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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Flyweight grapplers Erin Blanchfield<\/strong> vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius<\/strong> will clash this weekend (Sat., Oct. 17, 2026) inside Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, for UFC Edmonton.<\/p>\n I know we\u2019ve all been slagging off the UFC Edmonton event as vaguely pointless, but could there be a title eliminator hiding right under our noses? Depending on the timeline of Valentina Shevchenko<\/strong>\u2019s return, there\u2019s a real chance the winner of this co-main event challenges Natalia Silva<\/strong> in her first potential title defense. Blanchfield has been circling those waters for a long time now. The 27-year-0ld standout has won eight of her nine bouts, including a victory over former champion Rose Namajunas<\/strong>. Jasudavicius, meanwhile, is making her own late run at the top, as the 37-year-old veteran has won six of her last seven fights and is currently the highest ranked Canadian fighter on UFC\u2019s roster.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s take a closer look at the betting odds and strategic keys for each athlete:<\/p>\n WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – APRIL 18: (R-L) Jasmine Jasudavicius of Canada punches Karine Silva of Brazil in a flyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Canada Life Centre on April 18, 2026 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. (Photo by Chris Unger\/Zuffa LLC)<\/p>\n NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 15: (L-R) Erin Blanchfield of the United States punches Tracy Cortez of United States during UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n Blanchfield is perhaps the division\u2019s best grappler, a BJJ black belt with slick transitions and above-average takedowns as well. Her kickboxing is best described as serviceable: she maintains a high output and has some sneaky kicks, but there\u2019s still not a ton of snap or fluidity to her offense.<\/p>\n Her striking is generally a means to an end.<\/p>\n Blanchfield wants a wrestling match here. Jasudavicius is a surprisingly physical wrestler with solid endurance, but Blanchfield is simply the better grappler. If the duo start to scramble, it should be Blanchfield who\u2019s able to look down good positions and emerge from the chaos on top.<\/p>\n She does not, however, want to exhaust herself forcing takedowns. I\u2019d like to see Blanchfield throwing straight shots and remaining mobile, convincing Jasudavicius to chase after her. If she can catch a kick or duck under a punch, she\u2019ll start those scrambles with a head start. That\u2019ll save energy, as well as increase the odds that she\u2019s able to jump the back or otherwise attack a strangle.<\/p>\n If she wants a title shot, it\u2019s time for a statement win.<\/p>\n Photo by Chris Unger\/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to remember that Jasudavicius only began her professional career in 2019. She\u2019s still improving despite her age, which helps explain his sudden surge up the ranks beginning in 2024. A physically strong Flyweight, Jasudavicius excels at grinding down her opponents and beating them up from top position.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the issue for Jasudavicius: she\u2019s functionally a worse striker than Blanchfield, and she doesn\u2019t want to scramble with the better grappler. If she immediately shoots below the waist, she\u2019s likely entering a whirlwind of guillotine attempts and reversals that are unlikely to favor her.<\/p>\n She does seem to have an advantage in physicality, however. We have seen Blanchfield fatigue, even if fights where she\u2019s outlasted her opponents, and she doesn\u2019t appear to have the raw strength\/size of her Canadian foe. How to take advantage?<\/p>\n I\u2019d like to see Jasudavicius channel the spirits and game plans of Randy Couture<\/strong>, Josh Barnett<\/strong> and Daniel Cormier<\/strong>. She should push forward and use her wrestling\/strength to jam Blanchfield into the fence and keep her there! From close quarters, Jasudavicius can aim to wear down her opponent with elbows and knees and generally impose her will.<\/p>\n Once Blanchfield is a little tired, it might be time to wrestle and look for ground strikes.<\/p>\n Photo by Jeff Bottari\/Zuffa LLC<\/p>\n I think Jasudavicius could score the upset if she follows the correct game plan and executes it perfectly. That\u2019s a pair of tall tasks, however, and I don\u2019t know that I trust her to stay out of her own way. Jasudavicius is a wrestling-based grinder through and through \u2014 will she have the discipline to avoid shooting and giving Blanchfield her own opportunities?<\/p>\n Probably not. Blanchfield is a more fluid mixed martial artist and better in too many areas. In all likelihood, the fight is scrappy on the feet, but Blanchfield wins the ground battle and spends more time in top control.<\/p>\nBlanchfield vs. Jasudavicius Betting Odds<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
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Blanchfield vs. Jasudavicius Prediction<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Prediction<\/strong>: Blanchfield via decision<\/em><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n
To checkout the latest <\/strong>UFC Edmonton fight card and rumors click here.<\/strong><\/h5>\n