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Tag: Jan Blachowicz

  • Jan Blachowicz Withdraws From UFC 328 With Injury

    Jan Blachowicz Withdraws From UFC 328 With Injury

    Jan Blachowicz will not be competing at UFC 328, withdrawing from his rematch with Bogdan Guskov after suffering a torn meniscus during sparring.

    The former light heavyweight champion announced the injury on Saturday, expressing his frustration in a direct and candid statement.

    “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch,” Blachowicz wrote. “I was supposed to be in the States next week, but plans had to change. I’m beyond pissed. Last round of sparring, wrong position and a kick to the knee. Torn meniscus. The plan and goal were clear, so the disappointment is huge. But this isn’t the end! I’m already working on getting back as soon as possible. Coming back to finish things on my own terms. See you soon!”

    Blachowicz and Guskov were set to meet for the second time after their first fight at UFC 323 in December ended in a majority draw. Guskov appeared to have the victory secured after battering Blachowicz in the second round, but Blachowicz scored a late knockdown that forced the stalemate on the scorecards. The rematch was announced for UFC 328 to settle the unfinished business between the two.

    Whether the UFC will rebook the Blachowicz and Guskov matchup once Blachowicz has recovered, or find a new opponent for Guskov in the interim, has not been announced.

    The withdrawal adds another difficult chapter to what has been a rough stretch for the 43-year-old. Blachowicz has not won a fight since defeating Aleksandar Rakic in May 2022. Since then he has dropped decisions to Carlos Pereira and Alex Pereira and fought to draws against both Guskov and Magomed Ankalaev.

    UFC 328 takes place May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, headlined by Khamzat Chimaev defending the middleweight championship against Sean Strickland in the main event and flyweight champion Joshua Van defending against Tatsuroa Taira in the co-main event.

  • ‘Just Fumbled That Win’ – Fighters & Fans Debate Jan Blachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov Scorecards As UFC 323 Bout Ruled A Majority Draw

    ‘Just Fumbled That Win’ – Fighters & Fans Debate Jan Blachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov Scorecards As UFC 323 Bout Ruled A Majority Draw

    Jan Blachowicz looked to show he can still be considered a top light heavyweight in the world, while Bogdan Guskov looked for his biggest win. Instead, their fight that opened the UFC 323 pay-per-view card ended in a draw.

    The first round was a fairly quiet one, with the most notable part being the number of leg kicks Blachowicz was landing on Guskov.

    Blachowicz looked to continue to work leg kicks, along with his jab, in the second. But Guskov answered with a right hand that dropped Blachowicz, with Guskov doing more damage with ground-and-pound from top position.

    Despite a leg lock attempt from Blachowicz, Guskov continued to hunt for the finish, busting Blachowicz open in the process. The third round, however, saw Blachowicz show off some of his power on the feet once again. He snapped Guskov’s head back a couple of times, coming forward with pressure. Blachowicz ended the fight with a flurry that briefly dropped Guskov.

    Despite Blachowicz’s strong performance, two judges scored the second round 10-8 in Guskov’s favor, ending the fight with a majority draw.

    Jan Blachowicz And Bogdan Guskov Battle To A Draw At UFC 323

    Blachowicz’s sole win since dropping the UFC light heavyweight title came against Aleksandar Rakic in May 2022. Since that fight, Blachowicz is 0-2-2.

    Guskov is now 4-1-1 in the UFC, having not tasted defeat since dropping his UFC debut against Volkan Oezdemir.

  • Former Champ Jan Blachowicz Returns To Action Against Opponent With Four Straight Finishes At UFC Qatar On Nov. 22

    Former Champ Jan Blachowicz Returns To Action Against Opponent With Four Straight Finishes At UFC Qatar On Nov. 22

    Jan Błachowicz has a dangerous test ahead.

    Blachowicz recently took to social media, hinting that he has already signed the contract for his next fight scheduled later this year.

    On Saturday, Red Corner MMA reported that the former UFC light heavyweight champion is expected to square off against No. 10–ranked contender Bogdan Guskov at UFC Qatar, set to take place on November 22 at the ABHA Arena in Doha.

    The upcoming UFC Fight Night marks the promotion’s debut in Qatar and its fifth event to be held in Asia this year.

    UFC Qatar: How Does Jan Błachowicz’s Record Compare To Bogdan Guskov’s?

    Jan Błachowicz was last in action at UFC London this past March, where he dropped a razor-thin unanimous decision to Carlos Ulberg.

    Once riding high on a five-fight winning streak, highlighted by his knockout of Dominick Reyes at UFC 253 in September 2020 to capture the light heavyweight crown, the 42-year-old Polish veteran now finds himself in the toughest stretch of his career, posting just a 1-3-1 record over his last five outings inside the Octagon.

    Blachowicz enters the matchup with a professional record of 29-11-1, boasting 18 victories by way of finish. His resume features notable stoppage wins over the likes of Luke Rockhold, Thiago Santos, and Nikita Krylov.

    Meanwhile, Bogdan Guskov was last seen at UFC Abu Dhabi in July, where he delivered a first-round knockout against Krylov. Though the 32-year-old Uzbekistani stumbled in his promotional debut with a submission loss to Volkan Oezdemir at UFC Paris in September 2023, he rebounded in spectacular fashion, stringing together four straight victories by way of finish.

    “Czarevitch” holds a professional record of 18-3, with every one of his victories coming by stoppage, including notable finishes over Zac Pauga and Ryan Spann.

    Images: @janblachowicz/@ufceurasia/Instagram

  • UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Sean Brady Submits Leon Edwards

    UFC Fight Night Results & Highlights: Sean Brady Submits Leon Edwards

    UFC Fight Night took place tonight from The O2 arena in London, England, and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights! 

    In the main event, welterweights Leon Edwards and Sean Brady clashed. While in the co-main event, Jan Blachowicz faced Carlos Ulberg in a light heavyweight matchup. 

    UFC Results: Main Card

    • Welterweight: Sean Brady def. Leon Edwards via submission: R4, 1.39
    • Light Heavyweight: Carlos Ulberg def. Jan Blachowicz via unanimous decision (29-28×3) 
    • Welterweight: Kevin Holland def. Gunnar Nelson via unanimous decision (29-28×3) 
    • Women’s Strawweight: Alexia Thainara def. Molly McCann via submission: R1, 4.32
    • Lightweight: Chris Duncan def. Jordan Vucenic via submission: R2, 3.42  
    • Featherweight: Nathaniel Wood def. Morgan Charriere via unanimous decision (30-27×3) 

    Preliminary Card

    • Lightweight: Chris Padilla def. Jai Herbert via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29) 
    • Flyweight: Lone’er Kavanagh def. Felipe dos Santos via unanimous decision (29-28×3) 
    • Heavyweight: Marcin Tybura def. Mick Parkin via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
    • Middleweight: Christian Leroy Duncan def. Andrey Pulyaev via unanimous decision (30-27×2, 30-26)
    • Women’s Strawweight: Shauna Bannon def. Puja Tomar via submission: R2, 3.22
    • Bantamweight: Caolan Loughran def. Nathan Fletcher via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29)
    • Lightweight: Kaue Fernandes def. Guram Kutateladze via unanimous decision (30-27×3)

    Preliminary Card Highlights

    Shauna Bannon def. Puja Tomar

    Shauna Bannon earned a submission of Puja Tomar in the second round.

    Main Card Highlights

    Nathaniel Wood def. Morgan Charriere

    Nathaniel Wood got it done on the scorecards against Morgan Charriere in their featherweight matchup.

    Chris Duncan def. Jordan Vucenic

    Chris Duncan submitted Jordan Vucenic in the second round of their lightweight bout.

    Alexia Thainara def. Molly McCann

    Alexia Thainara locked in a rear-naked choke to submit Molly McCann in the first round.

    Kevin Holland def. Gunnar Nelson

    Kevin Holland got it done on the scorecards against Gunnar Nelson.

    Carlos Ulberg def. Jan Blachowicz

    In the co-main event, Carlos Ulberg got it done on the scorecards against Jan Blachowicz.

    https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1903579268338389466

    Sean Brady def. Leon Edwards

    In the main event, Sean Brady submitted Leon Edwards with a guillotine choke in the fourth round of their welterweight bout.

  • ‘Is Somebody Going To Actually Fight?’ – Jamahal Hill Unimpressed As Ulberg Decisions Blachowicz At UFC London

    ‘Is Somebody Going To Actually Fight?’ – Jamahal Hill Unimpressed As Ulberg Decisions Blachowicz At UFC London

    Carlos Ulberg may have now set himself up for a battle of prominent light heavyweight contenders in his next fight after defeating former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz in the co-main event of UFC London.

    But while the fight could have fallen either way, the feeling is that both men could have done more to put on a better performance.

    This opinion is evidently held by former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill, who posted his discontent over how the bout unfolded on social media.

    “Is somebody going to actually fight smh”

    Both men brought out a closely contested opening round, with the two spending time feeling each other out.

    Blachowicz seemed to do more damage, however, thanks to working Ulberg over with a number of calf kicks, in addition to jabs. “Black Jag” did try to fight fire with fire, throwing his own low kicks.

    Carlos Ulberg Edges Out Jan Blachowicz In UFC London Co-Main Event

    The leg kick battle continued into the second round, with Ulberg landing more in terms of quantity, but Blachowicz landing with a little more power behind his attacks, though also slowing down a bit.

    The third round continued the trend, with the Kiwi landing better quality strikes but the Polish veteran spending more time on the front foot. Ultimately, all three judges scored the fight for Ulberg, 29-28.

    Ulberg has now won eight straight, with four finishes during this streak. His sole UFC loss came against Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC 259.

    Meanwhile, UFC London marked Blachowicz’s first fight since losing to Alex Pereira at UFC 291 in July 2023, having dealt with injuries since. The former champion is 1-3-1 in his last five, which stretches back to his title fight loss to Glover Teixiera at UFC 267.

  • Jan Błachowicz Outlines Goal Of Thwarting Alex Pereira’s Plan For Ankalaev Rematch

    Jan Błachowicz Outlines Goal Of Thwarting Alex Pereira’s Plan For Ankalaev Rematch

    Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Błachowicz plans to alter the expected direction of his division’s title picture — and the expected future of Alex Pereira.

    The 205-pound weight class received a shake-up this past weekend when Magomed Ankalaev ended the reign of Pereira, which had successfully moved through three challenges before running into the Dagestani at UFC 313.

    Following his lackluster performance en route to a unanimous decision defeat, “Poatan” has echoed the sentiments of Dana White in suggesting that an immediate rematch is likely for later this year.

    But a former opponent of Pereira’s plans to scupper such plans.

    During an appearance on Wednesday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Błachowicz outlined his goal of securing a rematch with Ankalaev for the gold by making a statement in his return against Carlos Ulberg next weekend in London.

    “I beat (Ulberg), then I take a title shot against (Ankalaev),” Błachowicz said. “I beat Ankalaev and then rematch against (Pereira). I defend the belt against Pereira. This is the perfect scenario for me. Then I can go to the mountains again.”

    Following a draw in his battle with Ankalaev for the then-vacant title in late 2022, Jan Błachowicz welcomed Alex Pereira to the light heavyweight division in mid-2023.

    The Polish veteran fell on the wrong side of a split decision after an incredibly close three-round clash. He’s since been looking toward a chance for redemption against Pereira, and he intends to reach that as a two-time champion at 205 pounds.

  • Jan Blachowicz: ‘I Won Against Alex Pereira…I Deserve This Rematch’

    Jan Blachowicz: ‘I Won Against Alex Pereira…I Deserve This Rematch’

    Jan Blachowicz is eager to return to the title picture and reclaim his status as a UFC champion.

    The former UFC light heavyweight titleholder has faced some of the division’s toughest opponents and now aims to remind fans of his legacy.

    Błachowicz captured the vacant title at UFC 253 with a dominant TKO win over Dominick Reyes, a display that earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. He successfully defended his belt against then-middleweight champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 259 before losing the title to Glover Teixeira at UFC 267.

    Later, at UFC 282, he fought Magomed Ankalaev for the vacant title, ending in a draw. And he most recently came up short against current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira before “Poatan” became the champion at UFC 291. The contest ended in a narrow split decision loss for the Polish veteran.

    On March 22 this year, Blachowicz will face Carlos Ulberg at UFC London, determined to reassert himself in the division. Speaking with MMA Fighting, the former champ expressed his desire to make a statement.

    “I want to remind people how tough I am,” Blachowicz said. “Because I think people forget that I won against Alex Pereira. He just won because the referee helped him, in my opinion. I have a draw with (Magomed) Ankalaev — those are the most dangerous fighters in our division right now. I think people just forgot about me.”

    Blachowicz attributed some of the lack of recognition to his inactivity.

    “I’m not surprised because I stopped. One and a half years, I’m not fighting so this is where I will remind them about the legendary Polish power to the people in the whole world.”

    Despite his respect for Ulberg, Blachowicz is already setting his sights on a rematch with Pereira.

    “Of course, I have a lot of respect for him and what he’s done but this doesn’t change anything,” Błachowicz explained. “I want a rematch against him and after this fight — I’m focused on this fight right now — but if I win and I believe I’m going to win the fight, the next one will be against him. I deserve this rematch, like nobody else in this division.”

  • Jan Błachowicz Explains Jon Jones’ Callout Of Alex Pereira: ‘He’s A Little Bit Afraid’ Of Aspinall

    Jan Błachowicz Explains Jon Jones’ Callout Of Alex Pereira: ‘He’s A Little Bit Afraid’ Of Aspinall

    Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Błachowicz believes an element of fear is playing into heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones’ apparent preference for his next fight.

    Considerable uncertainty surrounds Jones entering 2025, with the next step in his career yet to be decided following his controversial decision to face Stipe Miocic last November instead of the division’s interim titleholder, Tom Aspinall.

    And despite the belts still not being unified, “Bones” has frequently pointed to a showdown with light heavyweight champ Alex Pereira as his desired next outing instead.

    While some have put that down to a marketing tactic that doesn’t truly reflect how Jones feels about facing Aspinall, one man who had his own pursuit of the Rochester native fail a number of years ago sees things differently.

    During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Błachowicz addressed the current state of the heavyweight title picture, outlining his belief that Jones is “afraid” of sharing the cage with Aspinall.

    “I think (Jones) does this because Alex Pereira is now a big star in the UFC,” Błachowicz said. “Everybody knows him. He knows what he’s doing. But I believe he should fight against Aspinall, but I think he’s a little bit afraid of him.

    “Because Aspinall is someone who can really stop him and beat him. I think he believes if he can fight against Pereira, he can take him down, control him, maybe something like this,” Błachowicz continued. “With Aspinall, it will be not so easy.”

    Błachowicz looked to be next in line for Jones before he made the decision to vacate the light heavyweight crown in 2020 ahead of a move to heavyweight. The Polish powerhouse later captured the vacant throne at the expense of Dominick Reyes.

    The veteran is now chasing a second reign, a goal that was most recently stalled by Pereira. Błachowicz welcomed the ex-middleweight champ to 205 pounds in 2023, losing a close and debated decision to “Poatan.”

    The 41-year-old is now set to end his lengthy injury layoff by doing battle with the charging Carlos Ulberg at the UFC Fight Night in London this March.

  • Jan Błachowicz Expects ‘Nothing’ But A Title Shot With UFC London Win Over Carlos Ulberg

    Jan Błachowicz Expects ‘Nothing’ But A Title Shot With UFC London Win Over Carlos Ulberg

    After a year and a half away from the Octagon, Jan Błachowicz is gearing up for his return to the UFC. He is scheduled to face rising contender Carlos Ulberg on March 22, 2025, at UFC London.

    Błachowicz was initially slated for a rematch with Aleksandar Rakić at UFC 297 last January but a shoulder injury required surgery, sidelining him from competition. Across his last four outings, the Polish fighter holds a 1-2-1 record, with his most recent victory coming in May 2022 after an injury to Rakić. Since then, he fought to a split draw for the light heavyweight title against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 282 and lost a split decision to Alex Pereira at UFC 291.

    Speaking on Home of Fight, Błachowicz revealed his intentions to make a strong case for a title shot after his fight with Ulberg.

    “He’s a standup fighter. I’m a standup fighter,” Błachowicz said about Ulberg. “But you know, if I have to use my wrestling, I’ll do it. It’s MMA, but I like fighting standup, so people can expect to see a lot of punches.

    “He’s a very good fighter — great left hand, solid footwork. I’m excited. Seven wins in a row, that’s amazing. It’s time to stop him. … I think if I win this fight in a good way, I will start talking only about the title shot — nothing else.”

  • Jan Błachowicz: Magomed Ankalaev Must ‘Change’ To Have A Chance Of Beating Alex Pereira

    Jan Błachowicz: Magomed Ankalaev Must ‘Change’ To Have A Chance Of Beating Alex Pereira

    Following his win over Aleksandar Rakić at UFC 308 in October, it looks like the next time that we see Magomed Ankalaev, he will finally get his long awaited title shot against Alex Pereira. Many expected that this would be the next test for “Poatan” following his wins over Jamahal Hill and Jiří Procházka earlier this year but instead, he defended the title at UFC 307 by finishing Khalil Rountree Jr.

    In Abu Dhabi, Ankalaev got his hand raised once again after sticking to his word and beating Rakić over three rounds by only striking with him. The Russian has continued to push the idea that when he eventually faced Pereira, he will do the same and will knockout the kickboxing specialist to win the 205-pound gold.

    One fellow top contender who doesn’t think this that applying the same approach is the best idea is the former champion, Jan Błachowicz. In his last outing at UFC 291, “Polish Power” became the closest of anyone to beating Pereira at light heavyweight when he welcomed the former middleweight champion to his new weight class.

    Błachowicz came out on the wrong side of a split decision and though he wasn’t able to land a lot of offense, he did have some success with his grappling and once he became tired, he was able to avoid eating anything too damaging from the Brazilian. Błachowicz gave his thoughts on that potential title fight in a recent interview with James Lynch for Home of Fight.

    He believes that in order for Ankalaev to leave with the title, he needs to take more risks to really put a stamp on the fight instead of simply trying to win each round without taking damage.

    “If Ankalaev will fight like last fight with [Aleksandar] Rakic, he’s going to lose the fight. He needs to do something more. He needs to be like, I don’t know, but – he is good fighter, but it’s not enough for Pereira in this kind of style. He needs to change.

    “He needs to be more – he has to believe in that which he’s doing. I think he doesn’t believe. He just wants to win the fight, but don’t take too much punches. He is very careful in this what he’s doing and I think this kind of way, fighting with Pereira, will not work.”

  • Jan Błachowicz Set To Return After 20-Month Layoff At UFC London In 2025

    Jan Błachowicz Set To Return After 20-Month Layoff At UFC London In 2025

    The first fights are in for next March’s UFC Fight Night in London, and one includes the return of former light heavyweight champion Jan Błachowicz.

    After staging its United Kingdom event in Manchester this past July, mixed martial arts’ leading promotion will head back to England’s capital in the first quarter of 2025, with London’s O2 arena once again playing host to Octagon action.

    A main event is yet to be announced, and a number of home favorites are expected to make the walk in front of their compatriots. The first major announcement, however, will pit a Polish ex-titleholder against a charging New Zealander.

    The UFC announced this week that Błachowicz’s (29-10-1) lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury will come to a close 20 months on from his most recent appearance — a narrow decision loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 291.

    On March 22, the #4-ranked contender will attempt to defend his position in the top five opposite the surging Carlos Ulberg (11-1). That fight was announced alongside another, with English heavyweight Mick Parkin set for a big opportunity against a veteran of the top 10 in Marcin Tybura on home soil.

    Prior to his tight loss to then-future and now-reigning light heavyweight champion Pereira, Błachowicz failed to regain the 205-pound gold against Magomed Ankalaev, whom he fought to a draw against in the main event of UFC 282.

    Ulberg, meanwhile, hasn’t tasted defeat since a UFC debut defeat to Kennedy Nzechukwu in 2021. Since then, “Black Jag” has won six fights consecutively, most recently outpointing former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir at UFC Macau late last month.

  • Jan Błachowicz Names Only 2 Opponents He’ll Accept To Fight In UFC Return Other Than Alex Pereira

    Jan Błachowicz Names Only 2 Opponents He’ll Accept To Fight In UFC Return Other Than Alex Pereira

    Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Błachowicz has a firm view on the opposition he should be up against next time out.

    Błachowicz has been out of action ever since welcoming Alex Pereira to the division back in July 2023. The pair met in a close and competitive co-headliner at UFC 291, which went the distance and split opinion on who deserved the judges’ nod.

    It was ultimately “Poatan” who had his hand raised, and he’s since grown his star no end at 205 pounds, first by winning the vacant gold at the expense of Jiří Procházka and then by recording consecutive defenses over Jamahal Hill at UFC 300 and in a rematch with “BJP” at International Fight Week this year.

    All the while, Błachowicz has watched on as the Brazilian’s path of destruction in the division continues, with the memory of his narrow and controversial defeat remaining at the forefront.

    With that in mind, the Polish powerhouse believes he deserves a second dance with the former kickboxing star upon his return from injury later this year.

    But with “Poatan” instead preparing to face the #8-ranked Khalil Rountree in October, Błachowicz does have a couple of other names he’s willing to be matched up against…

    Błachowicz Targets Procházka, Hill For UFC Title Eliminator

    During a recent interview with MiddleEasy, Błachowicz looked ahead to his return, which comes after a shoulder injury that required surgery forced him out of a planned rematch with Aleksandar Rakić at UFC 297 this past January.

    After reiterating his desire to be the one who unseats Pereira, the 41-year-old pointed to fellow European Procházka and another former champ in Hill as the only other names he will entertain.

    “For me, what makes sense is Hill or Procházka,” Błachowicz said. “I think Jiří is in a dark place right now. I hope that he will come back and we make this fight because I think it will be a very good fight, a very exciting fight. So if not Pereira, I would like to fight against Procházka, somewhere in Europe that will be very big here — in Poland or maybe in Czech Republic. It will be a great event.

    “Of course, (Hill makes sense too),” Błachowicz continued. “For me, only Pereira, Hill, Procházka. I don’t (want) anybody else.”

    It remains to be seen what lies ahead for the Polish fighter, but it’s clear that he’s less than pleased with his potential rematch with Pereira being passed over by Rountree’s surprise shot.

    Believing the champ is being protected, Błachowicz will look to ensure that his claim to a title chance can’t be ignored by making an emphatic return later this year.

    And when it comes to securing an opportunity to regain the crown, it would appear that he has former opponent Magomed Ankalaev to contend with, depending on how the Russian’s next outing goes.

  • Kamaru Usman Sets Record Straight On Potential Jan Błachowicz Fight: ‘I’m No Longer Champion & He’s No Longer Champion…’

    Back when Kamaru Usman was the dominant UFC welterweight champion, he expressed an interest in potentially trying to become a two-weight titleholder.

    It’s the goal that every champion now wants to work toward, but there was one problem with this in Usman’s case. At the time, his friend Israel Adesanya reigned over the middleweight division and the two men had no intention of fighting each other

    Usman, instead, threw the idea out there of him moving up two weight classes to take on the light heavyweight champion, Jan Błachowicz.

    There was even a staredown between them backstage at UFC 276 where, all of a sudden, fans realized that there wasn’t much of a size disparity between them. 

    Kamaru Usman Makes His Opinion Clear On Fighting Jan Błachowicz At Light Heavyweight 

    During a recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Usman spoke about this staredown with the Polish behemoth from several years ago, reflecting on how he felt about it at the time.

    Błachowicz responded to the clip on social media, stating that he is still happy to take on “The Nigerian Nightmare.”

    Following Błachowicz’s post, Usman gave his reaction via the podcast where he said that his words were taken out of context.

    The former welterweight champion states that he was talking about his viewpoint at the time rather than currently, where his thoughts on the fight have since changed. 

    “Obviously they didn’t watch the whole pod and they didn’t get the fact where I said then, when he was champion, I liked the matchup because it made sense, we were fighting for something. Listen, I respect each and every UFC fighter that steps in there, in that Octagon, and even with Jan Błachowicz, I respect him, the original ‘Polish Power’. 

    “Big respect for Jan Błachowicz but I thought that matchup favoured me and I wanted that matchup when Jan Błachowicz was the champion and I was the champion. I am no longer the champion, he’s no longer the champion so that fight makes absolutely no sense, it does nothing for me. If I go up there and I beat Jan Błachowicz, what does that do for me? Nothing, it’s just another paycheck.”   

  • Sean Strickland, Jan Blachowicz Spar Over Russia-Ukraine Crisis

    UFC stars Sean Strickland and Jan Blachowicz recently went at it on social media regarding their stances on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

    Strickland is coming off of arguably the biggest win of his UFC career against Jack Hermansson earlier this year. He’s won six straight fights and appears to be on the verge of a potential middleweight title shot.

    Blachowicz is coming off his title loss to Glover Teixeira at UFC 267. He’s expected to face Aleksandar Rakic later this year.

    The debate between the two fighters started when Strickland questioned Ukraine fighting back against Russia and encouraged the country to surrender.

    “Ukraine should just bend the knee and become Russian,” Strickland said. “I understand it sucks and yes you could win….. but do you really want to be the new Afghanistan for the next 30 years??? Not saying it’s right but this hard pill to swallow will be better in the end.”

    Strickland’s thoughts on the crisis created quite the stir on social media. This prompted a response from Blachowicz, a Polish UFC star, and former light heavyweight champion.

    “Would you? It is easy to give away someone else’s independence,” Blachowicz said. “The history of the Eastern European region is full of struggle and suffering. Ukraine – as a country and as a people – has endured much. Their resistance is understandable and admirable. Freedom!”

    Strickland replied to Blachowicz’s tweet by doubling down on his original post regarding the conflict.

    “35 days for Germany to take control of Poland,” Strickland replied. “The only reason why there is a poland is ww2. Poland isn’t Ukraine. Their children’s children will be living in the rubble of Ukraine struggle under a Russian flag in 5 years. That is the cost. Russian sanctions are Ukraine sanctions.

    “That is the last thing I’ll say on this subject. Mark my words, what I say will come true, tell people to struggle, tell people to fight. There children’s children’s will live in poverty and destruction under a Russian flag. This is the reality.. Hard truths I know.”

    Strickland and Blachowicz aren’t the only notable UFC fighters to make their voices heard on the Ukraine-Russia crisis. UFC featherweight Bryce Mitchell made headlines in the leadup to UFC 272 when he gave his thoughts on the conflict and stated that he wouldn’t fight overseas if the U.S. government mandated it.

    Additionally, Ukrainian fighter Maryna Moroz has shared how she has been personally impacted by the war, even losing some friends.

    Strickland is never afraid to speak his mind on various topics, even when he’s questioned by one of the biggest names in the sport. The Russia-Ukraine crisis continues to be a hot-button issue among professional athletes.

    Do you agree with Jan Blachowicz or Sean Strickland?

  • Jan Blachowicz Applies For “Legendary Polish Power” Trademark

    The term “Legendary Polish Power” is now exclusive to former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz.

    Blachowicz was slated to face Aleksandar Rakic next month but pulled out due to an injury. The matchup is expected to be rescheduled for later this year.

    Blachowicz has kept busy in his personal life after losing the belt to Glover Teixeira at UFC 267. He appears as motivated as ever to reclaim the light heavyweight throne and is having some fun in the process.

    One element that has made Blachowicz particularly unique in MMA circles is his incredible power with his standup. He has showcased the ability to end the fight with one punch, as illustrated by finishes over Luke Rockhold and Dominick Reyes.

    In a recent tweet, Blachowicz shared to his fans that he has trademarked the phrase “Legendary Polish Power” for his use alone.

    “It’s official. #LegendaryPolishPower #LegendarnaPolskaSila,” Blachowicz shared.

    Blachowicz’s legend rose to new heights after dismantling middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in a super fight at UFC 259. In a bout in which many counted him out as an underdog, he controlled the pace of the fight from start to finish and mauled Adesanya with his grappling.

    Despite the loss to Teixeira, Blachowicz appears in good spirits ahead of his UFC return. He’s looking to get back in the light heavyweight title picture if he can get past a top contender in Rakic.

    Do you think Jan Blachowicz will get the UFC light heavyweight title back in 2022?

  • Jan Blachowicz Shares The “Secret” Behind His Adesanya Win

    Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jan Blachowicz has teased what made him get the better of Israel Adesanya at UFC 259.

    Blachowicz earned a dominant win over Adesanya at UFC 259, which was Adesanya’s first and only defeat in the Octagon. He has risen to stardom at middleweight despite falling short of double-champion status against Blachowicz.

    A lot has changed since Blachowicz and Adesanya went to battle last year. Blachowicz went on to lose the title stunningly to Glover Teixeira at UFC 267, while Adesanya has defended his belt against Marvin Vettori and most recently against Robert Whittaker.

    Despite being the light heavyweight titleholder in their matchup, some fans saw Blachowicz as the underdog against Adesanya. During a recent interview with Sportsnaut, Blachowicz explained what made his approach to Adesanya different than his other opponents.

    “It was because I’m Jan Blachowicz, they are not,” Blachowicz said. “This is the biggest difference. In this fight, I took my legendary Polish power with me. That’s it. This is the secret, legendary Polish power. If I don’t forget it in the hotel room I beat everybody. If I forget it, not.”

    Adesanya hasn’t ruled out another attempt at light heavyweight after losing to Blachowicz. He’s also been at odds with another former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones after a series of social media banter.

    Blachowicz was supposed to face Aleksandar Rakic next month but had to withdraw due to an injury. The matchup is expected to be rescheduled for later this year.

    If Blachowicz is victorious against Rakic and reclaims the light heavyweight throne, a rematch against Adesanya could be on the table. This would allow Adesanya to get vengeance at 205 pounds.

    What did you make of the Jan Blachowicz vs. Israel Adesanya matchup?

  • Usman On Why He Considered LHW Jump: “It’s Jan”

    UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman has shed some more light on why he considered challenging for former light heavyweight king Jan Blachowicz’s title.

    Since ascending to the 170-pound mountaintop in 2019, an achievement that came through a dominant five-round performance against Tyron Woodley, Usman has firmly established himself as one of the most dominant champions in the UFC, in a one-on-one race for welterweight GOAT status, and arguably in the conversation for the greatest of all time, period.

    Having beaten off two challenges each from Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal and finishing Gilbert Burns, “The Nigerian Nightmare” sits comfortably on the welterweight throne, but also with the pound-for-pound crown in his possession.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CZb1zYVLjab/

    Looking to prove and demonstrate his P4P dominance, Usman recently revealed he’d considered jumping two divisions to light heavyweight to challenge Polish powerhouse Blachowicz, who, at the time, reigned over the 205-pound landscape.

    Since that revelation, a number of contenders have given their thoughts on how Usman would fare in their home turf. While the upcoming title challenger Jiří Procházka suggested “The Nigerian Nightmare” would lack his usual speed and power, the rising Jamahal Hill told MMA News that Usman would be “tiny” for a light heavyweight.

    Usman’s Two-Division Aspirations Derived From One Matchup

    Now, as the discussion surrounding a potential pursuit of glory at a second weight continues, Usman has clarified his comments.

    During an interview with CBS Sports, the welterweight titleholder explained that his desire to jump up to 205 pounds derived from his feelings towards a fight against Blachowicz, an opponent he believes he’d match up well with.

    “I was very serious. I got some flak for it, and people were thinking, ‘Oh, no, he’s just saying this.’ No, I was very serious,” said Usman. “Because Israel Adesanya is the middleweight champion and Jan Blachowicz was the light heavyweight champion, I saw that matchup and I said, ‘Hey, that’s a fight that I can deal with. It’s Jan. 

    “No disrespect to Jan. I think he’s a great competitor, he’s a very powerful guy, he’s got a lot of power in his hands, but I thought that was a matchup that favored me,” Usman added. “I thought if I had skipped the middleweight class, went up to light heavyweight, I definitely would be a champ-champ. But unfortunately, he’s no longer the champ, so I will stay put where I am, and we’ll have that conversation if it happens.”

    With compatriot and friend Israel Adesanya on the middleweight throne, any push for champ-champ status would have to see Usman skip the 185-pound class.

    However, with Blachowicz losing the gold to veteran Brazilian Glover Teixeira at UFC 267 last October, it remains to be seen whether or not Usman fancies his chances against light heavyweights beyond the recently-dethroned Blachowicz.

    How do you think Kamaru Usman would have fared against then-champion Jan Blachowicz in 2021?

  • Jan Blachowicz Hopes To Avoid Surgery For Spinal Disease

    Jan Blachowicz hopes medicine and weeks of rehab will be enough to avoid surgery for cervical disc complications.

    The Polish fighter was on a three-fight win streak before becoming the light heavyweight champion in 2020. He then successfully defended the title for the first time against middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.

    He was then scheduled to defend the belt a second time against Glover Texiera. The 42-year-old Brazilian closed the main event early in round 2 by rear-naked choke, thus becoming the new light heavyweight champion.

    Glover Teixeria and Jan Blachowicz
    Glover Teixeria and Jan Blachowicz, Photo Credit: Chris Unger

    It was a monumental moment for Teixeria, but Blachowicz was in a poor state of mind during the fight. Jan gave a vague explanation of why he had a “bad day” on the night of UFC 267 but claims he would have lost to anyone that night.

    Though Blachowicz did not quit after the loss. A match on March 26 against #3 light heavyweight contender Aleksandar Rakic was in the works for the former champion.

    However, Blachowicz reports medical issues that will halt his 2022 comeback, according to MMA reporter Ariel Helwani.

    “I asked Jan Blachowicz how he was feeling recently. He told me he has ‘cervical spine discopathy,’ which, according to Spine-Health.com, is a ‘degenerative disc disease’ and a common cause of neck pain and radiating arm pain. It develops when one or more of the cushioning discs in the cervical spine starts to break down due to wear and tear. Cervical degenerative disc disease is diagnosed when a damaged disc in the spine becomes symptomatic,” Helwani wrote on his Substack.

    No venue is set in stone for the March bout, but health issues will require a replacement for Jan.

    Jan needs about 4-5 weeks of rehab and medicine to hopefully evade going into surgery.

    What are your thoughts on Jan Blachowicz’s diagnosis?

  • Blachowicz vs. Rakić March Bout Scrapped, Potentially Moved To May

    MMA reporter Ariel Helwani revealed today via his substack page that Jan Blachowicz has withdrawn from his March 26 bout against Aleksandar Rakić.

    According to the Thursday report, the hope is to reschedule the bout for May. Former

    Blachowicz’s reign at the top of the 205-pound mountain came to a crashing halt at UFC 267 in October. Having won the vacant title in memorable fashion against Dominick Reyes, and successfully defended it once by handing middleweight king Israel Adesanya his first loss in MMA, the Polish star faced the test of Glover Teixeira in Abu Dhabi.

    At 42 years of age, it was the Brazilian’s final chance to have UFC gold wrapped around his waist. With a second-round rear-naked choke, Teixeira dethroned Blachowicz and did exactly that.

    Given his prior form, which had seen him build a five-fight winning streak that dated back to a loss against Thiago Santos in 2019, many had expected Blachowicz to send Teixeira into retirement and move onto a European clash with Jiří Procházka. Having seen those plans collapse, the 38-year-old will be looking to rebound back to the belt in 2022.

    During a recent appearance on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour, Blachowicz discussed his plans for 2022, revealing his intentions of returning to the Octagon in the year’s first quarter and discussed a potential bout against Rakić.

    “Yeah, it’s good fight, you know. He’s good, he’s strong, you know, young fighter. All fighters in the UFC, top 10, top five, you know, they are amazing fighters and (it’s a) pleasure for me to fight against all of them. Rakić is good for the next fight, but we will see.”

    If this pivotal light heavyweight bout gets rescheduled or either fighter gets a new opponent, MMA News will bring you the scoop.

  • Kamaru Usman Considered Facing Jan Blachowicz For LHW Belt

    UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman pondered the idea of furthering his greatness by facing Jan Blachowicz at 205 pounds.

    Usman has risen to the top spot in the UFC’s pound-for-pound list after a memorable 2021. He earned knockout finishes over Gilbert Burns and Jorge Masvidal and won his rematch with Colby Covington at UFC 268.

    Usman is widely expected to face Leon Edwards next in another defense of his welterweight title. However, he’s also flirted with the idea of attempting to become a champ at multiple weight classes.

    During a recent interview with GQ, Usman revealed that he once eyed a matchup with Blachowicz when he was the light heavyweight champion.

    “I was going to skip Israel [Adesanya and go fight Jan at 205 [pounds],” Usman said. “Because I’m pound-for-pound, I want to prove it. No matter what weight it is, I thought he was a really good matchup for me.”

    Blachowicz shares a two-inch height advantage over Usman. Still, Usman has always been seen as big for a welterweight and has at times looked extraordinarily drained after weight cuts.

    For now, the possibility of a Usman vs. Blachowicz fight is off the table. Blachowicz lost his belt to Glover Teixeira in stunning fashion at UFC 267 and will face Aleksandar Rakic later this year.

    This isn’t the first time that Usman has raised some eyebrows with his ambitions. He has called for a boxing match with world champion Canelo Alvarez despite no boxing experience, but UFC president Dana White doesn’t seem keen on making it happen.

    Usman and Blachowicz are still looking to hold their spots as two of the most intimidating fighters on the planet, but a fight between them looks to be buried in the past.

    How do you think a Kamaru Usman vs. Jan Blachowicz fight would play out?

  • Rakić Claims He’s “Much Hungrier” Than Blachowicz

    UFC light heavyweight contender Aleksandar Rakić believes he’s “much hungrier” than his upcoming opponent and former champion Jan Blachowicz.

    Rakić has spent much longer on the sidelines than he wanted, but it appears he’ll finally have the chance to secure number one contender status when he returns to action in the first quarter of 2022. The Austrian last entered the Octagon at UFC 259 in March, where he defeated former title challenger Thiago Santos by way of a unanimous decision.

    After challenges sent the way of fellow top-five Jiří Procházka fell on deaf ears and an apparent rematch with Anthony Smith fell through after an injury for “Lionheart,” Rakić’s next outing was finally confirmed. He’ll meet European peer Blachowicz in the main event of a UFC Fight Night scheduled for March 26.

    Following the announcement, Rakić spoke to MMA News’ James Lynch to discuss his upcoming fight with the Polish behemoth, his rivalry with Czech knockout artist Jiří Procházka, his experience training with Khamzat Chimaev, and his feud with former opponent Smith.

    Rakić Targets Title Shot By Slaying A Former Champion

    While Rakić has certainly been impressive in his UFC tenure to date, which most believe should see him unbeaten at 7-0 given the controversial nature of his split decision loss to Volkan Oezdemir, Blachowicz will be no easy path to go through to reach the top step at 205 pounds.

    Before losing his belt to Glover Teixeira at UFC 267, the Pole had experienced an unlikely resurgence and title crowning. Having became champion after upsetting the odds against Dominick Reyes last year, Blachowicz recorded a successful defense by adding the first blemish to the record of middleweight king Israel Adesanya.

    Rakić told MMA News he’s expecting a motivated Blachowicz come March 26. However, given the fact he’s yet to feel what it’s like to sit on the top step, “Rocket” believes he’ll be “much hungrier” when the pair enter the cage together.

    “I’m thinking that he’s gonna come with the extra motivation to our fight and to be a better version, you know. To beat a guy even more hungry than before and more willing to get the belt back, it’s gonna be awesome. He was already on the top, he knows how it feels. I was never on the top and I was never a champion. So I am much hungrier than him, that I can say.”

    Nevertheless, Rakić acknowledges the challenge he has in front of him. Hailing from a central European country himself, the 29-year-old is aware of the toughness Blachowicz has inside him. With that in mind, the Austrian will be preparing for war as he looks to secure a title shot for later in the year.

    “I have a great team and we’ve been watching Jan for a while now… He’s a tough guy. He’s from Poland; from this area, guys are really tough. He’s coming not to lose, he’s coming for everything. But I am from the same area. I’m the same…I’m gonna be right on point on the 26th of March to get the W and to secure my title shot.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CXWW0DMpUsz/

    With Teixeira and Procházka expected to collide for the gold in the second quarter of 2022, likely April or May, according to the Brazilian, it stands to reason the winner of Rakić vs Blachowicz will be fighting the champ in the back end of 2022.

    Who do you think will have their hand raised in the March 26 UFC Fight Night main event, Aleksandar Rakić or Jan Blachowicz?

  • Jan Blachowicz Hopes To Be The One To Dethrone Glover Teixeira

    Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jan Blachowicz has expressed his desire to be the man who dethrones reigning titleholder Glover Teixeira.

    Blachowicz was one of the most unlikely champions in UFC history. In 2017, a defeat to Patrick Cummins left him 1-4 across a five-fight period. Just as many expected him to be released, the Pole began a remarkable turnaround. In his next 10 appearances, Blachowicz won nine, defeating the likes of Jared Cannonier, Jimi Manuwa, Nikita Krylov, Luke Rockhold, Corey Anderson, and Jacaré Souza.

    After Jon Jones vacated the 205-pound gold, Blachowicz faced Dominick Reyes for the title at UFC 253. Despite entering the fight as a considerable underdog, the 38-year-old secured a memorable championship crowning with a second-round TKO. Six months later, he defended it for the first time by adding the first blemish to middleweight king Israel Adesanya’s record.

    While many expected veteran Teixeira to be a brief stop-off on the way to a European showdown with the rising Jiří Procházka, that couldn’t have been further from the reality. At UFC 267, the Brazilian became the second oldest UFC champion in history by submitting Blachowicz in the second round.

    Blachowicz Has His Sights Set On Revenge

    Having left Abu Dhabi slightly lighter with the absence of the light heavyweight gold, Blachowicz’s attention has now turned to redemption. The Cieszyn native will look to rebound in the coming months, something he’s been used to doing across his seven-year career on MMA’s biggest stage.

    During an appearance on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour, Blachowicz made it clear that his desire to be on the 205-pound throne is as strong as ever. When asked to predict the likely next title fight between Teixeira and Procházka, the Polish star said he hopes the Brazilian retains so that he can be the one to dethrone him in a rematch.

    “I don’t know if Glover (is) gonna be in the same shape like (when he faced) me. Maybe him. I will keep fingers crossed for him because I would like to take the belt from his hands, you know? And I hope he still will be, you know, he not going to be retired when I get the second chance for the title. I would like to take the belt from him.”

    Blachowicz may well have the chance to secure his shot at redemption when he returns to action in 2022. The 38-year-old revealed he’s targeting March as the month for his first Octagon outing of 2022. Having shut down any talk of a clash with former title challenger Anthony Smith, Blachowicz expressed his desire to face Austrian contender Aleksandar Rakić.

    How do you think rematch between Jan Blachowicz and Glover Teixeira would play out?

  • Jan Blachowicz: I’d Have Lost To Anybody At UFC 267

    Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jan Blachowicz has addressed his UFC 267 loss to Glover Teixeira, claiming he’d have “lost to anybody” that night.

    Blachowicz’s career has often been a tale of resurgence and beating the odds. Having had a veteran complete his journey at the Pole’s expense in October, the 38-year-old will have to dig deep and bounce back from a setback once again.

    In 2017, a defeat to Patrick Cummins meant Blachowicz was 1-4 in his previous five fights and on the brink of being released from the UFC. From there, the Cieszyn native defeated the likes of Jared Cannonier, Jimi Manuwa, Luke Rockhold, and Corey Anderson on his way to a title shot. There, he defied the odds and finished Dominick Reyes to experience a heart-warming championship crowning.

    Having defended the gold at UFC 259 earlier this year by becoming the first man to defeat middleweight titleholder Israel Adesanya, Blachowicz faced his first challenge from the 205-pound roster in the form of 42-year-old light heavyweight mainstay Teixeira. Joining Randy Couture in the post-40 champions’ club, the Brazilian submitted Blachowicz in the second round in Abu Dhabi.

    It Wasn’t Blachowicz’s Night

    Given his run since a 2019 defeat to Thiago Santos, Blachowicz’s performance came as a surprise. Dominated in all realms, the Polish powerhouse was outclassed on the night. Now, in an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, the former champ has discussed what went wrong on Fight Island.

    In simple terms, Blachowicz admitted that nothing went right on October 30. Despite that, he won’t wallow in self-pity and believes he has what it takes to bounce back in 2022.

    “Everything goes wrong, you know. I shouldn’t fight that night. But what can I do? I can just, you know, (go) back to the training, back to the gym, train harder, and try to get that belt back, you know. And that’s it. I’m not gonna be sad, I’m not gonna be thinking about the fight because I don’t want to worsen my life about something like this. I think about the fight, why it goes wrong, but I don’t waste time to be sad. I will not hide under the bed and cry.”

    Despite not going into detail on why he doesn’t think he should have fought, Blachowicz did suggest it was bad enough day for him that he’d have fallen to defeat against anybody.

    “I wasn’t hurt, that was just bad day for me. I will, I think, I will lose with anybody that night, you know. I don’t want to explain myself. It wasn’t my night, that’s it. But sometimes I need something like this. Sometimes I think that I need to lose the fight; I need to do one step back to do two forward, you know. When you look to my career, always be like this. So I believe this time I learned something from this fight and I’m gonna be a better fighter. Same like Thiago Santos and different opponents who beat me.”

    It appears Blachowicz won’t have to wait long for his chance to rebound. Having suggested he’d be open to facing Aleksandar Rakić in March, Ariel Helwani recently reported that the bout is being targeted for the March 26 event.

    With the Austrian ranked at #3, it stands to reason a victory over the former champ will book his place opposite the winner of the likely next title fight between Teixeira and Jiří Procházka in late 2022. Blachowicz will be looking to spoil those plans for “Rocket” by securing his chance for redemption.

    Do you think Jan Blachowicz can regain the light heavyweight title?

  • Anthony Smith Afraid Of Being ‘Left Out In The Cold’ In LW Division

    Anthony Smith has a few issues with the status of the light heavyweight division.

    There is a new champion at the top of the UFC light heavyweight division and that has shaken up the top five. With Glover Teixeira now holding the belt that frees up former champ Jan Blachowicz. There are a few possibilities for Blachowicz but he has mentioned wanting contender Aleksander Rakic next. With Jiri Prochazka most likely next for the champ, this might leave Anthony Smith on the outside looking in.

    Smith was a guest on The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast to talk about his concerns.

    “I’m afraid because I’m indifferent [about who I fight next], I’m going to get left out in the cold,” Smith said. “It would be a real sh*tty deal if Jiri Prochazka gets the title shot and then Rakic and Blachowicz fight each other and that kind of leaves me sitting out with my hands out.”

    Smith’s last time out in the UFC ended in a victory over Ryan Spann back in September. Smith has won his last three outings and is currently ranked fourth behind Blachowicz, Rakic, and Prochazka. The last time Smith lost was against Rakic, and that is one fight he would like to get back.

    “Listen, I’ve got a lot of respect for Aleksandar Rakic and what he’s done and I have a lot of respect for his skills and abilities, but he’s not that well-liked,” Smith explained. “He’s not the UFC’s favorite guy. Beating him is kind of its own reward, personally. Because I’m not sure how highly people, the powers-that-be, would look upon that win. Because he’s not super exciting for as big as an athlete as he is, and impressive as his physique is, he doesn’t fight like that. So he doesn’t have a fan appealing style.”

    Smith is getting call-outs as well, but maybe not the ones he wants. He is a former title challenger and with one more big win could be right back in line to challenge for the belt again.

    Who do you think Anthony Smith should face in his next UFC bout?