Flyweights Erin Blanchfield and Taila Santos are set to clash in a significant matchup at 125 pounds at the upcoming UFC Singapore event.
Flyweights Erin Blanchfield and Taila Santos are set to face off in a crucial matchup at 125 pounds during the upcoming UFC Singapore event on August 26. Although no bout agreements have been issued or signed yet and the UFC has not made any official announcement, multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans have confirmed the news. Freak MMA initially reported the fight on Instagram.
Before her resounding victory over Jessica Andrade in February, Blanchfield was initially scheduled to fight Santos. However, Santos had to withdraw from the card after her coaches were denied entry into the United States due to visa issues. Blanchfield eventually defeated Andrade and turned her focus towards a potential move to bantamweight, hoping to face Julianna Pena after Amanda Nunes relinquished her 135-pound title upon her retirement.
It seems the UFC has different plans for Blanchfield, as the 24-year-old fighter is now set to face Santos instead of moving up to a new division for a chance at a title. As for Santos, she will be fighting for the first time since her split decision loss to former UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko in 2022. Santos was close to dethroning Shevchenko but fell just short in her attempt to pull off the upset.
If the fight is finalized, Blanchfield and Santos will meet as part of the UFC’s return to Singapore, with former featherweight champion Max Holloway facing “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung in the main event.