Tag: Jan Blachowicz

UFC on ESPN+ 22 medical suspensions: Jan Blachowicz, two others facing six-month suspensions

Jan Blachowicz and two others are looking at hefty medical suspensions after UFC Sao Paulo.

Three fighters, including headliner [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag], are looking at hefty medical suspensions after UFC on ESPN+ 22.

Blachowicz, who appeared to injure his left foot in his five-round victory over Ronaldo Souza, will need to get clearance on both feet in order to return to in-cage competition. Blachowicz is tentatively suspended 180 days, with a minimum of 30 days and no contact for 21 days.

[autotag]Sergio Moraes[/autotag] and [autotag]Jared Gordon[/autotag], the lone fighters to suffer knockout losses on the card, are facing similar suspensions. Moraes, who suffered a third-round knockout loss to James Krause, will be suspended 180 days or until he’s cleared by a neurologist.

Gordon, who was brutally finished early in the first round by Charles Oliveira, was suspended 180 days or until he’s cleared by a otolaryngologist (ENT).

[lawrence-related id=463774,463767]

Check out the full list of UFC on ESPN+ 22 medical suspensions, per a CABMMA record acquired by MMA Fighting.

  • Jan Blachowicz: Suspended 180 days or until x-rays of both feet are cleared by physician; also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Paul Craig[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • Jared Gordon: Suspended 180 days or until cleared by otolaryngologist; also suspended 60 days with no contact for 45 days.
  • [autotag]Andre Muniz[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Antonio Arroyo[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Wellington Turman[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Markus Perez[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]James Krause[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • Sergio Moraes: Suspended 180 days or until cleared by neurologist; also suspended 60 days with with no contact for 45 days.
  • [autotag]Ricardo Ramos[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Eduardo Garagorri[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Francisco Trinaldo[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Randy Brown[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Warlley Alves[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Douglas de Andrade[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Renan Barao[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
  • [autotag]Ariane Lipski[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Isabella de Padua[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Tracy Cortez[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.
  • [autotag]Vanessa Melo[/autotag]: Suspended 14 days with no contact for seven days.

[vertical-gallery id=463676]

[vertical-gallery id=463597]:

Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Jan Blachowicz and UFC on ESPN+ 22’s other key winners?

See whom Jan Blachowicz should fight next after his victory over Ronaldo Souza at UFC on ESPN+ 22.

(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for ‘Jacare’ Souza after UFC on ESPN+ 22 loss?)

After every event, fans wonder whom the winners will be matched up with next.

And with another night of UFC action in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look forward, put on a pair of Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard’s shoes, and play UFC matchmaker for UFC on ESPN+ 22’s most noteworthy winning fighters.

Those winners include [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] (25-8 MMA, 8-5 UFC), who defeated Ronaldo Souza (26-8 MMA, 9-5 UFC) by split decision in the light heavyweight headliner at Ginasio do Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo, as well as [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] (28-8 MMA, 16-8 UFC), [autotag]James Krause[/autotag] (27-7 MMA, 8-3 UFC) and [autotag]Francisco Trinaldo[/autotag] (24-7 MMA, 14-6 UFC),

* * * *

Francisco Trinaldo

[vertical-gallery id=439776]
Should fight: [autotag]Diego Ferreira[/autotag]
Why they should fight: He had to work hard for it, but Trinaldo earned his 14th octagon victory when he edged Bobby Green by unanimous decision in their lightweight bout.

At 41, Trinaldo proved he’s still a force to be reckoned with at 155. He clearly wants to prove as much judging by his post-fight callout, which was directed at perennial contender Edson Barboza. He may not get that fight next, but the Brazilian is certainly deserving of another noteworthy matchup at 155 pounds.

Ferreira (16-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) has been on a roll of late, winning his past five fights against some solid opponents. The Fortis MMA product is looking to prove he belongs in the upper echelon of the weight class, as well, and beating someone like Trinaldo to extend his winning streak would be a statement. And if Trinaldo were to win, he would take all Ferreira’s momentum for himself.

James Krause

[vertical-gallery id=370216]
Should fight: [autotag]Gunnar Nelson[/autotag]
Why they should fight: Krause continued to shine in the welterweight division when he put on a clinic against Sergio Moraes that ended with a knockout in the final minute of the third round.

Krause is now riding a six-fight winning streak (including 4-0 at welterweight) and appears to be clicking both mentally and physically. He needs a bigger challenge going forward to see where he really stands, and Nelson (17-5-1 MMA, 8-5 UFC) is an opponent who could test Krause’s value at 170 pounds.

Nelson may be on a two-fight skid and not in the best place in his career, but he’s been a constant in the top 20 of the division for several years. He needs to display that he still deserves that status, and halting Krause’s streak would help send that message.

Charles Oliveira

[vertical-gallery id=309432]
Should fight: [autotag]Al Iaquinta[/autotag]
Why they should fight: The best run of Oliveira’s UFC tenure continued with a brilliant first-round knockout of Jared Gordon that extended the Brazilian’s winning streak to six fights – all of which have come by stoppage.

Oliveira is firing on all cylinders at the moment and at 30, is in the sharpest form of his career. His stoppage of Gordon was his 15th in UFC competition, which trails the all-time record by just one. Oliveira said prior to being booked against Gordon that he wanted a steeper test, but it didn’t materialize this time around.

“Do Bronx” tried to take matters into his own hands by issuing a post-fight callout of Conor McGregor and Paul Felder (who handed him his last loss), but neither of those seemed to register as particularly realistic at the moment (especially McGregor).

What is realistic, though, is that Oliveira could and should get a top-10 opponent at 155 pounds. Iaquinta (14-6-1 MMA, 9-5 UFC) has been in one of those spots for much of the past severals years, and in terms of opponent, he should have everything Oliveira is looking for to take him one step closer to title contention.

Jan Blachowicz


Should fight: [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag]
Why they should fight: Watch the video above to see why Blachowicz should rematch Anderson (13-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) next after his main event win.

6 biggest takeaways from UFC on ESPN+ 22: ‘Jacare’s’ future, Rua vs. Craig scoring and more

Thoughts and analysis of the biggest storylines coming out of UFC on ESPN+ 22, which took place Saturday in Sao Paulo.

What mattered most at UFC on ESPN+ 22 in Sao Paulo? Here are a few post-fight musings …

* * * * *

1. Jan Blachowicz is good, but not the guy

No disrespect to [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] (25-8 MMA, 8-5 UFC), but it’s hard to imagine anyone who spent 30 minutes of their Saturday night watching that underwhelming split decision win over Ronaldo Souza in the main event is now clamoring to see the Polish fighter challenge Jon Jones for the light heavyweight title.

Not only did Blachowicz fail to produce the emphatic finish that fellow contenders Dominick Reyes and Corey Anderson delivered in their most recent wins, but he hardly had any memorable moments against “Jacare.” It was a grinding 25-minute affair, and not much happened that could serve as evidence he would stand a chance against Jones.

If Blachowicz ends up with a title shot – be it after this win or the next one – it will almost certainly be by default because there isn’t a more compelling matchup. It would be a huge moment for his career to reach that height, of course, but there’s no way that performance against Souza elevated the perception he can be champion while “Bones” is running the block.

[vertical-gallery id=463676]

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6

UFC on ESPN+ 22 post-event facts: Charles Oliveira enhances status as all-time great finisher

All the notable stats and figures to come out of UFC on ESPN+ 22, which took place in Sao Paulo, and saw Jan Blachowicz beat Ronaldo Souza.

The UFC made its final stop in Brazil this year on Saturday with UFC on ESPN+ 22, which went down at Ginasio do Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo with a 12-fight card that streamed entirely on ESPN+.

[autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] (25-8 MMA, 8-5 UFC) continued to build momentum as a light heavyweight contender in the main event when he entered enemy territory and defeated Brazil’s own [autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag] (26-8 MMA, 9-5 UFC) by split decision.

For more on the numbers behind the main event, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 40 post-event facts to come out of UFC on ESPN+ 22.

* * * *

General

[vertical-gallery id=463472]

The UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payout for the event totaled $192,000.

Debuting fighters went 2-2 at the event.

[autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag], [autotag]James Krause[/autotag], [autotag]Ricardo Ramos[/autotag] and [autotag]Randy Brown[/autotag] earned $50,000 UFC on ESPN+ 22 fight-night bonuses.

UFC on ESPN+ 22 drew an announced attendance of 10,344. No live gate was reveled for the card.

Betting favorites went 10-1 on the card. One fight ended in a draw.

Betting favorites improved to 20-17 (one fight had even odds, one ended in a no contest) in UFC headliners this year.

Total fight time for the 12-bout card was 2:36:04.

Main card

[vertical-gallery id=463676]

Blachowicz improved to 6-1 in his past seven UFC appearances dating back to October 2017. The only defeat in that stretch came to Thiago Santos.

Blachowicz has earned four of his eight UFC victories by decision.

Souza suffered consecutive losses for the first time in his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since November 2018.

Souza was unsuccessful in his light heavyweight debut.

Souza has suffered four of his five UFC losses by decision.

[autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag] (26-11-1 MMA, 10-9-1 UFC) vs. [autotag]Paul Craig[/autotag] (12-4-1 MMA, 4-5-1 UFC) ended in the third split draw UFC result of 2019.

[vertical-gallery id=463563]

Oliveira (28-8 MMA, 16-8 UFC) improved to 7-1 since he returned to the UFC lightweight division April 2017. He’s 9-3 (with one no contest) in the organization at 155 pounds.

Oliveira’s six-fight UFC winning streak at lightweight is tied for the third longest active streak in the division behind Tony Ferguson (12) and Khabib Nurmagomedov (11).

Oliveira’s six-fight UFC stoppage streak is the longest active streak in the company.

Oliveira’s 15 stoppage victories in UFC competition are second most in company history behind Donald Cerrone (16).

Oliveira has been awarded 15 fight-night bonuses for UFC bouts, the tied with Nate Diaz and Joe Lauzon for second most in company history behind Cerrone (18).

Oliveira has been awarded nine “Performance of the Night” bonuses, the most in company history.

[autotag]Jared Gordon[/autotag] (15-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC) fell to 1-3 in his past four fights dating back to February 2014.

Gordon has suffered all four of his career losses by knockout.

[vertical-gallery id=463541]

[autotag]Andre Muniz[/autotag] (19-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC) improved to 13-1 in his past 14 fights dating back to February 2014.

[autotag]Antonio Arroyo[/autotag] (9-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC) suffered the first decision loss of his career.

[autotag]Markus Perez[/autotag] (11-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC) has alternated wins and losses over his past six fights.

Perez has suffered all three of his career losses by decision.

Preliminary card

[vertical-gallery id=463461]

Krause (27-7 MMA, 8-3 UFC) extended his UFC winning streak to six. He hasn’t suffered an octagon defeat since February 2016.

Krause improved to 4-0 in the UFC when competing at welterweight.

[autotag]Sergio Moraes[/autotag]’ (14-6-1 MMA, 8-5-1 UFC) three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since September 2018.

Moraes has suffered all three of his career stoppage losses by knockout.

Krause landed a knockdown for the first time in his UFC career.

Ramos (14-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) was successful in his featherweight debut.

[autotag]Eduardo Garagorri[/autotag] (13-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) had his 13-fight winning streak snapped for the first defeat of his career.

[vertical-gallery id=463411]

[autotag]Francisco Trinaldo[/autotag]’s (24-7 MMA, 14-6 UFC) 12 UFC victories in Brazil are the most in company history.

[autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag] (24-10-1 MMA, 5-5-1 UFC) fell to 1-5 (with one no contest) in his past seven fights dating back to November 2014.

Green has suffered four of his five UFC losses by decision.

[autotag]Warlley Alves[/autotag] (13-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) suffered the first submission loss of his career.

[vertical-gallery id=463372]

[autotag]Douglas Silva de Andrade[/autotag] (26-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) was successful in his return to the UFC featherweight division.

De Andrade has earned three of his four UFC victories by decision.

[autotag]Renan Barao[/autotag]’s (34-9 MMA, 9-8 UFC) five-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since September 2016.

Barao fell to 2-8 in his past 10 fights after going on a 33-fight unbeaten streak that lasted more than nine years.

[autotag]Isabella de Padua[/autotag] (5-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) suffered the first decision loss of her career.

[autotag]Vanessa Melo[/autotag] (10-7 MMA, 0-2 UFC) has suffered six of her seven career losses by decision. That includes both of her UFC defeats.

UFC research analyst and live statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Follow him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.

‘Jacare’ Souza reveals pre-fight illness, not discouraged by loss to Jan Blachowicz

“I’m going to be strengthened by this.”

[autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag] was proud of his performance against [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] at UFC on ESPN+ 22 and believes he was wronged by the judges.

Souza (26-8 MMA, 9-5 UFC) suffered a split decision loss to Blachowicz (25-8 MMA, 8-5 UFC) in Saturday’s headliner from Ginasio do Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo. The fight marked his light heavyweight debut, and “Jacare” came just short of beating a top contender.

The Brazilian admitted post-fight that his 25-minute bout with Blachowicz was by no means entertaining, but given the adversity he apparently endured throughout training camp, Souza couldn’t be overly critical of his effort.

“I told the UFC I was coughing in a way that I can’t stop coughing, and this was 20 days ago,” Souza said through an interpreter. “We did a lot of exams and, first of all, I did treatment as if there was an allergy, and my doctor from Brazil here told (to do) a weird exam. … So 10 days ago was when I was diagnosed and on Monday was my last day taking antibiotics. I was going to give an interview, and when I did interviews I would start coughing and people would say, ‘What’s wrong?’ And I would say, ‘Nothing.’

“It didn’t get in my way. I was able to fight five rounds against a guy who was knocking everyone out in the light heavyweight division. I did my best to be here to fight. Unfortunately the victory didn’t come my way. It wasn’t a pretty fight. It wasn’t pretty for me, it wasn’t pretty for him, but I thought I won three rounds.”

[lawrence-related id=463240,463482]

The fight between Souza and Blachowicz was a battle of attrition. Much of it was spent with clinch work against the fence, and there were few memorable momentum swings over the course of five rounds.

Souza said he suffered a leg injury late in the fight, too, but still felt he did enough to win.

“I fought well against a top-level guy,” Souza said.” He was knocking everyone out. I was able to use my strength and put him against the fence. He said that. I wasn’t able to impose my game and take him down. I tried to stop to attack in the fourth round because he hurt my leg, so that got in my way.”

After seemingly hitting his ceiling as a middleweight, Souza moved up to 205 pounds in hopes of a fresh start. The fight didn’t go his way, leaving the 39-year-old sitting on back-to-back losses for the first time in his career.

Souza didn’t indicate this is the end for him, though. If anything, he appeared to have his spirits lifted due to the way he competed.

“I’m going to be strengthened by this,” Souza said. “It’s my first fight at light heavyweight, and I fought a guy who’s at the top, a guy who just knocked out a former champion in Luke Rockhold, and I went in there and did five rounds, and I won, but unfortunately I didn’t take it.”

[vertical-gallery id=463676]

Jan Blachowicz has three options in mind for his next fight after UFC on ESPN+ 22

Jan Blachowicz isn’t quite sure what’s in store for him after a lackluster win at UFC Sao Paulo.

[autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] has three names in mind for his next fight after UFC on ESPN+ 22.

[autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag], [autotag]Dominick Reyes[/autotag], or maybe [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] are the realistic options in the on-deck circle for Blachowicz.

After he defeated Ronaldo Souza (26-7 MMA, 9-4 UFC) Saturday by unanimous decision in the UFC on ESPN+ 22 headliner, Blachowicz (25-8 MMA, 8-5 UFC) took to the microphone and called for a fight with UFC light heavyweight champion Jones.

“I want someone from the top,” Blachowicz said in the cage. “Maybe a title shot. Why not? I’m ready. Jon, let’s do this. Give me the fight. Give me the title shot because I don’t have time. Maybe three more years and I go to retirement. It’s now or never.”

On the ESPN post-fight show, Blachowicz elaborated on his options. He said he’ll have to find out from the UFC what’s available. From there, Blachowicz said he and his team will figure out how to proceed.

“First of all, I have to come back to Poland and talk to the coaches,” Blachowicz said. We have to find a way to do something, so I’m not going to feel like this in a fight. Right now I don’t have answers.”

[lawrence-related id=463482,463271]

A top contender, Reyes has been linked to Jones as being the next 205-pound title challenger. If that’s the case, Blachowicz said he’ll have no problem sitting out and waiting for his shot.

“I will wait for Dominick Reyes or Jon Jones,” Blachowicz said in the post-fight press conference. “No problem. … I’m just going to wait for either from the UFC.”

Another option Blachowicz didn’t rule out is fellow light heavyweight contender Anderson. The American fighter is riding a wave of momentum coming off of a one-sided starching of rising star Johnny Walker at UFC 244 earlier this mont.

Anderson and Blachowicz fought at UFC 191 in September of 2015. Anderson walked away with the unanimous decision victory, but Blachowicz tacks up the loss to luck more than skill.

“Corey will be good – a rematch (with) him,” Blachowicz said. “Because he got a lot of luck in our first fight. I will prove that he was lucky. I (think) it will be a pleasure for me to fight against him also.”

UFC on ESPN+ 22 took place at Ginásio do Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo. The card streamed on ESPN+.

[vertical-gallery id=463676]

UFC on ESPN+ 22 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Charles Oliveira the lone $20k recipient

UFC on ESPN+ 22 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that launched after the UFC’s deal with Reebok.

Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 22 event took home event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $192,000.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC on ESPN+ 22 took place Saturday at Ginásio do Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo. The entire card streamed ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN+ 22 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag]: $15,000

[autotag]Mauricio Rua[/autotag]: $15,000
vs. [autotag]Paul Craig[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag]: $20,000
def. [autotag]Jared Gordon[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Andre Muniz[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Antonio Arroyo[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Wellington Turman[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Markus Perez[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]James Krause[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Sergio Moraes[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Ricardo Ramos[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Eduardo Garagorri[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Francisco Trinaldo[/autotag]: $15,000
def. [autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag]: $15,000

[autotag]Randy Brown[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Warlley Alves[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Douglas Silva de Andrade[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Renan Barao[/autotag]: $15,000

[autotag]Ariane Lipski[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Isabella de Padua[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Tracy Cortez[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Vanessa Melo[/autotag]: $3,500

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Reebok’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $3,500 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,000; 6-10 bouts get $5,000; 11-15 bouts earn $10,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $15,000; and 21 bouts and more get $20,000. Additionally, champions earn $40,000 while title challengers get $30,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2019 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $6,703,000
2018 total: $6,901,000
2017 total: $6,295,000
2016 total: $7,138,000
2015 total: $3,185,000
Program-to-date total: $30,337,000

[vertical-gallery id=463472]

Fight Tracks: The walkout songs of UFC on ESPN+ 22 with Queen, Foo Fighters and bucking the Eminem Curse

Check out all the fighter walkout songs from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 22 event in Sao Paulo.

While it takes intense training, world-class skills and maybe even a bit of luck to register a UFC win, picking the right song to accompany you to the cage is a key talent, as well.

Inside, see what the fighters from UFC on ESPN+ 22 went with as their backing tracks in Sao Paulo.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8, Page 9, Page 10, Page 11, Page 12, Page 13

Twitter reacts to Jan Blachowicz’s lackluster win over ‘Jacare’ Souza at UFC on ESPN+ 22

See the top Twitter reactions to Jan Blachowicz’s win over Ronaldo Souza in the UFC on ESPN+ 22 main event.

[autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] won a UFC main event for the first time on Saturday when he went into enemy territory to defeat [autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag] at UFC on ESPN+ 22.

Blachowicz (25-8 MMA, 8-5 UFC) strengthened his case for a light heavyweight title shot when he ruined Souza’s (26-8 MMA, 9-5 UFC) move up to the division with a split decision victory in the headlining bout, which took place at Ginásio do Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo, and streamed on ESPN+.

Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Blachowicz’s victory over Souza at UFC on ESPN+ 22.

* * * *

UFC on ESPN+ 22 results: Jan Blachowicz edges ‘Jacare’ Souza for uneventful decision victory

It wasn’t pretty, but Jan Blachowicz got the job done in the UFC Sao Paulo main event.

It wasn’t pretty, but [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] got the job done

On Saturday night, Blachowicz (25-8 MMA, 8-5 UFC) spoiled the light heavyweight debut of [autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag]. In one of the least eventful UFC main events in recent memory, Blachowicz edged out a split decision over Souza (26-8 MMA, 9-5 UFC).

The fight was the UFC on ESPN+ 22 main event at Ginasio do Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo. The event streamed on ESPN+.

Throughout the fight, Souza attempted to push Blachowicz up against the cage and make things ugly. While he was able to control the Polish fighter at times, Souza was never able to muster up any significant offense.

Blachowicz attempted to keep the fight in the center of the cage when possible. Utilizing his point-fighting, Blachowicz stayed on the outside to avoid Souza’s attempts at pressing the action.

Midway through the fight, Blachowicz injured his left foot – which appeared to increasingly swell as the fight went on.

[lawrence-related id=463482,463003]

A monotonous, lackluster tone didn’t slip by those in attendance in Sao Paulo. Reminiscent of the UFC 214 co-main event between then-welterweight champ Tyron Woodley and then-challenger Demian Maia, hundreds of members of the crowd took out their cell phones and waived their flashlights.

When all was said and done, Blachowicz walked away with the split decision nod and afterwards called for a title shot against Jon Jones. Why? Blachowicz cited he only has three years left in his career.

It’s not probable Blachowicz will earn a title shot out of his UFC on ESPN+ 22 victory. However, he likely earned himself another marquee matchup at 205 pounds.

While UFC light heavyweight champion Jones’ next challenge hasn’t been officially announced, all signs point towards Dominick Reyes being next in line.

Also chomping at the bit, Corey Anderson punched his ticket into the conversation when he upset surging Brazilian Johnny Walker at UFC 244 in early November.

[lawrence-related id=463237,462993]

With the victory, Blachowicz has compiled back-to-back wins since being knocked out by Thiago Santos in February. Prior to UFC on ESPN+ 22, Blachowicz got back into the win column when he knocked out former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold at UFC 239 in July. Blachowicz has now won five out of his most recent six outings.

For Souza, the loss is his second in a row. His move to 205 pounds comes after dropping three of his past five fights. In April, Souza suffered an unanimous decision loss to Norway’s Jack Hermansson.

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN+ 22 results include: