Corey Anderson improved his Bellator MMA record to 3-0 by smashing fellow UFC export Ryan Bader in the Bellator 268 co-main event last weekend in Phoenix, punching his ticket to a 205-pound title fight opposite reigning champion Vadim Nemkov in early 2022.
And according to “Overtime,” that makes him the best 205-pounder on the planet.
“I already know I’m the best light heavyweight in the world,” Anderson told MMA Junkie at a post-fight news conference. “I already know Jan (Blachowicz) was a hiccup of mine in my own shield. I’m not going to say I underestimated him, but I looked past him. I was thinking, ‘I whooped the shit out of this dude once and I’m going to do it again.’ But I shouldn’t have. I should have taken it one fight at a time.”
Blachowicz lost a three-round decision to Anderson at UFC 191 back in Sept. 2015, but avenged that loss at UFC Fight Night 167 nearly five years later, ending “Overtime” with a thunderous first-round knockout.
The loss sent Anderson to Bellator MMA.
“Hold up… So a guy who bolted from the UFC after I’ve slept him and almost made him retire, got a couple of wins in the 2nd league and claims he is the best?” Blachowicz (or someone writing on his behalf) posted on Twitter. “Maybe I’ve punched him too hard… No class in win or defeat Corey. There’s levels to this.”
Anderson (16-5) blasted his way into UFC by capturing the glass trophy on Season 19 of The Ultimate Fighter, but never seemed happy with the way he was treated under the Dana White regime. “Overtime” was granted his unconditional release and immediately signed with Bellator MMA.
Blachowicz (28-8) went on to capture the 205-pound title vacated by Jon Jones.
“Let’s not forget what happened to you the 1st time I left you looking like elephant man,” Anderson fired back. “And you posted ‘I need to go home and rethink my career.’ Yea I got knocked out in our 2nd fight (lucky punch?) but I made you my broad for 15 min straight, nothing lucky about that.”
The chances of seeing a light heavyweight rubber match are currently idling on the corner of Slim & None since they compete for different promotions. But fighters yelling at each other on Twitter is all the rage these days, so I guess we’ll just roll with it.