Jan Blachowicz wants a shot at Israel Adesanya and the middleweight belt.
Fresh off of his UFC 287 victory, Israel Adesanya is already the target of several callouts. He is once again holding the middleweight strap and is the focus of fighters from his divisions and beyond. Among those calling for a shot at his title is former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz. This call out has come as a shock to many since Blachowicz has never expressed interest in dropping down to 185 pounds before. However, now he is looking to run things back with his former foe.
Blachowicz welcomed Adesanya to the light heavyweight division back in 2021 when he was the champ there. Now he wants Adesanya to do the same.
Congratulations on a successful rematch, @stylebender. If you want to try another one, you know where to find me. This time at middleweight for your belt. #UFC287
— Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz) April 9, 2023
Jan Blachowicz is prepared to cut down to middleweight for a shot at the title
In his last two bouts since losing the light heavyweight title, Blachowicz has won against Aleksandar Rakić and was involved in a draw in his last title shot against Magomed Ankalaev. He is now looking for a new path to UFC gold by cutting from 205 pounds to 185 pounds. He made his initial call to Adesanya on Twitter but followed up on his intentions while speaking to Petesy Carroll on YouTube.
“People need to believe a little bit more in me,” he said of cutting the weight. “And if UFC would like to make this fight, I will do it no problem. I know how to do it. That will be great motivation for me, a big motivation, you know, to beat him another one, you know, another one times, so yeah, why not? I’m ready to do that.”
Blachowicz explained that he has never fought at such a low weight in his professional career, but is confident that he can make the limit of 185 pounds. He expresses that he would not say so if he did not believe it was possible.
“I find a way how to do it. And then of course, how to do it and feel, be in very good shape in the fight,” he said. “If I will be not I will not say that. But of course, I need a little bit more time. They have to give me, you know, like three-four months. Yes. 205 is easy for me. Three weeks like this, you know, but 84, yeah, three months. For sure.”
In the first meeting between Blachowicz and Adesanya, it was contested at 205 pounds. Blachowicz was able to combat Adesanya for five rounds to earn the unanimous decision victory. Blachowicz knows he would have to change up his game plan for a second bout but believe he would still be able to get the job done.
