After Jiri Prochazka was seriously injured, and Glover Teixeira refused to play with anyone who was not a non -prochazka, the UFC 282 Organizing Committee had to make a backup plan. Accordingly, the Light Heavyweight's weight belt match at this event will take place between two boxers who are former champion Jan Blachowicz and emerging fighter Magomed Ankalaev.
“This is an early Christmas gift for me,” Blachowicz shared at the meeting before the event. He added: “Maybe I was the last to know this information, because when the organizers announced, I was on the plane. At first I could not believe this was the truth, because I should have played one more match, got 1 more victory to return to the belt challenge.”
Talking about Jiri Prochazka, who could not protect the belt due to injury and had surgery, Blachowicz said he expected the UFC champion to recover soon. However, the absence of prochazka is also a golden opportunity to help Blachowicz return to the struggle for championship with time earlier than usual, maybe 1 year.
Bluchowicz personally seems to be very charming with UFC straps. At the first time he conquered this belt, the organizers also had to arrange a bench pairs by Jon Jones to leave the belt drum, thereby Blachowicz was tried to fight with Dominick Reyes. History can be repeated with a person who always fights or when at the lower door like Blachowicz.
However, Blachowicz's upcoming fight is likely not to be peaceful. Ankalaev has a series of 9 consecutive victories in UFC, only losing 1 match, and shows that he has almost no weaknesses. But Blachowicz believed he could defeat the opponent, and showed everyone Ankalaev not invincible.