Blachowicz legitimizes the reign of the light heavyweight

PAY RESPECT TO MY NAME.#LegendaryPolishPower # UFC259 #And yet pic.twitter.com/kXJ8l0zyy6

– Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz) March 7, 2021

The effects of Jan Blachowicz unanimous decision victory over the previously undefeated Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC 259 in Las Vegas are powerful for the sport of MMA.

First of all, they have fully legitimized the reign of the title of “The Polish Hammer”. Blachowicz picked up the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship with an early second-round TKO of Dominick Reyes in their previous fight after promotion chairman Dana White removed the belt from Jon Jones.

Nigerian-born New Zealand cage fighter Adesanya was 20-0 and aspired to become a two-weight champion by entering the fight as the clear favorite. However, “The Last Stylebender” lost more than his undefeated record in the loss to Blachowicz, as he also seems to have ended the prospect of facing Jones in a big grudge fight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X66nSZFx7lY

White had wanted promote a fight between them later this year. After Adesanya’s first beating in MMA, the UFC boss said: “He’s the middleweight champion, he doesn’t get the light heavyweight title and he doesn’t fight Jon Jones. It never hurts someone to think big and try to be great. Gave it a try [against Blachowicz], it didn’t happen. “

Daniel Cormier, someone who knows a thing or two about winning multiple titles in the main MMA promotion, highlighted the size of the challenge Adesanya took on. “It shows how difficult it is to move up the weight class to try to become a double champion,” he said.

“Israel Adesanya is one of the best fighters in the world, and Jan Blachowicz showed that the 20-pound difference and the skill set he has is just too hard to beat. Great job from the champion, a guy who has been wanting, learning and living to get the respect he deserves. He will finally get it after beating one of the best fighters in the world pound for pound. “

Blachowicz will undoubtedly be more appreciated by bettors, who had him as the underdog this time, but it seems certain that he will be the favorite when the odds of MMA for your next UFC fight, get out. Brazilian veteran Glover Teixeira, the number one contender in the light heavyweight division, should be next for the Polish fighter.

In just over three years since joining the UFC, Israel Adesanya:

🏆 Captured the middleweight title
📈 Build a streak of nine consecutive victories
🏆 Challenged by light heavyweight gold

History eluded him in # UFC259but the future is still bright for the middleweight king 👑 pic.twitter.com/ll8m2rMbbR

– ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 7, 2021

Things are much less clear as to where Adesanya goes from here. The top two contenders for the UFC middleweight belt, Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa, are both fighters he has stopped two rounds before in recent fights.

It’s hard to argue that Jared Cannonier, next in line according to rankings, he should have a shot at the belt after losing four of his last eight MMA bouts to Teixeira, Blachowicz, Reyes and Whittaker in that order. The number four contender, Darren Till, also has three losses in his previous four fights.

Faced with a middleweight division that lacks credible rivals, it seems like Adesanya shouldn’t have too much trouble getting his career back on track after this first major setback. Definitely breaking his undefeated streak has been Blachowicz’s brainchild.