Blanchfield is right in the thick of things too. The 26-year-old prodigious talent was limited to one fight in 2025 when her main event with Maycee Barber was scrapped at the literal last moment, but she made the most of her chance and submitted Cortez at in the second round at UFC 322. “Cold Blooded” has impressed since joining the roster as a 22-year-old in September 2021, picking up wins over Andrade, Taila Santos, Molly McCann and Namajunas on her way to a 9-1 record in the Octagon. Depending on how things shake out, she might need to snag another victory to cement her claim on a title shot.
That fight could come in a rematch with Fiorot, who beat Blanchfield on the scorecards in their March 2024 main event. “The Beast” responded well to her loss to Shevchenko, starching Jasudavicius in the first round in Vancouver and reminding everyone of her quality in the weight class. Maycee Barber was able to quiet the critics with a victory over Karine Silva at UFC 323, her first fight since March 2024 after dealing with a bevy of health issues. “The Future” is on a seven-fight winning streak, and if she can regain some of the momentum she lost, she could find herself in the title picture in the second half of 2026 as well.
2026 DIVISION PREVIEWS: Flyweight | Featherweight | Lightweight | Welterweight
On the other hand, Cortez and Jasudavicius will have to find their ways back into the winner’s circle, but they are both considered two of the more intriguing talents in the weight class, so if they can string together consecutive wins in 2026, they might set themselves up for a title run in 2027.
Other Names to Track: Karine Silva, Miranda Maverick
