UFC Edmonton results: Erin Blanchfield calls out Alexa Grasso after comeback win over Rose Namajunas

It was a tale of two fights for Erin Blanchfield, but the last part was the clincher.

Blanchfield earned a unanimous decision victory over former UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas in the five-round co-main event of UFC Edmonton. “Cold Blooded” overcame a slow start, losing the first two rounds before storming back and winning the next three.

All three judges scored Blanchfield 48-47, helping her bounce back from her first UFC loss to Manon Fiorot in the main event of UFC Atlantic City last March.

In the first round, Namajunas and Blanchfield stood for the entire stanza. While Blanchfield had moments of success, Namajunas was simply better on his feet. Blanchfield attempted her first takedown in the second, but Namajunas used the momentum to take the fight to the ground herself and gain control of the side before opting to get back up, where she continued to outwork the 25-year-old in strikeout exchanges .

Namajunas attempted a takedown two minutes into the third round, but Blanchfield did a good job luring her into a false sense of security to gain top position. Namajunas kept Blanchfield close to avoid major damage, but Blanchfield's nearly four minutes of control time was the deciding factor heading into the championship rounds.

Blanchfield came out with more confidence and aggression in the fourth period, even winning some of the early rallies. As Namajunas began to land, Blanchfield blocked her opponent's body and pinned Namajunas against the fence. Namajunas caused a separation and the strike continued. After a brief clinch against the fence, another quick exchange ended the verse.

At the start of the fifth period, Blanchfield took a shot and landed a big shot on Namajunas. A solid exchange between both women ended with Blanchfield scoring an effortless takedown, moving to side control and moving into the crucifix position. Blanchfield had full control of the mat, but Namajunas was able to return to an upright position with less than a minute left. Blanchfield's crushing pressure against the fence continued to end the fight.

Following the win, Blanchfield demanded a fight with former flyweight champion Alexa Grasso, who recently lost the title to Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 306 in September.

With the loss, Namajunas snapped a two-fight winning streak and falls to 2-2 since moving up to the 125-pound division.