Jan Blachowicz is open to rematching Israel Adesanya, so long as it’s for the middleweight title.
Earlier this month, Adesanya defended his belt for the fifth time, winning a lackluster decision over Jared Cannonier at UFC 276. The win earned Adesanya a lot of criticism for his defensively-minded approach, particularly after promising to deliver a spectacular performance, and had some people arguing that Adesanya’s loss to Jan Blachowicz at UFC 259, during a failed attempt to move up and claim the light heavyweight title, has caused “The Last Stylebender” to become totally risk averse, to the detriment of entertainment. Fortunately, Blachowicz has a solution to the problem: they run the fight back, this time at 185 pounds.
“Maybe this is the reason that now he will be very careful in the fights to not make any mistakes,” Blachowicz told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. Just don’t lose this fight. Maybe I have to cut the weight and give him rematch in his category.
” If I have the chance to win, why not? Izzy, his belt and the chance to win it. I can try.”
Blachowicz, a career heavyweight who has never competed in MMA outside of the weight class, is a joker. But the UFC former light heavyweight champion insists that he is serious.
“I don’t remember [the lightest I’ve been as an MMA fighter] but when I was a fighter in Muay Thai, it was 91 kilos or [200 pounds],” Blachowicz said. “For a title, I can sacrifice myself a little bit. Why not? I will do it.”
Blachowicz made these comments after recently being in a “state of limbo” for the light heavyweight division. Blachowicz defeated Aleksandar Rakic in May, winning when Rakic suffered a knee injury, and appeared to be in line for the first crack at newly crowned light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka, but earlier this week “Denisa” stated he wants a rematch with Glover Teixeira next, leaving Blachowicz out in the cold. And if neither Prochazka or Adesanya wants the smoke, well, Blachowicz is also willing to entertain a fight with welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, after the two shared a face off backstage at UFC 276.
“He is big so who knows.” Blachowicz stated. Blachowicz stated, “If he wishes to do so. If not Jiri, why not him?”
With two of his “Three Kings”, Blachowicz now has to ask: How long will it take for Blachowicz to target Francis Ngannou, heavyweight champion? Blachowicz has already stated that he will be moving up to heavyweight within the next few years. A callout to Francis Ngannou is not far away.
TOP STORIES
Salt. Nate Diaz blasts Khabib Nurmagomedov’s title reign, Hall of Fame induction.
Beef. Alex Pereira on Israel Adesanya’s UFC 276 post-fight comments: ‘Ask him if he was impressed when I knocked him out’.
Samurai Code. Jan Blachowicz: Jiri Prochazka calls for Glover Teixeira Rematch: “He will say anything to protect himself.”
Goals. Miesha Tate: Julianna Pena took out Amanda Nunes, now ‘I want to take out the other GOAT’ Valentina Shevchenko.
Shock. Brian Ortega still shocked Alexander Volkanovski escaped his submissions: ‘How in the f*** did this man get out of that choke?’.
Rankings. The MMA Fighting Global Rankings has seen major changes in the middleweight and lightweight divisions.
VIDEO STEW
The MMA Hour.
UFC 276: The Thrill and the Agony preview.
Yair Rodriguez bonus resume.
Top finishes by UFC Long Island fighters.
Kimbo Slice: The best moments of mic.
Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili sparring.
LISTEN UP
Rankings. Discussing the latest changes to the MMA Fighting Global Rankings.
No Bets Barred. Discussing the best bets for UFC Long Island.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Beefing prior to UFC London.
See you in London Charles Johnson
8 days to go! #TeamMokaev #UFC pic.twitter.com/uLBVwzDyjP— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) July 13, 2022
You posing with a gun, that shit won’t be there when u see me kid @muhammadmokaev Im from the Lou, done been around real shootouts and seen real hitters my whole life. Keep that same energy @ufc @MMAWeeklycom @bisping @arielhelwani pic.twitter.com/CVI5VemKjU
— Charles “InnerG” Johnson (@InnerGmma) July 14, 2022
I born in Dagestan and grew up in Manchester these 2 places can’t be compared to your Lou or whatever
Don’t get too emotional about this picture you getting smashed Saturday night, I’ve gone past 30 guys like you and you ain’t different to rest of them! https://t.co/zRjWn2mShR— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) July 14, 2022
I’m really from that shit. You been groomed since u was 12 to play in a cage where a ref can save you if shit get outta control. This how i know you and yo team goofies. Gunplay isn’t funny. Real ones would never
Keep that same energy when u see me kid @muhammadmokaev pic.twitter.com/GtwI0agilK
— Charles “InnerG” Johnson (@InnerGmma) July 14, 2022
Still crying , ffs
Googling images, chill out bro! https://t.co/LeYk04FVLZ— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) July 14, 2022
Tate looking lean before her debut at flyweight.
Looking ripped and feeling strong
And still eating good pic.twitter.com/YW0VAZM6k3
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) July 14, 2022
Sure. Why not?
I’m the worst style matchup for khamzat and usman and ufc knows that …them two are obviously the biggest money fight together so they couldn’t risk me beating either one yet but soon I’ll be undeniable
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 13, 2022
Jan’s hit list.
3 Kings reunited in Vegas #3Kings pic.twitter.com/EaVfxDv5yJ
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) July 13, 2022
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ji Yeon Kim (9-5-2) vs. Joselyne Edwards (11-4); UFC 277, July 30.
Alatengheli (15-8-2) vs. Chad Anheliger (12-5); UFC 279, Sep. 10.
Anthony Hernandez (9-2, 1 NC) vs. Marc-Andre Barriault (14-5, 1 NC); UFC Fight Night, Sep. 17.
Sam Hughes (7-4) vs. Piera Rodriguez (8-0); UFC Fight Night, Oct. 15.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thanks for reading! We will see you tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
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