Tag: Jan Blachowicz

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

Following his win over Aleksandar Raki? 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 Ji?í Procházka earlier […]

Following his win over Aleksandar Raki? 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 Ji?í 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 Raki? 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 B?achowicz. 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.

B?achowicz 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. B?achowicz 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 B?achowicz 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 B?achowicz. 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 […]

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 B?achowicz.

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 B?achowicz’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, B?achowicz 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 Blachowicz wants Ji?í Procházka Next: “I think it will be a very good fight”

Jan Blachowicz wants Ji?í Procházka Next: "I think it will be a very good fight"Jan Blachowicz thinks a fight with Ji?í Procházka makes the most sense. Blachowicz has been on the shelf ever…

Jan Blachowicz wants Ji?í Procházka Next: "I think it will be a very good fight"

Jan Blachowicz thinks a fight with Ji?í Procházka makes the most sense.

Blachowicz has been on the shelf ever since a July 2023 loss to Alex Pereira in the current light heavyweight champion’s divisional debut. After undergoing a pair of should surgeries, the Polish powerhouse is healed up and is hoping to make his return to the Octagon before 2024 comes to a close.

Jan Blachowicz

As for who he could find himself competing against, Blachowicz believes there’s only one man who fits the bill. Well, maybe two.

“For me, what makes sense is Hill or Procházka,” Blachowicz told MiddleEasy. “I think Ji?í 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],” Blachowicz continued. “For me, only Pereira, Hill, Procházka. I don’t (want) anybody else” (h/t MMA News).

Jan Blachowicz criticizes Khalil Rountree’s title shot

Despite the long layoff, Blachowicz still holds things down as the No. 4 ranked contender in the light heavyweight division with only Jamahal Hill, Magomed Ankalaev, and Ji?í Procházka sitting above him. Realistically, any one of those fights would make sense.

However, we can’t imagine many people clamoring for a rematch against Ankalaev after their lackluster title tilt in 2022 resulted in a draw.

Meanwhile, Alex Pereira is gearing up for his third defense of the light heavyweight title after smashing his way through both Hill and Procházka earlier this year. In a surprising twist, ‘Poatan’ will meet No. 8 ranked contender Khalil Rountree in the UFC 307 main event on October 5 in Salt Lake City.

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Blachowicz, like many, was none-too-pleased to hear about Rountree’s opportunity to skip the line.

Jan Blachowicz

“With all due respect to Khalil but there are at least two higher ranked contenders who are ready to fight Poatan,” Blachowicz wrote on X. “He doesn’t need special protection.”

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

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan B?achowicz has a firm view on the opposition he should be up against next time out. B?achowicz 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 […]

Continue Reading Jan B?achowicz Names Only 2 Opponents He’ll Accept To Fight In UFC Return Other Than Alex Pereira at MMA News.

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

B?achowicz 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 Ji?í 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, B?achowicz 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, B?achowicz does have a couple of other names he’s willing to be matched up against…

B?achowicz Targets Procházka, Hill For UFC Title Eliminator

During a recent interview with MiddleEasy, B?achowicz looked ahead to his return, which comes after a shoulder injury that required surgery forced him out of a planned rematch with Aleksandar Raki? 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,” B?achowicz said. “I think Ji?í 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),” B?achowicz 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, B?achowicz 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.

Continue Reading Jan B?achowicz Names Only 2 Opponents He’ll Accept To Fight In UFC Return Other Than Alex Pereira at MMA News.

Jan Blachowicz claims Alex Pereira gets ‘Special protection’ after UFC 307 booking with Khalil Rountree

Jan Blachowicz claims Alex Pereira gets 'Special protection' after UFC 305 booking with Khalil RountreeFormer undisputed light heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowicz has alluded to apparent “special” treatment from the promotion toward incumbent gold…

Jan Blachowicz claims Alex Pereira gets 'Special protection' after UFC 305 booking with Khalil Rountree

Former undisputed light heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowicz has alluded to apparent “special” treatment from the promotion toward incumbent gold holder, Alex Pereira – in response to his matching against surging knockout artist, Khalil Rountree at UFC 305 at the beginning of October. 

Pereira, the current undisputed light heavyweight champion and former middleweight titleholder, is slated to headline UFC 307 later this year in the promotion’s return to Salt Lake City, Utah – taking on surging contender, Rountree in his third defense of the 205lbs crown.

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Receiving a slew of negative comments as a result, former titleholder, Jamahal Hill – who has been vocal in his pursuit of a rematch with Pereira, claimed his booking against Rountree was “bad” for mixed martial arts.

“Can’t believe what I just saw announced!!!” Jamahal Hill posted on his X account. “So a guy pulls out of a contender fight because of (sic) failed drug test for a banned substances (sic) and gets rewarded with a title shot?!! This is terrible for the sport and makes the rankings completely pointless!!!”

Daniel Cormier Slams UFC: Why Pereira vs. Ankalaev Fight Was Shelved

Jan Blachowicz unhappy with Alex Pereira’s next booking at UFC 307

Echoing those claims, Polish veteran, Blachowicz – who has yet to receive his own matchup as he recovers from shoulder surgery, claimed the Brazilian was receiving “special protection” from the UFC.

Jan Blachowicz

“With all due respect to Khalil but there are at least two higher ranked contenders who are ready to fight Poatan,” Jan Blachowicz said of Alex Pereira on his official X account. “He doesn’t need special protection.”

In his most recent win, Pereira managed to defend his light heavyweight crown for the second time back in June, landing a dominant second round high-kick knockout win over Jiri Prochazka with a blistering finish in a short-notice main event fight at UFC 303 during International Fight Week. 

Jan Blachowicz campaigns for UFC 310 return amid links to Alex Pereira rematch: ‘I’m back

Jan Blachowicz campaigns for UFC 310 return amid links to Alex Pereira fight I'm backStaking his claim for a title fight rematch with current light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira, former gold holder, Jan…

Jan Blachowicz campaigns for UFC 310 return amid links to Alex Pereira fight I'm back

Staking his claim for a title fight rematch with current light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira, former gold holder, Jan Blachowicz has called for a December return to the Octagon amid a series of shoulder injuries – with the Brazilian’s manager handpicking the Pole as the ideal next contender.

Blachowicz, a former undisputed light heavyweight champion, has been out of action since he fought the above-mentioned, Pereira in a title-eliminator back in July of last year at UFC 291, pushing the Brazilian the distance over the course of three rounds in a close, split decision loss in Salt Lake City.

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And forced from a year-star rematch with fellow European talent, Aleksandar Rakic due to a lingering shoulder injury – which required surgery to address, Blachowicz has been vocal in his quest for a rematch with Sao Paulo finisher, Pereira – particularly with spoils on the line.

Jan Blachowicz

Claiming to possess the “counter” to Pereira’s apparent magic inside the Octagon, Blachowicz was named as the ideal candidate to welcome the former two-weight champion to the Octagon in a bid for a third successful title defense.

Jan Blachowicz calls for December return to the Octagon

And with links emerging to a potential UFC 310 comeback in December for Pereira, Polish veteran, Blachowicz has called for a slot on the same card at the end of this year.

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“Woke up today. I drank my favorite coffee, walked with my dog, played with Jan Jr.” Jan Blachowicz posted on his official X account. “A normal day but something was different. I called the UFC office. I told them: sign me up for December. Feels like my old version is back. I’m back.”

Paving his way to the vacant light heavyweight crown back in 2020, Blachowicz took out multi-time title challenger, Dominick Reyes with a vicious knockout win on ‘Fight Island’.

And lodging a single successful title defense, former KSW champion, Blachowicz knocked back then-middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya with a unanimous decision win at the UFC Apex facility the following year, handing the City Kickboxing staple his first professional mixed martial arts defeat. 

Do you want to see Jan Blachowicz fight for the UFC title in his return to action?