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The newly-crowned light-heavyweight champion was given a hero’s welcome upon his return to Poland.
Add Jan Blachowicz’s name to the list of UFC fighters who have been courted by politicians.
Upon his return to Poland from Abu Dhabi, the newly-crowned UFC light-heavyweight champion met with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawieck, who congratulated the fighter on his victory at UFC 253.
“Thank you very much for the invitation from Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki,” Blachowicz said in a post on Instagram (h/t MMAJunkie). “Both for me and the entire MMA community, it proves that our discipline is not only popular, but also noticeable by the most important people in Poland. It is an honor to be an ambassador of this amazing sport. I hope that after our conversation, the Prime Minister will be waiting in front of the TV, regardless of the time, to watch my next fight ;)”
Blachowicz defeated Dominick Reyes by TKO in the second round of their co-main event showdown for the light-heavyweight title, which had been vacated by longtime champion Jon Jones.
Beyond his invitation to meet with the prime minister, Blachowicz received a hero’s welcome, which included a large crowd of supporters chanting his name at the arrival hall in the airport.