'Everyone else in the rankings, they've had their shot at the title. Whoever wins this fight does expect a title shot. I feel like this fight is a title eliminator'

In combat sports, looking past your current opponent at what might be next on the horizon usually means getting your head taken off.

So Jasmine Jasudavicius knows better than to daydream about what might happen after Saturday’s UFC Fight Night showdown with fourth-ranked Erin Blanchfield.

But there is no ignoring the landscape in the flyweight division: Whoever wins this fight has to be in line for a title shot against newly-crowned champion Natalia Silva.

“I definitely think so,” said the sixth-ranked Jasudavicius. ”I think the division is super shaken up right now, and anyone having a good performance, they’re kind of up next.”

It’s hard to argue. Everyone else in the top six has already had at least one title shot, so it stands to reason that a strong performance could catapult the winner to the front of the line.

“Everyone else in the rankings, they’ve had their shot at the title. Whoever wins this fight does expect a title shot. I feel like this fight is a title eliminator.”

So does Blanchfield.

“I definitely think an impressive finish in this fight will put me ahead. I’ve been there for a couple of years now and haven’t had my opportunity yet, so I feel like with a really dominant performance Saturday it should put me right in that place.”

If that sounds like they are looking past each other, they are not. They were just answering Media Day questions about what’s at stake, which figures to turn the heat up on Saturday’s co-main event.

Neither fighter is a stranger to Edmonton, either. They both fought here when the UFC invaded Rogers Place in 2024 — Jasudavicius beating Ariane Lipski and Blanchfield beating Rose Namajunas — and knew they would probably be in the cage together some time soon.

“Definitely,” said Jasudavicius. “I’ve always had my eyes on the girls in the weight classes. Anyone who’s at 125, if I see them around I’m kind of looking at them, sizing them up. I did obviously see her and think about this.”

The two were initially supposed to be fighting last August, at UFC 330 in Philadelphia, before Blanchfield got injured in training, so they’ve had a long time to prepare for what the other brings to the cage.

“It was frustrating,” said Jasudavicius. “It was two weeks before the fight happened that I got the call. Then I heard it was moved to Edmonton and I was like ‘OK, no problem.’

“Now it’s great because I’ve had two camps to prepare for this girl. I feel very confident — mentally, physically and emotionally ready to get in there and have the performance of a lifetime.”

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