Preview: UFC Fight Night 192 Prelims

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Women’s Flyweights

NR | Erin Blanchfield (6-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. NR | Sarah Alpar (9-5, 0-1 UFC)

ODDS: Blanchfield (-310), Alpar (+255)

This should serve as a solid test for Blanchfield, one of the more promising prospects available on the flyweight scene. Despite being just 22 years old, Blanchfield already has over three years as a pro under her belt and has shown off a great deal of skill, proving herself as a submission threat while also providing some highlight-reel knockouts, particularly a head kick finish of Victoria Leonardo in February 2020. However, there are some questions involving Blanchfield for the time being, mostly around her physicality and ability to control a fight. This should get resolved as she gets older, but she is not an overwhelmingly powerful force and got controlled for much of her 2019 encounter with Tracy Cortez—the lone loss on her record. Alpar figures to provide a solid benchmark in that aspect. Alpar is a well-tested veteran who is a wrestler first and foremost. Not a particularly explosive athlete, Alpar looks to get by on aggression and a willingness to keep attempting to take her opponent to the mat. She has also proven to be quite durable, even if that seemed like more of a curse than a blessing in her UFC debut against Jessica-Rose Clark, as it eventually turned into a one-sided beating. Alpar is moving down to flyweight for this fight, and it will be interesting to see if that unlocks some athleticism or a strength advantage that was not previously seen at 135 pounds. Barring that, it is difficult not to favor Blanchfield as the harder hitter and more skilled fighter. The pick is Blanchfield via decision.

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