Top UFC Pick: Manon Fiorot ML (+160) [1u to win 1.60u] at Bovada (visit our Bovada Review)
The UFC makes its long-awaited return to Atlantic City this weekend, with top contending women’s flyweight competitors exchanging leather in the evening’s main event, and we’re covering all your betting needs at the top-rated sportsbooks.
Number 2-ranked women’s flyweight Erin Blanchfield goes toe-to-toe with number 3-ranked Manon Fiorot, and the winner of this elite-level contest is expected to be next in line for an opportunity at 125-pound women’s gold.
Read on for our complete betting guide with an early preview of the UFC Atlantic City main event clash between Blanchfield and Fiorot, including updated UFC odds and our free expert UFC first look betting picks, predictions and analysis.
UFC Atlantic City Information
- When: Saturday, March 30, 2024 – 09:00 PM ET
- Where: Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
- Scheduled Bouts: 14
- Main Event: Erin Blanchfield vs. Manon Fiorot
- Moneyline Probability: Blanchfield – 20.4% (-185) Fiorot – 82% (+159)
UFC Atlantic City Main Event: Blanchfield vs. Fiorot
Erin “Cold Blooded” Blanchfield
At just 24 years old and with only two years of UFC experience under her belt, Erin Blanchfield is gearing up for a hometown main event fight in New Jersey. With that said, it’s no surprise that she’s dominated the opposition to date, with a six-fight win streak since joining the promotion.
Despite not fighting for the first time in the UFC until the latter half of 2021, Blanchfield of New Jersey has already put the division on notice with her striking records. Among flyweights, her major strike difference of 2.26 is fifth all-time, while her strike accuracy ranks sixth.
Although this weekend’s main event almost begs for exciting striking exchanges, “Cold Blooded” isn’t afraid to rely on its superb grappling when necessary, and Fiorot will unquestionably be an opponent she’ll want to consider such a game plan with.
Blanchfield Combat Sports Accomplishments
- UFC Performance of the Night (One time)
- Tied for second-longest win streak in UFC flyweight history (6)
- Tied for second most submissions in UFC flyweight history (3)
- Invicta Performance of the Night (Two times)
- Eddie Bravo (BJJ) Invitational Champion (One time)
Blanchfield Best ML Odds: -180 at Everygame
Manon “The Beast” Fiorot
With some of the greatest striking in all of women’s professional mixed martial arts, Manon Fiorot, a French native, has soared to the No. 3 position in the flyweight rankings following a dominant streak of six wins since her UFC debut in 2021.
Fiorot is a master of self-defense, something that comes easy for this karate black belt. She is second best among flyweights all-time at evading significant strikes, having done so in 70% of her bouts to date.
However, what use is a striker with sufficient grappling attributes? Fear not. Jennifer Maia is the only opponent to have ever taken Fiorot to the mat during her UFC tenure, and her reaction to this was ultra-impressive, as she returned to her feet effortlessly.
Fiorot Combat Sports Accomplishments
- Tied for second-longest win streak in UFC flyweight history (6)
- EFC Women’s Flyweight Champion (One time)
- UAEW Flyweight Champion (One time)
Fiorot Best ML Odds: +160 at Bovada
UFC Atlantic City: Tale of the Tape
UFC Atlantic City Skillset Analysis: Styles Make Fights
Blanchfield, a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, has more control time than any flyweight in history. It’s safe to say that despite her willingness to trade leather when needed, her bread and butter is grappling, and she’ll certainly need to sharpen this tool when faced with one of the most exquisite strikers in women’s MMA.
We’re faced with a classic striker versus grappler matchup in Atlantic City and the two biggest prospects inside the women’s flyweight division. However, the big question remains: who’s skill set owns the upside?
It’s a question of whether or not the takedown defense of Fiorot can hold up for 25 minutes. While she’s unquestionably holding a huge advantage on the feet, she lacks finishing power, so fending off Blanchfield's takedowns for five rounds en route to the judges’ scorecards is likely her lone path to victory.
Takedown Defense
Watching Fiorot’s fast-twitch reactions to past takedown attempts and her instant do-or-die reactions to avoiding them makes me believe she’ll have enough to keep this fight standing more often than not.
Blanchfield doesn’t have enough tools on her feet to worry Fiorot, and without a grounded affair, she’ll be nothing more than a punching bag. Her entries to takedowns can sometimes be simple to read, and while she may land one or two during the course of this bout, I struggle to envision her keeping this consistent versus the impressive cardiovascular the underdog has presented throughout her career.
The UFC Atlantic City Best Bet Formula
The available UFC odds have placed Fiorot as the betting underdog, and this is a perfect wagering position for Fiorot bettors.
Should Blanchfield land takedowns early and often, I’ll be hedging my position without question. However, I don’t see this happening. Fiorot is such a talented striker, and when constant takedowns don’t arrive for the American, the Frenchwoman will piece her up in striking exchanges and collect the points needed to win a unanimous decision.
UFC Pick: Fiorot ML (+160) at Bovada [1u to win 1.60u]
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
Calculators
