UFC Fight Night: Erin Blanchfield vs. Manon Fiorot Results

PRELIMINAARY CARD (ESPN+)

Angel Pacheco vs. Caolan Loughran

Round 1:
The round begins with a feeling-out process over the first few minutes until Loughran lands a big overhand. However, Pacheco still has his wits about him and is striking back—the round ends with a striking advantage to Pacheco but a damage advantage to Loughran.

10-9 Loughran in the first.

Round 2:
Loughran scores an early takedown and takes the back; he sinches the choke but abandons it for some brutal ground and pound. Pacheco grinds out the get-up and returns to striking for the final minute of the round. Loughran's Thai clinch halts all of Pacheco's advancements over the final seconds.

10-9 Loughran in the second.

Round 3:
Loughran lands a massive calf kick in the opening seconds and uses it to mix up his combinations. Pacheco is clearly hurt and could be finished at any second. The calf kicks are adding up, and Pacheco can barely put weight on his lead leg. Loughran is teeing off. Pacheco lands a good shot that stumbles Loughran. He follows up with a knee that Loughran catches and scores the takedown. Loughran raises his hands as the buzzer sounds, knowing he won.

10-9 Loughran in the third.

Andre Petroski vs. Jacob Malkoun

THE FINISH CAME OUT OF NOWHERE 😳 #UFCAtlanticCity pic.twitter.com/M7ZxteOJbR
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 30, 2024
 

Result: Jacob Malkoun def. Andre Petroski by TKO at 0:39 of round 2.
Division: Middleweight (185 lbs)
Referee: Gary Copeland

Round 1:
Malkoun wobbles Petroski with a jab early. Malkoun controls the center for most of the round until Petroski returns with a big shot that changes the momentum. They begin to grapple against the fence, with Malkoun digging for a takedown but unable to get it. Malkoun returns to his efficient jab but gets taken down briefly before the buzzer. Round 1 is very close.

10-9 Malkoun in the first.

Round 2:
Petroski shoots for a takedown and seems to have run into Malkoun's hip head-first. This sends Petroski to the mat, and Malkoun kicks his body while he's down, stopping the fight.

Malkoun scores the TKO in the second.

Ibo Aslan vs. Anton Turkalj

ONE HITTER QUITTER 😤 #UFCAtlanticCity pic.twitter.com/7chS6twzPk
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 31, 2024
 

Result: Ibo Aslan def. Anton Turkalj by TKO at 1:32 of round 3.
Division: Light Heavyweight (205 lbs)
Referee: Gary Copeland

Round 1:
To open the round, there were all leg kicks. Turkalj showed some showboating as Aslan missed a kick. A big shot landed from both sides, turning the fight into a brief war. The round ended with Aslan grounding and pounding for a strong finish.

10-9 Aslan in the first.

Round 2:
To start round 2, an insane war breaks out: back-and-forth shots, no one wilting. The action halts due to a groin shot. They get back to it, swinging home runs. Both men look labored and wild. Aslan lands a big overhand in the final seconds of another close round.

10-9 Aslan in the second.

Round 3:
Turkalj looks good in the third round; however, Aslan lands a big overhand right that sits Turkalj down, ending the fight.

Aslan scores the TKO in the third.

Dennis Buzukja vs. Connor Matthews

THAT LEFT HOOK WAS CLEAN FROM DENNIS BUZUKJA 😮‍💨 #UFCAtlanticCity pic.twitter.com/zSSAyV7hKJ
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 31, 2024
 

Result: Dennis Buzukja def. Connor Matthews by TKO at 0:22 of round 3.
Division: Featherweight (145 lbs)
Referee: Keith Peterson

Round 1:
Matthews opens with a big body kick that Buzukja eats like it's nothing. Buzukja finds some momentum and starts teeing off, but it's short-lived due to an accidental groin shot. Buzukja has been landing a great lead straight over the first round.

10-9 Buzujka in the first.

Round 2:
The chins of these men are very impressive tonight. They're both landing big shots and seemingly not being affected. That is, until a connection at the final minute gives Buzukja some adversity, he rallies and keeps the fight where he wants it to be.

10-9 Matthews in the second.

Round 3:
Buzukja starts strong, dropping Matthews with a left hook in the opening seconds of the round. He then follows up with some hammer fists that ultimately end the fight.

Buzukja scores the TKO in the third.

Julio Arce vs. Herbert Burns

JULIO ARCE KNOCKS OUT HERBERT BURNS IN ROUND 2 👊 #UFCAtlanticCity pic.twitter.com/FewwUSQqf0
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 31, 2024
 

Result: Julio Arce def. Herbert Burns by TKO at 2:00 of round 2.
Division: Featherweight (145 lbs)
Referee: Gary Copeland

Round 1:
The fight starts slow. Burns begins to grapple halfway through the round; however, on both attempts, he lands an illegal groin shot, which results in him losing a point. Burns has to rally to tie up this round now, as probably his best bet is a 9-9. Round 1 is close, but either way, Burns cannot get a score advantage.

9-9 Burns in the first.

Round 2:
Round 2 already has both men more aggressive: a flying knee from Burns and an overhand from Arce. Arce lands a head kick that Burns eats up. Arce starts teeing off against the fence, dropping Burns, leading to the end of the fight.

Arce scores the TKO in the second.

Virna Jandiroba vs. Loopy Godinez

Result: Virna Jandiroba def. Loopy Godinez by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27.)
Division: Women's Strawweight (115 lbs)
Referee: Vitor Ribeiro

Round 1:
Godinez is well structured in the opening minutes: a tight guard, nice distance control, and fantastic anti-grappling. Godinez reverses a takedown from Jandiroba and ends up on top, which she uses to return to her feet. Jandiroba earns a takedown and takes the back with short time remaining. Jandiroba ends the round in a dominant position, leading to a close round to score.

10-9 Jandiroba in the first.

Round 2:
Jandiroba is using her reach well with long, straight shots. Godinez reverses a takedown and ends on top, reaching for a leg lock. Godinez spends the next few minutes fighting for this leg. However, Jandiroba fights out of it and returns to the striking with 15 seconds to go. Godinez takes round 2 with a long submission attempt.

10-9 Godinez in the second.

Round 3:
These women are potentially tied up heading into the third and final. The score could be 1-1 or 2-0 either way. Jandiroba needs to return to distance jabs and avoid the takedowns that keep getting reversed on her. Godinez lands an impressive hook as Jandiroba gets out of the pocket, stumbling her slightly. Jandiroba fights for the back in a clinch and begins to sink in a choke with 1 minute to go. Jandiroba ends the round on the back and takes the final round.

10-9 Jandiroba in the third.

Nate Landwehr vs. Jamall Emmers

NATE THE TRAIN PULLS OUT A MASSIVE COMEBACK WIN 🚂 #UFCAtlanticCity pic.twitter.com/ssNvailqpo
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 31, 2024
 

Result: Nate Landwehr def. Jamall Emmers by KO at 4:43 of round 1.
Division: Featherweight (145 lbs)
Referee: Keith Peterson

Round 1:
A quick knockdown boosts Emmers' confidence early. Emmers swings wildly, searching for the knockout. He lands beautiful body shots, but Landwehr's durability is through the roof. Landwehr stings Emmers with the right and lands some emphatic dirty boxing. These men are putting on a show! Landwehr lands an uppercut that drops Emmers and puts him out cold with the ground and pound.

Landwehr scores the KO in the first.

MAIN CARD (ESPN+)

Chidi Njokuani vs. Rhys McKee

Result: Chidi Njokuani def. Rhys McKee by split decision (30-27, 30-27, 28-29.)
Division: Welterweight (170 lbs)
Referee: Keith Peterson

Round 1:
Both traded shots well to open the main card. McKee landed the bigger shots and controlled the grappling more. They arrived at a grappling stalemate, and referee Keith Peterson broke them up with short time remaining. The round ended with McKee getting the better of most of the exchanges.

10-9 McKee in the first.

Round 2:
The clinching begins again, and the crowd rains down boos. They are so evenly matched with the grappling that neither man progresses in this position. They return to the center, and McKee digs deep for a takedown that he's ultimately unable to get—the round ends against the fence in a clinch, with McKee in control.

10-9 Mckee in the second.

Round 3:
Njokuani finds the knee in the opening minute and finally finds some success with the chin. Njokuani scores a big takedown, but McKee gets to his feet immediately. McKee eats many short shots from Njokuani and returns to a fence clinch. Peterson breaks the stalemate yet again. McKee finally finds some success with the grappling and begins to take the back with 1 minute to go. They break, and Njokuani lands a big knee. Njokuani had his best round in the third; however, it was not enough to secure victory.

10-9 Njokuani in the third.

Bill Algeo vs. Kyle Nelson

'THE MONSTER' GETS THE FIRST ROUND STOPPAGE 👏 #UFCAtlanticCity pic.twitter.com/EN8tpyQGTy
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 31, 2024
 

Result: Kyle Nelson def. Bill Algeo by TKO at 4:00 of round 1.
Division: Featherweight (145 lbs)
Referee: Gary Copeland

Round 1:
Both sides engage in a fierce fight style to begin the fight. Nelson gets the better of the exchange and briefly drops Algeo. The low kicks are adding up for Nelson in the opening stanza. Nelson lands a massive shot that stumbles Algeo; Nelson swarms for the finish and earns the standing TKO finish.

Nelson scores the TKO in the first.

Nursulton Ruziboev vs. Sedriques Dumas

Nursulton Ruziboev wins in round 1 after an apparent eye poke led to the finish. #UFCAtlanticCity pic.twitter.com/hM63KaC9Ap
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 31, 2024
 

Result: Nursulton Ruziboev def. Sedriques Dumas by knockout at 3:18 of round 1.
Division: Middleweight (185 lbs)
Referee: Vitor Ribeiro

Round 1:
A well-timed counter from Ruziboev stuns Dumas in the opening minute. Ruziboev lands shots from every angle, but none seem to damage Dumas too much. Dumas looks to the referee for what he thought was an eye poke, to which Ruziboev tees off for the knockout victory.

Ruziboev scores the KO in the first.

Chris Weidman vs. Bruno Silva

CHRIS WEIDMAN FINISHES BRUNO SILVA WITH A MASSIVE LEFT 😳 #UFCAtlanticCity pic.twitter.com/IA5Pp1wUwK
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 31, 2024
 

Result: Chris Weidman def. Bruno Silva by TKO at 2:18 of round 3. Chris Weidman def. Bruno Silva by unanimous decision (19-18, 19-18, 19-18.)
Division: Middleweight (185 lbs)
Referee: Gary Copeland

Round 1:
Weidman looks excellent here. His leg looks strong. With 3 minutes to work, Weidman gets the takedown and takes the back. Weidman is heavy on the wrestling; however, he struggles to advance position—the round ends with Weidman controlling the wrestling.

10-9 Weidman in the first.

Round 2:
Silva is having more success in the second frame. The fight is back and forth until an eye poke from Weidman pauses the action. Silva is very close on his blitzes, but Weidman always gets out of danger. Silva's takedown defense is holding up well in the second. Silva lands a big shot against the fence, but Weidman's head movement shines through. The round comes to an exciting end with Weidman very close to finishing.

10-9 Weidman in the second.

Round 3:
Another big eye poke causes a break in the action, and Silva drops to his knees in pain. They return to the action, and Weidman appears to drop Silva. However, a third eye poke caused the knockdown, leading to the referee stepping in to stop the fight. This should be called a no-contest.

Following the decision, the broadcast announces that this will actually go down as a unanimous decision for Weidman as they go to the early scorecards.

Weidman scores the KO in the third.

Vicente Luque vs. Joaquin Buckley

JOAQUIN BUCKLEY WELCOME TO THE TOP 15 😤

Buckley stops Vicente Luque via TKO in Round 2️⃣ #UFCAtlanticCity
 pic.twitter.com/hVKQ4DA3sS
— COMBAT SPORTS TODAY (@CSTodayNews) March 31, 2024
 

Result: Joaquin Buckley def. Vicente Luque by TKO at 3:17 of round 2.
Division: Welterweight (170 lbs)
Referee: Keith Peterson

Round 1:
They clash right away. Round 1 is very even; the strike numbers, control, and positioning are the same. Luque ends the fight in control of some grappling; however, it could go to either man.

10-9 Luque in the first.

Round 2:
Buckley loads up on his shots. Buckley punishes Luque for an unsuccessful takedown attempt and rains down the ground and pound from the guard. Buckley scores the finish from relentless ground and pound.

Buckley scores the TKO in the second.

Erin Blanchfield vs. Manon Fiorot

Result: Manon Fiorot def. Erin Blanchfield by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45.)
Division: Women's Flyweight (125 lbs)
Referee: Vitor Ribeiro

Round 1:
Both women showed good striking and distance control to start the fight. Fiorot ripped a takedown, but Blanchfield sank in a guillotine choke, which caused Fiorot to abandon the wrestling. They break and return to the center. The striking from Fiorot is finding the mark, but Blanchfield seems okay. Blanchfield ends the round, trying for a takedown, but is ultimately unsuccessful. Round 1 is close, it could go either way.

10-9 Blanchfield in the first.

Round 2:
Blanchfield shoots a takedown early, but Fiorot reverses and winds up on top. Fiorot uses it to get back to her feet and continues striking. Fiorot is slightly ahead through 2 rounds in every department. Blanchfield is just charging forward to break distance and score a takedown; however, even though she's been successful, Fiorot has reversed the position. Fiorot ends the round strongly and is up 2-0, or tied 1-1.

10-9 Fiorot in the second.

Round 3:
Fiorot is in great shape for this five-round fight. This is clearly her biggest round. She controls the striking, defends the grappling, and keeps Blanchfield at bay.

10-9 Fiorot in the third.

Round 4: Blanchfield decides to swing and abandon her previous game plan. This is a better approach for Blanchfield. She's getting in and scoring damage, looking well-conditioned for a main event. Fiorot is still finding success in picking Blanchfield apart. Based on the damage, Fiorot edges out this round, although Blanchfield showed some severe urgency.

10-9 Fiorot in the fourth.

Round 5: Both women are still looking fresh in this fifth and final round. Fiorot is leading head strikes 118-80, but Blanchfield is still in this fight. According to my score and the Verdict MMA score, Blanchfield needs a finish to claw this back from defeat. Blanchfield is showing even more urgency. However, it's too little too late as the buzzer sounds, and Fiorot is prepped to get her hand raised.

10-9 Fiorot in the fifth.