For Jan Błachowicz, the last twelve months have definitely not been successful. At the end of July last year, our representative lost a very close fight with the current light heavyweight champion, Brazilian Alex Pereira (11-2), by a split decision. Although this can also be considered a great achievement, considering that “Poatan” won his next three fights by knockout, winning and then defending the championship belt twice.
Błachowicz overcame health problems. Now he returns hungry for a fight
Unfortunately, the Pole did not have the opportunity to fight during this time, and all because of health problems. Błachowicz had to undergo surgery on both shoulders due to degenerations that limited his strength. As he once explained in an interview with bjpenn.com, there was even talk of a 40 percent loss of power in his arms. What's more, the procedures turned out to be more serious than expected. Because of this, the Cieszyn fighter did not fight at UFC 297 in January with Austrian Aleksandar Rakic (14-4), and his break was significantly longer.
Now, however, everything seems to be finally going in the right direction. Błachowicz recently returned to training, and now on the X portal he published a post with information that his fans have been waiting for for a long time. The Pole clearly indicated when he would return to fighting. He also emphasized that he feels like himself again, and his old self has returned. – I woke up today, drank my favorite coffee, went for a walk with my dog, played with my son. It seemed like a normal day, but something changed. I called the UFC. I said: “schedule me a fight for December”. I feel like my old self has returned. I am back – wrote Błachowicz.
Alex Pereira in the crosshairs of the Pole. But they are also hunting him
It seems that the Cieszyn native will return this year. Perhaps at UFC 310, scheduled for December. Who could he face? The Pole recently hinted that his goal is to fight for the belt and a rematch with Pereira. He even challenged him to a fight after the Brazilian's last victory. However, it is not known whether the UFC will agree to it. Błachowicz has ultimately won one of his last four fights, even if a draw with Magomed Ankalaev (19-1-1) and a defeat to the champion were debatable and the judges could have ruled him victorious in both cases.
So far, no one in the light heavyweight division has set such tough conditions for Alex Pereira. However, if not with the champion, then with whom? There is no shortage of options. There are former champions, recently defeated by the Brazilian, namely the American Jamahal Hill (12-2) and the Czech Jiri Prochazka (30-5-1). There are rematches with Rakic and Ankalaev. The Pole was also challenged to a fight by the Swiss Volkan Oezdemir (20-7), who was boosted by two knockout victories. A dominant triumph in any of them should either give the 41-year-old a fight for the belt, or at least bring him very close to it. Although he would certainly push for the title of challenger, because let's also keep in mind his age, which is very advanced even for a high weight class.