Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz returns to the Octagon at UFC 282 against No. 3 ranked contend Magomed Ankalaev.
Over the summer, all signs appeared to point towards a light heavyweight title showdown between new champion Jiri Prochazka and former titleholder Jan Blachowicz. Those plans quickly changed when Prochazka revealed that he opted to run back his fight-of-the-year contender with Glover Teixeira from UFC 275.
Those two light heavyweight matchups will take place on the same night, leading to speculation that Blachowicz could be positioned as the official replacement should anything happen to one of the two scheduled main eventers. Despite rumors, Blachowicz confirmed that he is not nor has he been approached to be the backup for UFC 282’s light heavyweight main event while speaking to James Lynch in a Middle Easy exclusive interview.
“No. No backup. I’m not backup. Nobody tell me. I don’t know about Akalaev, but I’m not back. I believe… I know that after this fight, I will be next contender for a title shot.”
With a win over Magomed Akalaev, Jan Blachowicz will undoubtedly be the next challenger for the light heavyweight title. Though the UFC has not confirmed the bout is a title eliminator, ‘Polish Power’ believes no other fight would make sense.
“I just know that. They don’t have to tell me. It’s like, you know, I don’t see different fight. Different fighters who can be your next contender after our fight. Glover and Prochazka will fight on the same card so it will be perfect, you know. In the green room with the cake and my next opponent.”
Jan Blachowicz is Ready to Step into the UFC 282 Main Event Should He Get the Call
While Jan Blachowicz is not an official backup for the light heavyweight rematch between Jiri Prochazka and Glover Teixeira, he is more than willing to step into the five-round showcase and reclaim UFC gold should the opportunity present itself.
“Why not, you know? Title’s the title. It’s always the most important thing. I’ve been in camp anyway so either way I’m going to be ready. This is a three round fight, but I’m gonna be ready for five rounds if something happened. No problem.”
Asked who he believes will walk out of T-Mobile Arena the UFC light heavyweight champion on December 10th, Blachowicz is backing the man that defeated him for the title just over a year ago.
“For me, before the first fight it’s 50/50. If Glover don’t do so many mistakes [like] when he was doing first fight, he’s gonna win the fight.”
