[autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] has issued a warning to UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
The newly crowned UFC light heavyweight champion wants it to be known: Adesanya has no business in the 205-pound division.
Blachowicz (27-8 MMA, 10-5 UFC) thinks many people are underestimating how tough of a jump from 185 to 205 pounds is. In his mind, Adesanya (20-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) would have a tough time at light heavyweight, especially against him.
“He can try, but he’s going to go back to his division really fast if he’s gonna do this,” Blachowicz told Submission Radio. “When he meets me, it’s gonna be the same, like against Rockhold.”
Blachowicz, 37, won the vacant UFC light heavyweight title in September when de stopped Dominick Reyes with punches in the second round of their co-main event contest at UFC 253.
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Blachowicz is no stranger to defeating decorated middleweights trying their luck a weight class above. He hold wins over ‘Jacare’ Souza and former UFC champ Luke Rockhold.
The Polish competitor thinks there’s a big difference fighting at 205-pounds.
“Because (at) 205, even when you train in the gym with the bigger guys, it’s training,” Blachowicz said. “It’s completely different. When you go and you change your division and he goes to 205, you’re gonna feel different power, different cardio, (and) different timing. Everything is different.
“That’s going to be the most hard and new for him. That’s gonna be something that I (did) all my life. (I’ve been) all my life (at) 205, so it’s normal for me. For him, it’s going to be something that’s going to be be confusing for him.”
Blachowicz thinks there is one way Adesanya can have success at light heavyweight.
“There is a UFC game on Playstation,” Blachowicz said. “So, if he chooses me in this game, then he’s gonna be the best in the 205 division. But not in real life. No way.”
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