Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Jan Blachowicz
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Uses questionable judgment in loss
Blachowicz lost to Thiago Santos via TKO (punches) at 0:39 seconds of Round 3 at UFC Fight Night 145 in Prague, Czech Republic on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Blachowicz likely came into this fight with the intention of picking Santos off with counters as he blitzed forward but the Brazillian displayed a more measured approach than we had seen in recent fights, resulting in an evenly matched contest for the first two rounds. That all changed in the third frame when Jan inexplicably rushed forward and threw winging shots, allowing Santos to step back and light him up with counter hooks. Heavy ground and pound finished the job soon afterwards. While it is true that Santos isn't a great counter puncher, he is dangerous as long as he has space to move in The Octagon, which makes Blachowicz's decision to attack in that manner curious, to say the least. The Polish fighter had somewhat rejuvenated his career in the past two years by staying behind a heavy jab and using his wrestling but he simply couldn't compete in the type of chaotic environment that Santos thrives in. He falls to 23-8 in professional MMA as a result of the loss after being handed just the second KO/TKO loss of his career.
Blachowicz likely came into this fight with the intention of picking Santos off with counters as he blitzed forward but the Brazillian displayed a more measured approach than we had seen in recent fights, resulting in an evenly matched contest for the first two rounds. That all changed in the third frame when Jan inexplicably rushed forward and threw winging shots, allowing Santos to step back and light him up with counter hooks. Heavy ground and pound finished the job soon afterwards. While it is true that Santos isn't a great counter puncher, he is dangerous as long as he has space to move in The Octagon, which makes Blachowicz's decision to attack in that manner curious, to say the least. The Polish fighter had somewhat rejuvenated his career in the past two years by staying behind a heavy jab and using his wrestling but he simply couldn't compete in the type of chaotic environment that Santos thrives in. He falls to 23-8 in professional MMA as a result of the loss after being handed just the second KO/TKO loss of his career.
Paired against Thiago Santos in Prague
Blachowicz will face Thiago Santos in a light heavyweight bout at UFC Prague on Feb. 23.
ANALYSIS
The pair will headline UFC's first ever event in the Czech capital. Blachowicz is coming off four straight victories, most recently forcing Nikita Krylov to submit in the second round at UFC Fight Night 136 in September. His opponent, Santos, is coming off three straight wins of his own. The Brazilian knocked out Jimi Manuwa early in the second round at UFC 231 in his most recent match.
The pair will headline UFC's first ever event in the Czech capital. Blachowicz is coming off four straight victories, most recently forcing Nikita Krylov to submit in the second round at UFC Fight Night 136 in September. His opponent, Santos, is coming off three straight wins of his own. The Brazilian knocked out Jimi Manuwa early in the second round at UFC 231 in his most recent match.
Calls for title shot after Round 2 submission victory in Russia
Blachowicz defeated Nikita Krylov via submission (arm triangle) at 2:41 of Round 2 at UFC Moscow on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Blachowicz was fortunate enough to have his opponent play right into his strengths during this fight. Krylov is known for his knockout power but made the decision to grapple with the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. In the first round Blachowicz was taken down, but he quickly swept Krylov and took top position. He worked for submissions but was not able to finish the fight in the first round. In the second, Krylov went for a leg lock which Blachowicz easily shrugged off and he took top position. From there, he locked in the arm triangle and forced the tap. Blachowicz called out Daniel Cormier for a title fight in his post fight interview.
Blachowicz was fortunate enough to have his opponent play right into his strengths during this fight. Krylov is known for his knockout power but made the decision to grapple with the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. In the first round Blachowicz was taken down, but he quickly swept Krylov and took top position. He worked for submissions but was not able to finish the fight in the first round. In the second, Krylov went for a leg lock which Blachowicz easily shrugged off and he took top position. From there, he locked in the arm triangle and forced the tap. Blachowicz called out Daniel Cormier for a title fight in his post fight interview.
Facing Krylov at UFC Moscow
Blachowicz (22-7-0) was officially booked Wednesday to fight Nikita Krylov (25-5-0) at UFC Moscow on Sept. 15, Peter Carroll of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Blachowicz last fought in March at UFC London, defeating Jimi Manuwa to boost his record to 5-4 since joining the promotion in 2014. He'll face a stiff test in Krylov, who has reeled off four consecutive wins in the Fight Nights Global organization after leaving the UFC following his loss to Misha Cirkuov at UFC 206.
Blachowicz last fought in March at UFC London, defeating Jimi Manuwa to boost his record to 5-4 since joining the promotion in 2014. He'll face a stiff test in Krylov, who has reeled off four consecutive wins in the Fight Nights Global organization after leaving the UFC following his loss to Misha Cirkuov at UFC 206.
Avenges loss with unanimous decision victory
Blachowicz defeated Jimi Manuwa via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in London.
ANALYSIS
Blachowicz had a great game plan in this fight. He stayed behind his jab and used that to shut down Manuwa's power punches. In the first round he almost finished the fight when he dropped Manuwa, but "Poster Boy" recovered and survived to the second round. In the second round, Manuwa seemed to be taking control, but then was stunned again. Once again, he recovered and hit Blachowicz with a huge head kick that may have finished the fight if there was not only 20 seconds left in the round. In the third, Blachowicz used his jab and great head movement to avoid Manuwa's power punches. Blachowicz avenged a prior loss to Manuwa and they will likely have a rubber match. This will likely be Fight of the Night.
Blachowicz had a great game plan in this fight. He stayed behind his jab and used that to shut down Manuwa's power punches. In the first round he almost finished the fight when he dropped Manuwa, but "Poster Boy" recovered and survived to the second round. In the second round, Manuwa seemed to be taking control, but then was stunned again. Once again, he recovered and hit Blachowicz with a huge head kick that may have finished the fight if there was not only 20 seconds left in the round. In the third, Blachowicz used his jab and great head movement to avoid Manuwa's power punches. Blachowicz avenged a prior loss to Manuwa and they will likely have a rubber match. This will likely be Fight of the Night.