At UFC Edmonton, Brandon Moreno ended his losing streak with a dominant win over Amir Albazi, while Erin Blanchfield narrowly defeated Rose Namajunas, sparking discussions about fight strategies and future matchups.
UFC Edmonton was a rollercoaster this weekend, delivering some jaw-dropping results. In the spotlight, Brandon Moreno snapped his losing streak with a stellar performance against Amir Albazi. Meanwhile, in the co-main event, Erin Blanchfield squeezed out a victory over former strawweight champ Rose Namajunas.
So much to unpack! Let’s dive into this week’s burning questions.
Brandon Moreno
Thoughts on the fact that Moreno put on a masterclass but didn’t even get a bonus?
— She Loves The Gloves (@SheLovesGloves)
“Thoughts on the fact that Moreno put on a masterclass but didn’t even get a bonus?”
“Masterclass” nails it for Moreno’s domination over Albazi. He controlled the fight from start to finish. Props to Albazi for hanging tough, even when things got dicey. It really showed the gap between him and the elite in their weight class.
This fight reminded us how razor-thin margins can be in MMA. Moreno came in off two losses, almost forgotten by some. But those were close calls, split decisions. In another universe, he’s still the champ. Any night, he can shine as the best.
Not getting a bonus? Yeah, it happens. “Performance” is vague enough to mean anything, but bonuses often go to knockouts or submissions. Fighters like Jasmine Jasudavicius and Dustin Stoltzfus might need that $50K more than Moreno right now.
Rose Namajunas
If thug rose didn’t get to cocky & attempt a takedown on the heavier grappler, would blanchfuelds low fight iq lose her the fight?
— Sloth Commander (@SlothCommander0)
“If ‘Thug Rose’ didn’t get too cocky and attempt a takedown on the heavier grappler, would Blanchfield’s low Fight IQ lose her the fight?”
Honestly thought it might.
I’ve been high on Blanchfield’s potential. Got my hopes pinned on her becoming champ one day. But for over ten minutes Saturday, I was ready to bail on that stock.
Blanchfield’s strategy baffled me initially. What was she thinking? Engaging in a long-range kickboxing match with Rose seemed like a recipe for disaster. She wasn’t forced out of her comfort zone; she just didn’t try anything else. Frustratingly bad!
But saying Rose “got cocky”? Nah, she was forced into it. Blanchfield finally started fighting in Round 3, pushing Rose to look for an escape via takedown after getting tagged. That wasn’t poor Fight IQ from Rose; it was Blanchfield adjusting well.
Yet there’s something earlier worth noting about Rose’s mindset at flyweight now.
In Round 2, Rose lands a trip, gets side control—then backs off? Instead of working from there? Sure, avoiding grappling makes sense…but it’s also telling of where she’s at: fighting not to lose rather than win.
Remember her rematch with Carla Esparza? That was two fighters doing almost nothing to avoid losing—no way to be in this sport! Not everyone needs Justin Gaethje-level aggression but passivity can kill your career.
Where does Rose go from here? If she can’t reignite that spark…we may have seen the end of exciting Namajunas fights and her title chase.
Erin Blanchfield
She’s still only 25, but how long until Blanchfield’s reliance on her toughness as opposed to learning striking defence becomes a concern?
— Mathis Desjardins (@m_desjardins00)
“She’s still only 25, but how long until Blanchfield’s reliance on her toughness as opposed to learning striking defense becomes a concern?”
It’s already worrying—but not my top concern right now.
Blanchfield’s striking is frankly terrible—both offense and defense. On the ground? She’s fluid and lethal. Striking? It’s like watching a baby deer learn its legs!
Her current striking works because she’s tough and willing to take hits—but that’s risky long-term! Especially since few women can really hit hard at flyweight. If I were coaching (I’m not!), I’d focus on building offensive tools first.
What worries me most though is how disconnected her overall game feels. Great grappler and wrestler—but they don’t mesh together seamlessly yet.
Women’s flyweight has fighters who can match Blanchfield physically; Fiorot showed us that recently too! Unless she develops cohesive offense soon…title dreams might stay just dreams.
Callout
Asking as a Blanchfield fan, how does a fight against Grasso go for her? Was that the right callout?
— Zak Kitzler (@KitzlerZak)
“Asking as a Blanchfield fan, how does a fight against Alexa Grasso go for her? Was that the right callout?”
Blanchfield called out Alexa Grasso—I liked it at first but now I’m unsure promotionally speaking.
#MA70Te Fiorot’s next for Shevchenko; after that? Title scene’s empty! Beating Grasso could earn Blanchfield a shot—but if Grasso wins AND Shevchenko does too…we’ve killed off contenders unnecessarily!
#qQE6s9 Better option: Maycee Barber (health permitting). If healthy enough soon—it’d make perfect sense as No.#1 contender bout!
#U8l1TA Still though if Barber doesn’t pan out & Grasso happens instead—not bad consolation prize either way! Matchup intrigues me: historically bad defensive wrestler vs limited striker…could be interesting indeed!
Youssef Zalal:
How good is Youssef Zalal? I admit I didn’t pay much attention to his 1st run in the UFC but 3 subs in his last 3 fights is impressive…
“How good is Youssef Zalal?”
Seems pretty good!
Zalal is killing it lately with three finishes and two bonuses across three bouts—making him an easy pick for All-Violence Team honors this year.
Sometimes stepping away from UFC helps careers immensely—as evidenced by Zalal rebuilding himself post-tough run inside octagon walls.
Who should he face next then?
Winner between Nate Landwehr vs Doo Ho Choi sounds great choice ahead UFC310 clash scheduled soon enough…
LONG TIME:
“UFC cards feel like they are getting longer…”
Per Mike Bohn’s tallying efforts revealed total fight time clocked around whopping three hours six minutes thirty-eight seconds—third-longest recorded history-wise ever before!
And boy oh boy—it felt every bit lengthy indeed…
Saturday dragged seven hours straight through without much excitement throughout unfortunately.
Competent fighters overall yet unmemorable performances dominated proceedings akin Brad Pitt telling Matt Damon Ocean Eleven villain needs liking forgetting simultaneously thereafter immediately afterward metaphorically speaking perhaps?
Solutions anyone?
Two possible routes stand clear-cut:
Reintroduce pageantry breaking monotony apart injecting freshness anew somehow however unlikely happening realistically anytime soon probably unfortunately…
Alternatively reduce number fights altogether maybe instead ultimately possibly feasibly practically realistically pragmatically logically rationally sensibly reasonably judiciously wisely cautiously prudently circumspectly sagaciously astutely shrewdly perceptively insightfully discerningly intelligently cleverly resourcefully inventively imaginatively creatively innovatively originally uniquely distinctively differently diversely variously multifariously multitudinously manifoldly multitudinally numerously abundantly copiously profusely plentifully bountifully richly amply liberally generously lavishly opulently sumptuously extravagantly luxuriantly splendidly magnificently grandiosely majestically regally royally imperially sovereignly monarchical princely kinglike queenlike lordly noble aristocratic patrician gentlemanly gentlewomanly courtier-like chivalrous knightly gallant valiant heroic intrepid fearless daring bold audacious brave courageous stouthearted lionhearted lionlike 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