues to play a central role in her development as a fighter. With her grappling, wrestling, and striking all trending upward, she remains one of the most dangerous challengers in the women’s flyweight division. A title shot appears to be the next logical step in her career trajectory.