Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Jan Blachowicz
With the UFC calendar set to resume in just a few weeks, it's a good reset point for ranking UFC fighters in a dynasty format. Jake Letarski uses data from a similar league to generate tier-based rankings.
Does Jan Blachowicz have what it takes to pull off the upset and avenge a loss from earlier in his career? Jon Litterine breaks down four fights and makes his picks for UFC Rio Rancho.
While Jan Blachowicz picked up the win Saturday, did he do it in impressive enough fashion to join the title conversation? Richard Mann looks at the numbers from the Sao Paulo main card.
Can the home crowd help Jacare Souza turn back the clock and upset a top contender? Jon Litterine breaks down four key bouts at UFC Sao Paulo and makes his picks for the rest.
Defense is out the window Saturday night in Vancouver, where the two fighters own 24 combined post-fight bonuses. Jon Litterine is back to make his picks on DraftKings, which include several key upsets.
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Betting underdog Saturday
Blachowicz will be approximately a (+170) betting underdog when he takes on Corey Anderson in the main event of UFC Rio Rancho on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
This will be a rematch of a September 2015 matchup where Blachowicz was beaten handily, which at least partially explains why he's such a big betting underdog here despite winning six of his last seven fights. Blachowicz didn't perform well from a fantasy standpoint in that matchup, collecting just 20 signifcant strikes, a takedown and a pass. His opponent registered 84 significant strikes, four takedowns and six passes in that bout. Five years later, however, Blachowicz has built up a sizable amount of momentum and appears to be reinventing himself at the age of 36. While he'll be at a disadvantage in most statistical categories, it would be unwise to count him out as he makes a final push towards the belt. A No. 1 contender spot could very well be on the line here should champion Jon Jones choose to remain in the light heavyweight division.
This will be a rematch of a September 2015 matchup where Blachowicz was beaten handily, which at least partially explains why he's such a big betting underdog here despite winning six of his last seven fights. Blachowicz didn't perform well from a fantasy standpoint in that matchup, collecting just 20 signifcant strikes, a takedown and a pass. His opponent registered 84 significant strikes, four takedowns and six passes in that bout. Five years later, however, Blachowicz has built up a sizable amount of momentum and appears to be reinventing himself at the age of 36. While he'll be at a disadvantage in most statistical categories, it would be unwise to count him out as he makes a final push towards the belt. A No. 1 contender spot could very well be on the line here should champion Jon Jones choose to remain in the light heavyweight division.
Rematch vs. Corey Anderson in works
Blachowicz (foot) is expected to take on Corey Anderson for No. 1 contender status in the light heavyweight division at the UFC's Feb. 15 event in Rio Rancho, Nolan King of MMAJunkie.USAtoday.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Blachowicz has won two fights in a row including a knock out over Luke Rockhold at UFC 239 and a victory over Ronaldo Souza last month at UFC on ESPN+ 22. He lost to Anderson the first time they fought at UFC 191 in Sept. 2015, so this potential bout would be a rematch. He will look to earn a different outcome should this contract ultimately get signed.
Blachowicz has won two fights in a row including a knock out over Luke Rockhold at UFC 239 and a victory over Ronaldo Souza last month at UFC on ESPN+ 22. He lost to Anderson the first time they fought at UFC 191 in Sept. 2015, so this potential bout would be a rematch. He will look to earn a different outcome should this contract ultimately get signed.
Could face medical suspension
Blachowicz (foot) is facing a 180-day medical suspension pending X-rays of both feet, Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Blachowicz narrowly defeated Jacare Souza via unanimous decision at UFC Sao Paulo on Saturday, but he appeared to break his foot early in the fight and could now be sidelined for six months. The 36-year-old claimed on his personal Twitter feed that his feet felt good, but more should be revealed after he receives his X-ray. Following his victory Saturday, Blachowicz is now 6-1 over his last seven fights.
Blachowicz narrowly defeated Jacare Souza via unanimous decision at UFC Sao Paulo on Saturday, but he appeared to break his foot early in the fight and could now be sidelined for six months. The 36-year-old claimed on his personal Twitter feed that his feet felt good, but more should be revealed after he receives his X-ray. Following his victory Saturday, Blachowicz is now 6-1 over his last seven fights.
Edges Jacare Souza in Sao Paulo
Blachowicz defeated Jacare Souza via unanimous decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
ANALYSIS
It's the rare instance in which the winner of a UFC main event may have seen his stock decrease in the process. In what was about the most boring 25-minute bout you will ever see, Blachowicz did just enough to earn the judge's decision. Jan's best trait in this one was his takedown defense. He stuffed all five of Jacare's tries, but that didn't lead to any additional offense for Blachowicz. To give you an idea of his night at the office, Blachowicz ended up with a 105-56 edge in total strikes landed and an argument can be made he lost the fight. He also appeared to break his foot in the early going. Regardless, a win is a win and Blachowicz is now sporting a 6-1 record in his last seven bouts dating back to October 2017. Included in that stretch are wins over Jared Cannonier, Luke Rockhold, and Souza. Blachowicz is already 36 years old and getting by with smoke and mirrors, but he's winning.
It's the rare instance in which the winner of a UFC main event may have seen his stock decrease in the process. In what was about the most boring 25-minute bout you will ever see, Blachowicz did just enough to earn the judge's decision. Jan's best trait in this one was his takedown defense. He stuffed all five of Jacare's tries, but that didn't lead to any additional offense for Blachowicz. To give you an idea of his night at the office, Blachowicz ended up with a 105-56 edge in total strikes landed and an argument can be made he lost the fight. He also appeared to break his foot in the early going. Regardless, a win is a win and Blachowicz is now sporting a 6-1 record in his last seven bouts dating back to October 2017. Included in that stretch are wins over Jared Cannonier, Luke Rockhold, and Souza. Blachowicz is already 36 years old and getting by with smoke and mirrors, but he's winning.
Part of main event at UFC Sao Paulo
Blachowicz will take on Ronaldo Souza in the main event at UFC Sao Paulo, Dave Doyle of MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Blachowicz has won five of his previous six fights, and is coming off his biggest win of his career over Luke Rockhold. The Poland product sports a 9-4 UFC record. He will square off against Souza who is moving up to light heavyweight for the fight.
Blachowicz has won five of his previous six fights, and is coming off his biggest win of his career over Luke Rockhold. The Poland product sports a 9-4 UFC record. He will square off against Souza who is moving up to light heavyweight for the fight.