Jasmine Jasudavicius went into UFC Edmonton as an underdog, a fact that might have hurt Erin Blanchfield’s chances of beating her.
The flyweight contender picture was shaken up Saturday with Jasudavicius’ impressive decision win over Blanchfield in the evening’s co-main event. Jasudavicius used a dominant grappling attack to neutralize Blanchfield in the first two rounds and when the final bell rang, there was no doubt the Canadian would have her hand raised.
Jasudavicius is just the second woman to hand Blanchfield a UFC defeat, and she’s certain Blanchfield’s previous success caused her to overlook the task at hand.
“Yes,” Jasudavicius said at the UFC Edmonton post-fight press conference when asked if she felt Blanchfield underestimated her. “I do think that she did underestimate me. She’s obviously a talented grappler, but I’m big, I’m strong, I’m really good at grappling.”
In Jasudavicius’ previous outing, she bounced back from a loss to Manon Fiorot with a decision win over Karine Silva. Beating Blanchfield gave Jasudavicius two straight wins and seven in her past eight.
While the odds favored Blanchfield getting past Jasudavicius and possibly earning a title shot, Jasudavicius never doubted her chances of being the one to make a contender statement.
“I did think it was definitely possible to be that dominant,” Jasudavicius said. “I didn’t know for sure, of course it’s always the unknowns going into a fight, but yeah, I’m very thankful for my skills and abilities and yeah, I know I can be the best in the world and I just try to do my best every fight.”
Currently, Natalia Silva reigns over the 125-pound division, having defeated Wang Cong at UFC 332 to claim a vacant belt in the absence of injured longtime champion Valentina Shevchenko. Should Shevchenko be unable to return to fight for the belt soon, the timing could work out for Jasudavicius to receive her shot instead.
Silva won a lopsided decision over Jasudavicius when they fought at UFC Austin in 2022, but Jasudavicius thinks she deserves another chance to face Silva and that their rematch would go differently.
“When Natalia Silva and I fought the very first time, I had no information on her for three years prior to this, so yeah, I could kind of see her style, but you watch me three years ago vs. now?” Jasudavicius said. “I’m a different fighter, and just like her, too. I feel like now, knowing her style, knowing what to expect, I would definitely prepare different for that fight and I think it makes sense for our paths to cross again.”