UFC Fight Night: Rothwell vs Dos Santos – Idiot’s Guide Preview to Igor Pokrajac vs Jan B?achowicz

A Croatian light heavyweight veteran makes his last run against a Polish journeyman in this barncooler of a fight for UFN 86 in Croatia.

The UFC Light Heavyweight division gets a bout that doesn’t affect the division this April 10, 2016 at the Arena Zagreb in Zagreb, Croatia.

The Match Up

Light Heavyweight Igor Pokrajac 28-12 vs. Jan Błachowicz 18-5

The Odds

Light Heavyweight Igor Pokrajac +310 vs. Jan Błachowicz -370

3 Things You Should Know

1. This is Pokrajac’s last hurrah. Don’t pretend it’s anything but.

To be fair to Igor, his losses were to mostly respectable fighters in the division. It’s not like the UFC gave him favorable treatment. He earned every inch he got bloodied up for. And he picked up some nice wins along the way. Against James Irvin would it sort of not really still meant something. Against Soszyński and Maldonado, etc. He’s also a solid technical fighter. He just isn’t a premier athlete, and never was. A win might get him more UFC fights, but senescence doesn’t change with victory.

2. This is pink slip time for Blachowicz. Hell, even an uninspired win and Joe Silva in the wrong mood could be enough to send him packing.

Blachowicz is a lot better than his record indicates, which is good for him, since this is his fight to lose. Jimi Manuwa and Corey Anderson were tough outings. Even his debut against Ilir Latifi was a rough one, but he made it through OK. The issue with Jan is that he seems incapable of making the most of his gifts, which brings me to…

3. Pokrajac should be overwhelmed in theory, but you never know. Experience can be more valuable than a sports talking point on occasion.

Igor, for whatever these talking head memos mean, is a smart fighter who has benefited from years of experience. He’s patient with his offense, and has an understanding of the game that reflects his solid record. While he’s not the most athletically talented, he hits pretty damn hard. However, he doesn’t capitalize on his power through craft, and combinations. He capitalizes on his power through positioning and timing. He’s good at pressuring opponents without being obvious about it, and being able to switch levels makes him doubly effective.

Blachowicz’s issue is the opposite of Igor. Where Igor knows how to move forward with economy, Blachowicz is too frugal. Frugality doesn’t pay in MMA. He’s got a brilliant slicer of a left hand, and a nice left kick, but his offense is contained to spurts rather than splatter. In addition, he’s good everywhere else. He’s nothing extraordinary, but he won’t need to be against Igor.

Prediction

Straight forward fight for Jan. He just needs to let Pokrajac’s movement do enough work to keep him close. As long as Blachowicz has at range for his strikes, the clinch, or a ground war the bout is tilted in his favor. Jan Blachowicz by TKO, round 3.

A Croatian light heavyweight veteran makes his last run against a Polish journeyman in this barncooler of a fight for UFN 86 in Croatia.

The UFC Light Heavyweight division gets a bout that doesn’t affect the division this April 10, 2016 at the Arena Zagreb in Zagreb, Croatia.

The Match Up

Light Heavyweight Igor Pokrajac 28-12 vs. Jan B?achowicz 18-5

The Odds

Light Heavyweight Igor Pokrajac +310 vs. Jan B?achowicz -370

3 Things You Should Know

1. This is Pokrajac’s last hurrah. Don’t pretend it’s anything but.

To be fair to Igor, his losses were to mostly respectable fighters in the division. It’s not like the UFC gave him favorable treatment. He earned every inch he got bloodied up for. And he picked up some nice wins along the way. Against James Irvin would it sort of not really still meant something. Against Soszy?ski and Maldonado, etc. He’s also a solid technical fighter. He just isn’t a premier athlete, and never was. A win might get him more UFC fights, but senescence doesn’t change with victory.

2. This is pink slip time for Blachowicz. Hell, even an uninspired win and Joe Silva in the wrong mood could be enough to send him packing.

Blachowicz is a lot better than his record indicates, which is good for him, since this is his fight to lose. Jimi Manuwa and Corey Anderson were tough outings. Even his debut against Ilir Latifi was a rough one, but he made it through OK. The issue with Jan is that he seems incapable of making the most of his gifts, which brings me to…

3. Pokrajac should be overwhelmed in theory, but you never know. Experience can be more valuable than a sports talking point on occasion.

Igor, for whatever these talking head memos mean, is a smart fighter who has benefited from years of experience. He’s patient with his offense, and has an understanding of the game that reflects his solid record. While he’s not the most athletically talented, he hits pretty damn hard. However, he doesn’t capitalize on his power through craft, and combinations. He capitalizes on his power through positioning and timing. He’s good at pressuring opponents without being obvious about it, and being able to switch levels makes him doubly effective.

Blachowicz’s issue is the opposite of Igor. Where Igor knows how to move forward with economy, Blachowicz is too frugal. Frugality doesn’t pay in MMA. He’s got a brilliant slicer of a left hand, and a nice left kick, but his offense is contained to spurts rather than splatter. In addition, he’s good everywhere else. He’s nothing extraordinary, but he won’t need to be against Igor.

Prediction

Straight forward fight for Jan. He just needs to let Pokrajac’s movement do enough work to keep him close. As long as Blachowicz has at range for his strikes, the clinch, or a ground war the bout is tilted in his favor. Jan Blachowicz by TKO, round 3.