Tag: Jan Blachowicz

Jan Blachowicz Reveals Where He’d Be Without Fighting

Jan Blachowicz would have led a completely different life had it not been for fighting. Blachowicz recently sat down with John Gooden to talk about his journey in mixed martial arts (MMA). The former 205-pound champion admitted he once considered a military career before getting into the sport. However, after starting to train and compete,…

Continue Reading Jan Blachowicz Reveals Where He’d Be Without Fighting at MMA News.

Jan Blachowicz would have led a completely different life had it not been for fighting.

Blachowicz recently sat down with John Gooden to talk about his journey in mixed martial arts (MMA). The former 205-pound champion admitted he once considered a military career before getting into the sport. However, after starting to train and compete, he realized he wanted to be an athlete.

“When I was younger, when I was 18 years old, I trained very hard, but I wanted to go to the military. I wanted to be a soldier. But then I won my first competition. That was really important for me, this competition.

“I won that, I had the gold medal, and I was so happy. I changed my mind completely. ‘Okay, I will not go to the military. I’m gonna be a sportsman…’ It was best decision of my life [LAUGHS]. I put everything on one card.”

It’s safe to say Blachowicz made a sound decision. The Polish striker has established himself as one of the most fierce knockout artists in the UFC. He even had a run with the UFC light heavyweight title, taking the vacant strap by defeating Dominick Reyes in 2020.

Unfortunately, his first title defense resulted in a second-round submission loss to Glover Teixeira this past October. Now, Blachowicz will work his way back to the gold, with his first stop being against Aleksandar Raki? at UFC on ESPN 36 on March 26.

With an impressive showing against Raki?, Blachowicz could find himself right back in the mix for the light heavyweight title.

Who are you picking between Jan Blachowicz and Aleksandar Raki?? Sound off in the comments!

Continue Reading Jan Blachowicz Reveals Where He’d Be Without Fighting at MMA News.

Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Raki? – LowKick MMA Staff Predictions

Jan BlachowiczThis weekend’s UFC main event features two elite light heavyweights clashing in what could well be a No.1 contender bout, with the victor likely to go on and face the winner of Glover Teixeira and Jiri Prochazka. Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz will take on surging contender Aleksandar Rakic. The two European giants […]

Jan Blachowicz

This weekend’s UFC main event features two elite light heavyweights clashing in what could well be a No.1 contender bout, with the victor likely to go on and face the winner of Glover Teixeira and Jiri Prochazka.

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz will take on surging contender Aleksandar Rakic. The two European giants are known for their finishing ability, and will undoubtedly put on an exciting and dynamic performance as they attempt to assert dominance over the 205lb landscape.

Who will pick up the win and take that next step towards title contention? Let’s see what the LowKickMMA staff have to say:

LowKick MMA Staff Predictions for Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic

Frank Bonada

Excellent matchmaking here from the UFC between two elite contenders both hailing from Europe – If only the fight were taking place in Poland or Austria. Regardless, it still has the makings of an extremely competitive bout. I am currently leaning towards Blachowicz. Rakic has a reputation for being a lethal knockout artist, but since his split decision loss to Volkan Oezdemir in 2019, ‘Rocket’ has become considerably more tentative in his approach. This did allow him to pick up wins over Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith, but against the ferocious tenacity of Blachowicz, I believe this approach will crumble. Blachowicz has demonstrated the ability to keep a high pace throughout and has a number of additionally damaging attacks in his arsenal. Blachowicz by decision or late stoppage.

Prediction: Blachowicz

Ross Markey

Former champion, Jan Blachowicz has been sidelined since losing the undisputed UFC light heavyweight championship last October to Glover Teixeira – and appears to be entering this weekend’s UFC Vegas 54 rescheduled headliner against Aleksandar Rakic with a certain chip on his shoulder. Suffering a surprising submission loss to the Brazilian, a combination of age and the fact that he’s surrounded by surging contenders at 205lbs, the Pole is faced with somewhat of a crossroads fight at light heavyweight. Experience will likely play a sizeable factor in his fight with Austrian-born upstart, Rakic – as well as a certain technical edge which will force Rakic to consider all means of offense beyond his composed striking, rangy shots, and the eventual utilization of his wrestling game. Blachowicz can, however, take solace in the fact that he’s faced the likes of fellow athletic strikers such as Israel Adesanya, and former champion, Luke Rockhold – and has emerged with victories in both. I’m expecting Blachowicz to land a decision victory over Rakic in a composed outing, without an overabundance of risking taking over the course of five rounds.

Prediction: Blachowicz

Michael Gringich

Rakic is ready to take that next step and will walk away with his hand raised. He’s been lights out since his loss to Volkan Oezdemir. I see Rakic fighting a smart fight and staying along the outside while technically picking Blachowicz apart. Although, one thing that is worrisome is Rakic’s long absence from the cage. With that being said, I believe youth prevails in this one and Rakic will most likely fight the winner of Glover Teixeira and Jiri Prochazka for the title.

Prediction: Rakic

Olli Brockett

The main-event show at UFC Vegas 54 is set to be an interesting affair. Aleksander Rakic will be looking to further establish himself in the Lightweight division, with a win over the former champion Jan Blachowicz. However, despite the fact that Blachowicz is in the latter stages of his career. I believe the 39-year-old still has miles in the tank and will aim to utilize his high-level wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu to reduce Rakic’s ability to use his length and come out with a convincing decision victory this Saturday evening.

Prediction: Blachowicz

Who do you see winning this weekend?

Blachowicz: It Would Be A “Pleasure” To Fight Kamaru Usman

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz has left the door open for a potential future fight with welterweight titleholder Kamaru Usman. Earlier this year, Usman, who has reigned supreme over the 170-pound division since 2019 and defended the title five times since his crowning, made headlines by revealing he’d considered a two-division championship quest…

Continue Reading Blachowicz: It Would Be A “Pleasure” To Fight Kamaru Usman at MMA News.

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz has left the door open for a potential future fight with welterweight titleholder Kamaru Usman.

Earlier this year, Usman, who has reigned supreme over the 170-pound division since 2019 and defended the title five times since his crowning, made headlines by revealing he’d considered a two-division championship quest in 2021, but by uniquely skipping a weight class.

With no desire to fight fellow African champ and friend Israel Adesanya, “The Nigerian Nightmare” had his sights set on light heavyweight gold. Usman later clarified that his champ-champ ambitions solely derived from his belief that then-titleholder Blachowicz was a favourable matchup for him.

“No disrespect to Jan. I think he’s a great competitor, he’s a very powerful guy, he’s got a lot of power in his hands, but I thought that was a matchup that favored me,” Usman said during an interview with CBS Sports.

As it turns out, a desire for that matchup isn’t one-sided.

Blachowicz On Usman Fight: Why Not?

During a recent interview with the New York Post, Blachowicz, who seemingly ended Usman’s 205-pound goals by dropping the belt to Glover Teixeira last October, admitted that it would be a “pleasure” to share the Octagon with the pound-for-pound best.

“He is the best fighter in the world right now, yes? That would be [a] pleasure for me to fight against someone like him,” said Blachowicz. “Why not? We can do it in [the] future. I will be ready. It will be [an] exciting fight.”

If Blachowicz is to make a date in the cage with Usman come to fruition, he’ll first have to reclaim his place on the light heavyweight throne, a feat that he’ll move closer to accomplishing if he can emerge victorious this weekend.

In the UFC Vegas 54 main event, the Polish powerhouse will face fellow European Aleksandar Raki? in what many perceive to be a title eliminator.

Should Blachowicz defeat the Austrian on Saturday and go on to dethrone either Teixeira or number-one contender Ji?í Procházka, perhaps Usman’s thoughts of a transition to light heavyweight will be re-ignited.

How do you think a fight between Jan Blachowicz and Kamaru Usman would play out?

Continue Reading Blachowicz: It Would Be A “Pleasure” To Fight Kamaru Usman at MMA News.

Blachowicz: It Would Be A “Pleasure” To Fight Kamaru Usman

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz has left the door open for a potential future fight with welterweight titleholder Kamaru Usman. Earlier this year, Usman, who has reigned supreme over the 170-pound division since 2019 and defended the title five times since his crowning, made headlines by revealing he’d considered a two-division championship quest…

Continue Reading Blachowicz: It Would Be A “Pleasure” To Fight Kamaru Usman at MMA News.

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz has left the door open for a potential future fight with welterweight titleholder Kamaru Usman.

Earlier this year, Usman, who has reigned supreme over the 170-pound division since 2019 and defended the title five times since his crowning, made headlines by revealing he’d considered a two-division championship quest in 2021, but by uniquely skipping a weight class.

With no desire to fight fellow African champ and friend Israel Adesanya, “The Nigerian Nightmare” had his sights set on light heavyweight gold. Usman later clarified that his champ-champ ambitions solely derived from his belief that then-titleholder Blachowicz was a favourable matchup for him.

“No disrespect to Jan. I think he’s a great competitor, he’s a very powerful guy, he’s got a lot of power in his hands, but I thought that was a matchup that favored me,” Usman said during an interview with CBS Sports.

As it turns out, a desire for that matchup isn’t one-sided.

Blachowicz On Usman Fight: Why Not?

During a recent interview with the New York Post, Blachowicz, who seemingly ended Usman’s 205-pound goals by dropping the belt to Glover Teixeira last October, admitted that it would be a “pleasure” to share the Octagon with the pound-for-pound best.

“He is the best fighter in the world right now, yes? That would be [a] pleasure for me to fight against someone like him,” said Blachowicz. “Why not? We can do it in [the] future. I will be ready. It will be [an] exciting fight.”

If Blachowicz is to make a date in the cage with Usman come to fruition, he’ll first have to reclaim his place on the light heavyweight throne, a feat that he’ll move closer to accomplishing if he can emerge victorious this weekend.

In the UFC Vegas 54 main event, the Polish powerhouse will face fellow European Aleksandar Raki? in what many perceive to be a title eliminator.

Should Blachowicz defeat the Austrian on Saturday and go on to dethrone either Teixeira or number-one contender Ji?í Procházka, perhaps Usman’s thoughts of a transition to light heavyweight will be re-ignited.

How do you think a fight between Jan Blachowicz and Kamaru Usman would play out?

Continue Reading Blachowicz: It Would Be A “Pleasure” To Fight Kamaru Usman at MMA News.

UFC Vegas 54 Betting Preview

UFC Vegas 54Despite falling under the shadow of the recent UFC 274, UFC Vegas 54 is a card full of surprisingly interesting and high-level matchups. Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz takes on surging contender Aleksandar Rakic in the main event, with the winner likely to go on and fight for the belt next. In the […]

UFC Vegas 54

Despite falling under the shadow of the recent UFC 274, UFC Vegas 54 is a card full of surprisingly interesting and high-level matchups. Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz takes on surging contender Aleksandar Rakic in the main event, with the winner likely to go on and fight for the belt next.

In the co-main, Ryan ‘Superman’ Spann takes on the ever-entertaining Ion Cutelaba, whilst UFC veterans Davey Grant and Louis Smolka face off in an electric bantamweight scrap.

Katlyn Chookagian, Amanda Ribas, Jake Hadley, Michael Johnson, and Angela Hill also all feature on this card. Join LowKick MMA as well attempt to break down, and hopefully make some money, off of UFC Vegas 54:

Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic

There are a number of ways you could play the main event of UFC Vegas 54. Both men are solid strikers, with the gas tank to go the full five rounds. Blachowicz likely has the more attritional damaging strikes, but Rakic has the reach advantage and a style that wins rounds. Blachowicz’s last fight, when he lost his title against Glover Teixeira, was one of his worst performances in the octagon to date. Whether you think this is indicative of the Pole’s future or not will likely result in you taking either man’s ML.

However, we will not be backing either side. Instead, Betway has the fight to go over 3.5 rounds at 1.83 odds. Jan Blachowicz has this ‘Polish Power’ reputation, that does not completely represent the way he fights. Nine of his UFC fights have gone to decision, with the majority of his KO wins coming against opponents now known for their durability, such as Luke Rockhold. As of late, Rakic has also been a decision machine, preferring to outpoint Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith, rather than go for the big finish.

There is still a chance this fight doesn’t go the distance, but this is more likely to happen late than early. Blachowicz vs. Rakic to go over 3.5 rounds is our first bet.

Davey Grant vs. Louis Smolka

Two solid options here in this UFC Vegas 54 bantamweight matchup. Louis Smolka has not gone to the decision in his past six UFC fights, and he takes on one of the hardest hitters in the 135lb division. Smolka’s most recent loss to Vince Morales was a brutal KO, by an opponent not known for his finishing ability. Look for Grant to land his patented body shot, hook to the head combination and put ‘Da Last Samurai’ to sleep. Davey Grant to win via KO is at 2.00 on Betway.

Alternatively, if you think Smolka has a chance at locking up one of his sneaky submissions, fight doesn’t go the distance is priced at 1.44.

Katlyn Chookagian vs. Amanda Ribas

Another bet from UFC Vegas 54 that essentially picks itself is Katlyn Chookagian to win via decision against Amanda Ribas. Chookagian is undeniably one of the best fighters in the division, especially in the striking department. However, she never finishes her opponents. All 10 of her UFC wins have gone to the judge’s scorecards. She will also have a significant size and reach advantage over Ribas, who is moving up in weight.

Chookagian by decision can be found at plus money on Betway.

Image
Katlyn Chookagian vs. Jennifer Maia

What are your best best for UFC Vegas 54?

Jan Blachowicz Would Love To Fight Vladimir Putin: ‘Put Him In His Place’

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz wants a shot at Russian President Vladimir Putin in a fight. Blachowicz is set to face Aleksandar Rakic this Saturday in a No. 1 contender fight at UFC Vegas 54. He’s looking to get back to the title fight after losing his belt to Glover Teixeira at UFC…

Continue Reading Jan Blachowicz Would Love To Fight Vladimir Putin: ‘Put Him In His Place’ at MMA News.

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz wants a shot at Russian President Vladimir Putin in a fight.

Blachowicz is set to face Aleksandar Rakic this Saturday in a No. 1 contender fight at UFC Vegas 54. He’s looking to get back to the title fight after losing his belt to Glover Teixeira at UFC 267.

Blachowicz has been following the Russian invasion of Ukraine with a keen eye, as his native Poland shares a border with the invaded country. Members of his family have taken in Ukrainian refugees who are fleeing the warzone.

During a recent interview with the New York Post, Blachowicz was asked what would be his dream matchup in a fight with any opponent of his choosing.

“[Vladimir] Putin. I would show him what [the] whole world wants to show him, where is his place,” Blachowicz replied.

Blachowicz has been critical of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, along with many other UFC fighters. He recently got into a bit of a Twitter spat with middleweight Sean Strickland over the crisis.

While it’s highly unlikely we’ll ever see Blachowicz and Putin go toe-to-toe in a fight environment, it’s clear where Blachowicz stands on the Ukrainian invasion.

Would you like to see Jan Blachowicz fight Vladimir Putin?

Continue Reading Jan Blachowicz Would Love To Fight Vladimir Putin: ‘Put Him In His Place’ at MMA News.