A highly-anticipated Light Heavyweight title fight between division champion Jan Blachowicz and current Middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, has been booked for UFC 259 on March 6, 2021.
That’s according to ESPN, who got the word straight from Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President, Dana White.
Adesanya announced his plans to move up in an attempt to become the promotion’s next champ-champ following his knockout win over Paulo Costa at UFC 253 last September in what was just his second title defense. Much to everyone’s surprise, the promotion obliged and announced plans to allow “The Last Stylebender” to move up.
As for Blachowicz, this will be his first title defense after winning the vacant strap, also at UFC 253 on “Fight Island.” While the fight is an intriguing one to say the least, many were expecting Adesanya’s 205-pound title fight to be against Jon Jones. Those plans were scrapped after “Bones” announced his own plans to move up to Heavyweight to claim that strap.
While White and Co. are still hoping to eventually book a fight between Jones and Adesanya sometime in 2021, a lot is riding on the outcome of Adesanya vs Blachowicz, as well as Jones’ eventual first fight at 265-pounds.
Predictions?
UFC 259 will also feature the return of Amanda Nunes as she defends her Featherweight title against Megan Anderson. In further main card action, Thiago Santos will face Aleksandar Rakic at 205-pounds.