Tag: Jan Blachowicz

Jan Blachowicz vs. Carlos Ulberg: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC London fight

Carlos Ulberg is a favorite to pass the biggest test of his career at UFC Fight Night 255.

[autotag]Carlos Ulberg[/autotag] will look to emerge as a title contender when he takes on a former champion at UFC Fight Night 255.

Jan Blachowicz vs. Carlos Ulberg preview

[autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] (29-10-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC) hasn’t competed since a split decision loss to current UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in July 2023. Prior to that, he battled Magomed Ankalaev to a split draw in their vacant title fight at UFC 282.

Since losing his UFC debut, City Kickboxing’s Ulberg (12-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) has won seven straight, most recently a unanimous decision over former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir at UFC Fight Night 248.

Jan Blachowicz vs. Carlos Ulberg odds

According to DraftKings, Ulberg is a moderate -205 favorite over Blachowicz, who’s listed as a +170 underdog.

How to watch Jan Blachowicz vs. Carlos Ulberg at UFC Fight Night 255

  • When: Saturday, March 22, 2025
  • Where: O2 Arena, London, England
  • Broadcast/streaming: ESPN+

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 255.

Jan Blachowicz points to main focus before UFC London return vs. Carlos Ulberg

If Jan Blachowicz can manage his cardio, he’s confident he has all the tools to beat Carlos Ulberg at UFC London.

If [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] can manage his energy, he’s confident he has all the tools to beat [autotag]Carlos Ulberg[/autotag] at UFC London.

Former champion Blachowicz (29-10-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC) returns against Ulberg (12-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) on March 22 at UFC Fight Night 255 from O2 Arena in London.

Blachowicz hasn’t competed since a split decision loss to current UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in July 2023. The fight took place in Salt Lake City, and Blachowicz says his performance was impacted by the high altitude – and that’s something he’s focused on fixing for this training camp.

“Now it’s a secret, but I need to change something,” Blachowicz told “Home of Fight” of his training camp. “Because (I’m) 42 almost, so I need to train in a little bit different way, but we are going to do similar things. I know how to beat people. I know how to fight. I have to focus about the most – I don’t want to be tired in the fight.

“So I have to focus about the cardio. I have got everything. I’ve got knockout punch power, I’ve got good striking, I’ve got good wrestling, I’ve got good jiu-jitsu game. I need to focus about the cardio because last time with Pereira, my breath was very heavy, and I don’t want to do this mistake anymore.”

With a win over streaking contender Ulberg, Blachowicz plans on calling for a title shot.

“He’s a standup fighter. I am standup fighter,” Blachowicz said of Ulberg. “But you know, if I’m going to have to use my wrestling, I will go and do it. It’s MMA, but I like fighting standup, so for sure people are going to see a lot of punches.

“He’s a very good fighter, good left hand, good footwork. I’m excited. Seven wins in a row, amazing. It’s time to stop him. … I think if I win this fight in a good way, anywa I will start talking only about the title shot, nothing else.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 255.

Jan Blachowicz: Magomed Ankalaev’s current style not good enough to beat Alex Pereira

Jan Blachowicz thinks Magomed Ankalaev needs to make a big change to dethrone UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

[autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] thinks [autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag] needs to make a big change to dethrone UFC light heavyweight champion [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag].

Ankalaev (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) is touted to be the next title challenger for Pereira, although nothing has been announced. Blachowicz (29-10-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC), who battled Ankalaev to a split draw at UFC 282, was critical of Ankalaev’s performance against Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308.

Although Ankalaev won the fight, former champion Blachowicz thought he looked tentative. He thinks Ankalaev will need to show more of a sense of urgency if he wants to beat Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC).

“If Ankalaev will fight like last fight with Rakic, he’s going to lose the fight,” Blachowicz said in an interview with “Home of Fight.” “He needs to do something more. … He is a good fighter, but it’s not enough for Pereira in this kind of style. He needs to change.

“He needs to be more – he has to believe in what he’s doing. I think he doesn’t believe. He just wants to win the fight, but don’t take too much punches. He is very careful in this what he’s doing, and I think this kind of way, fighting with Pereira, will not work.”

Ankalaev promised to knock out Pereira, and said he doesn’t need to resort to his grappling to take out “Poatan.” However, Blachowicz isn’t entirely sold on his bold prediction.

“He said the same before Rakic that we’re going to see a new Ankalaev, but everybody saw that this fight was very boring,” Blachowicz said. “I almost go to sleep, so maybe he will start saying the same and then he will fight again very boring style. … Three fights ago, I would have picked Ankalaev, but now Pereira.”

Blachowicz hasn’t competed since a split decision loss to Pereira in July 2023. He returns against rising contender Carlos Ulberg March 22 at UFC Fight Night 255 in London.

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Former UFC champ Jan Blachowicz returns vs. Carlos Ulberg in London

Jan Blachowicz has been out since 2023 due to a shoulder injury, but he returns in a big fight at UFC London.

A big fight in the UFC light heavyweight division is headed to London.

Former champion [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] returns from a near-two-year layoff as he battles [autotag]Carlos Ulberg[/autotag] at UFC Fight Night 255. Promotion officials announced the bout Tuesday. The event takes place March 22 at O2 Arena.

Blachowicz (29-10-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC) has not competed since a loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 291 in July 2023. The bout was Pereira’s first at 205 in the UFC, and was a closely contested split decision win for “Poatan.” Blachowicz was supposed to compete at UFC 297 in January vs. Aleksandar Rakic, but withdrew due to a shoulder injury that required surgery.

Ulberg (12-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) competed less than three weeks ago at UFC Fight Night 248. He defeated Volkan Oezdemir by unanimous decision, which extended his winning streak to seven. Ulberg has not lost since his UFC debut, which was a TKO defeat to Kennedy Nzechukwu.

In addition to the light heavyweight contender fight, promotion officials also announced Tuesday a heavyweight bout between ranked fighters [autotag]Mick Parkin[/autotag] (10-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) and [autotag]Marcin Tybura[/autotag] (26-9 MMA, 13-8 UFC).

With the addition, the UFC Fight Night 255 lineup includes:

  • Jan Blachowicz vs. Carlos Ulberg
  • Mick Parkin vs. Marcin Tybura
  • Shauna Bannon vs. Puja Tomar
  • Christian Leroy Duncan vs. Andrey Pulayev

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 255.

Ex-UFC champ Jan Blachowicz advises Israel Adesanya against trying light heavyweight again

Jan Blachowicz advises Israel Adesanya against a move back up to light heavyweight.

[autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] advises [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] against a move back up to light heavyweight.

Adesanya (24-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) finds himself in a quandary after losing to middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis by submission in their title fight Saturday at UFC 305 in Perth.

Blachowicz was surprised by Du Plessis’ performance, dubbing his style as awkward.

“It was a very good fight,” Blachowicz told Middle Easy. “I didn’t expect that. I thought Izzy was going to win, but Dricus is tough. He has a very weird style. I don’t know how to say it, very tough, weird style of MMA, but it’s working. He knows what to do, how to fight, and he just uses his style very good. Congratulations to him.”

Adesanya has now lost three of his past four and is unsure what’s next. With not too many lucrative names left for him at middleweight, Blachowicz was asked what he thought of Adesanya moving up to light heavyweight, but he wasn’t fond of the idea.

That’s because Blachowicz welcomed Adesanya to 205 pounds when he was champion, and was able to shut down his dual-champion pursuit when he defeated him by unanimous decision at UFC 259.

“I think he should stay at 185 and do something, but we’ll see what’s going to be his decision,” Blachowicz said. “I’m not in his head. I don’t know what he’s going to do right now. We we’ll see. Maybe he’ll move to 205, but I don’t think so. It’s going to be much harder for him than at 185.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 305.

Jan Blachowicz baffled by Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree fight: ‘Why they don’t ask me about this?’

Jan Blachowicz believes the UFC is giving Alex Pereira preferential treatment, and he’s not OK with it.

[autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] believes the UFC is giving [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] preferential treatment.

Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) defends his light heavyweight title against [autotag]Khalil Rountree[/autotag] (13-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC)  in the UFC 307 main event Oct. 5 in Salt Lake City, a fight announcement that caught many off guard.

Blachowicz (29-10-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC), who arguably gave Pereira his toughest test at 205 pounds when he lost a split decision at UFC 291, wants to know why he wasn’t approached as a potential opponent for “Poatan.” He also can’t understand why Magomed Ankalaev didn’t get the call and was instead booked against Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308.

“No f*cking idea,” Blachowicz told Middle Easy. “I don’t know. You tell me because I’m confused. What the f*ck, you know? Why they book Ankalaev with Rakic? Why? Why they don’t ask me about this?

“Maybe I would be ready a little bit earlier. No one asked me. I just don’t understand. For me, it’s weird, and that don’t make any sense for me. I feel like special protection for Pereira. I don’t understand. Why?”

Blachowicz was the one who welcomed Pereira to the light heavyweight division – a fight he’s still adamant he won. He thinks the UFC is tactically picking strikers for Pereira so he can shine.

“I believe that I won this fight against him, and maybe they don’t want to make this fight again because they know that this time, he’s going to lose for 100 percent,” Blachowicz said. “Maybe also that’s why they don’t want to give Ankalaev to him because Ankalaev is also very strong. Maybe this is the reason, that Khalil is a striker and maybe they want to make another nice win for him. Easy, maybe not easy, but another knockout win, something like this.

“I just don’t understand. … If they want big name, I think they can make Ankalaev with Pereira right now. I think Ankalaev will be ready also for another UFC in Abu Dhabi. I think they know everything, what they want to do. They just want to do this, and they did. They’ve got something in their head like, one year into the future, something like this. So, I think they already know what they want to do.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

Volkan Oezdemir explains callouts of Jan Blachowicz, Jamahal Hill after UFC on ABC 6 knockout

Volkan Oezdemir has two top contenders in mind after his brutal knockout win at UFC on ABC 6.

[autotag]Volkan Oezdemir[/autotag] has two top contenders in mind after his brutal knockout win at UFC on ABC 6.

Oezdemir (20-7 MMA, 8-6 UFC) scored a first-round knockout of Johnny Walker (21-9 MMA, 7-6 UFC) in Saturday’s main card opener at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “No Time” has now won three of his past four fights.

The former title challenger called out [autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) and [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] (29-10-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC) in his post-fight octagon interview.

“To just climb the ranks,” Oezdemir explained to reporters at the UFC on ABC 6 post-fight press conference. “Blachowicz is going to be a fight for the crown of Europe. It’s going to be the top fight for the European fighters, so that’s a fight I want to do. And Jamahal Hill, I want that fight, as well. My goal is to climb the ranks, take over the division. I’m back. ‘No Time’ is back. This is my time now, and I’m here to showcase this.”

With Hill currently healing from a knee injury and Blachowicz from shoulder surgery, Oezdemir isn’t sure if he’ll be able to get those fights anytime soon – especially that he’s targeting a September return in Paris.

“Both are injured right now, so I don’t know really what’s going to happen with this,” Oezdemir said. “I know I want to have a quick turnaround because I’m eyeing Paris. I want to fight in France again. France is also my home crowd, so I would love to be there again end of September.

“I’m going to have my wedding now in three weeks, so, guys, I’m waiting for the 50K. I’m waiting for the 50K so I can have a great, great wedding. I’ll have a big party and enjoy that a little bit before turning around for the fight in Paris.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 6.

Unfortunate circumstances: 15 unforeseen injuries that ended UFC main events

Injuries are part of the game in MMA, but there’s nothing worse than one ends a marquee UFC fight.

While the term “freak injury” might not be appropriate to use when discussing a sport that is inherently dangerous, 14 UFC main events have ended in unforeseen injuries – broken legs, separated shoulders, eye pokes, etc. – that don’t typically come in the sequence of MMA combat.

Scroll below to see a chronology of UFC main events that ended in that nature.

Note: Injuries sustained on a TKO due to strikes or tapout due to a submission are not included, nor are retirements on the stool due to extended fight damage or exhaustion. Laceration-based stoppages also are not included since they come as an intentional result of the opposition’s attack.

Jan Blachowicz welcomes Kamaru Usman challenge ‘if you still feel the same about it’

Kamaru Usman and Jan Blachowicz are no longer UFC champions, but that hasn’t fizzled their interest in a potential matchup.

[autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] is still steadfast in his belief he could’ve moved up two divisions to light heavyweight when he was still welterweight champion and defeated the champion at the time.

Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) was written off as crazy several years ago when he faced off with then-light heavyweight titleholder [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] backstage at a UFC event and teased moving up 35 pounds in weight.

It never materialized, and both men eventually lost their championship belts. Usman most recently competed at middleweight for the first time with a narrow loss to Khamzat Chimaev in October, while Blachowicz (29-10-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC) is recovering from multiple surgeries in hopes of returning to the octagon this year.

Although the ship has seemingly sailed on the Usman vs. Blachowicz pairing, perhaps it’s not totally off the table. During a recent episode of his “Pound 4 Pound” podcast with co-host Henry Cejudo, former longtime UFC champ Usman explained why he felt so confident in calling out Blachowicz (via X):

“I wouldn’t have called for 205 if I didn’t think at that point that the style favoured me and I could do it,” Usman said. “Everybody’s got power when the fight starts, but you grab their leg and you drag him down, the fight completely changes. And that’s exactly what I was gonna do. Glover Teixeira did the exact same thing (to Blachowicz).”

Never afraid of a challenge, Blachowicz took to social media and Saturday and let Usman know that if he’s still interested, the door is open for them to fight (via X):

“If you still feel the same about it let’s go,” Blachowicz wrote. “I will be ready.”

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Jan Blachowicz: Jon Jones ‘escaped to heavyweight because I was in my prime when he left’

Jon Jones is the fight that got away for Jan Blachowicz, but he hasn’t entirely lost hope.

[autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] is the fight that got away for [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag], but he hasn’t entirely lost hope.

One week after Jones retained his light heavyweight title against Dominick Reyes at UFC 247, he was in attendance to watch Blachowicz emerge as No. 1 contender by knocking out Corey Anderson. However, Jones would go on to relinquish his belt, leading to a vacant title fight between Blachowicz and Reyes at UFC 253. Blachowicz won, defended it against Israel Adesanya, but then lost it to Glover Teixeira at UFC 267.

Jones (27-1 MMA, 21-1 UFC) never returned to 205 pounds and it took him three years to return at heavyweight, where he quickly submitted Ciryl Gane to claim the vacant title at UFC 285. Blachowicz (29-10-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC) is currently recovering from double shoulder surgery, and sees a world where he can finally get his hands on Jones.

“Right now, I am heavyweight, so it’s easy to go to heavyweight,” Blachowicz said an interview with Fanatics View. “I would like to see him fight against (Tom) Aspinall and (Alex) Pereira and me. He escaped to heavyweight because I was in my prime when he left.

“He knew that if he meet me, he’s going to lose. That was his best decision, to go to heavyweight. He promised me this fight, so I hope so – some day, maybe. Maybe not in the gym – somewhere, in the backyard.”

Jones’ first order of business is rebooking his previously scrapped bout with Stipe Miocic. Interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall awaits, and Jones also expressed interest in light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.

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