Jasudavicius Calls Blanchfield Clash a Flyweight Eliminator

Jasmine Jasudavicius believes her co-main event matchup with Erin Blanchfield at UFC Edmonton this Saturday is a de facto title eliminator at women's flyweight, with the winner positioned to challenge newly crowned champion Natalia Silva.

"I think that is very accurate. I think whoever wins this fight does expect a title shot," Jasudavicius told reporters at Wednesday's UFC Edmonton media day. "I think that this fight is a title eliminator."

The fight was originally slated for Philadelphia in August before Blanchfield withdrew with an injury. It landed instead in Jasudavicius's home country, at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, and in the time since, the women's flyweight picture has been blown wide open. Valentina Shevchenko vacated the title, and Natalia Silva has since been installed as champion, leaving the 125-pound division without a clear next challenger. Jasudavicius, ranked No. 6, and Blanchfield, ranked No. 4, now control their own path to the belt with a win Saturday.

Why This Fight Decides the Next Flyweight Challenger

Both fighters are treating this as a title eliminator, and neither is shy about saying so. Blanchfield was reportedly passed over for a shot at Silva's belt following UFC 332, a snub she's openly motivated by heading into Edmonton. Jasudavicius said she wasn't surprised to see Blanchfield framing the fight the same way she does. "I did obviously see her and think of this," Jasudavicius said of eyeing Blanchfield as a future opponent even before the booking came together, adding there was "a little trickle in my mind" once the matchup was finalized.

The pair previously shared a card in Edmonton two years ago, and Jasudavicius is leaning into the symmetry. "I initially was upset about it being changed from Philly, because I was ready. But now, it's great, because I've had two camps to prepare for this girl," she said. "I feel very confident. Mentally, physically, emotionally ready to get in there and have the performance of a lifetime."

What a Win Means for a Toronto Title Shot

Jasudavicius is already eyeing a potential title fight in Toronto, with the UFC rumored to return there for a numbered event in January 2027 tied to Paramount+'s expanded Canadian coverage. "I'm not here for a long time, I'm here for a good time. I would love to stay active, I would love to fight in Toronto, and it would be an honour to fight for the belt in Toronto," she said. Nothing is confirmed on that front, but the timeline gives Saturday's result extra weight beyond the immediate matchup.

Betting Angle

This is the kind of fight bettors should treat as a two-way pick'em style spot rather than a mismatch, given the rankings gap is tight and both women have clear motivation tied to a vacant title picture. Blanchfield's frustration at being bypassed for a shot at Silva adds a sharper edge to her side of the equation, while Jasudavicius pointing to two full camps of preparation and home-country comfort is a real factor oddsmakers and bettors alike should weigh. With the winner likely next in line for Natalia Silva, expect any current number on this fight to tighten as fight week progresses and public money reacts to both fighters' title-shot rhetoric.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Jasudavicius vs. Blanchfield considered a title eliminator?

With Valentina Shevchenko vacating the women's flyweight title and Natalia Silva newly crowned champion, both Jasmine Jasudavicius and Erin Blanchfield believe the winner of their UFC Edmonton co-main event will be next in line for a title shot.

Where does the Jasudavicius vs. Blanchfield fight take place?

The fight is the co-main event of UFC Edmonton at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, this Saturday, after originally being scheduled for Philadelphia before Erin Blanchfield withdrew with an injury.

What are the current rankings of Jasudavicius and Blanchfield?

Erin Blanchfield is ranked No. 4 and Jasmine Jasudavicius is ranked No. 6 in the UFC women's flyweight division heading into their UFC Edmonton matchup.