Whereas the principle occasion of UFC 282 was modified simply a few weeks in the past as a result of an damage to Jiri Prochazka, that doesn’t imply the highest of the cardboard has taken an enormous hit by way of high quality. I’m not saying dropping the all the time thrilling Prochazka isn’t going to have an effect on the leisure issue; Prochazka has confirmed himself to be one of many extra persistently dynamic fighters on the roster. However by way of a pair of fighters trying to show themselves worthy of being the perfect of their respective divisions? Nicely, if Procházka goes to be out for some time, there aren’t many potential contests that fill that function higher than Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev. Not like Prochazka, each males have confirmed they’ll flip in actual snoozers. Nevertheless, amidst these cures for insomnia, in addition they have a number of spotlight reel KO’s of their very own. I wouldn’t predict a barnburner on this battle to crown a brand new kingpin at 205, however I don’t assume there can be a lot shock to see a sudden and violent ending to the competition from both combatant.
For the early prelims preview, click on right here. For the televised prelims, click on right here. For the remainder of the principle card, click on right here. For an audio preview, click on right here.
Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev, Mild Heavyweight
I don’t know what number of of y’all can bear in mind when Blachowicz was sitting at 2-4 within the UFC, however the record of people that believed he would ever declare UFC gold at that time was shorter than those that have walked on the moon. Now that the Pole has achieved that feat, he’s on the verge of changing into a two-time gentle heavyweight champion. Solely Randy Couture and Jon Jones could make that declare. Not Tito Ortiz. Not Chuck Liddell. Not Daniel Cormier. Anybody else get the sensation we’ve got underestimated this man?
There are two causes Blachowicz’s UFC profession bought off to such a poor begin: poor takedown protection and an inconsistent gasoline tank. Blachowicz addressed these points effectively sufficient that nobody questions his gasoline tank anymore and he just lately had a stretch of 5 fights the place his opponents had been unable to take him down. After all, Glover Teixeira was capable of declare the sunshine heavyweight title from him by taking him down, so it’s secure to say he isn’t impervious to being placed on his again, however it isn’t the surety to occur it as soon as was.
Regardless, it’s arduous to imagine his primary objective received’t be to maintain Ankalaev from placing him on his again. The methodical Russian might very effectively be the perfect wrestler within the division. If that isn’t the case, he’s no less than probably the most technically sound. It’s straightforward to neglect given Ankalaev spends most of his time participating his opponent on the ft, however Ankalaev has been very explicit together with his sport plans. If he seems like probably the most direct path to victory is caring for enterprise standing, he’ll do this. Nevertheless, in opposition to the likes of the dynamic Nikita Krylov, Ankalaev took the battle to the mat.
If something, an argument could possibly be made Ankalaev doesn’t take the battle to the mat sufficient. That isn’t to say his battle IQ is questionable; removed from it. Nevertheless, given his greatest function could also be his high management and GnP, it’s a little bit of a shock he doesn’t look to take that route extra typically. Maybe he has flashes of Paul Craig etched into his reminiscence – his lone profession loss was a triangle submission to the slick Scotsman – however there received’t be any hazard of Blachowicz attacking him from off his again.
The battle on the ft is troublesome to find out. Although neither is taken into account to be a lot for flash, energy isn’t briefly provide for both man. Ankalaev is the extra dynamic of the 2, providing the occasional head kick along with his tight boxing. Blachowicz tends to work all three ranges with better consistency, however Ankalaev has no subject working over no matter gap he can exploit. Sadly, there’s an enormous key to this contest that has many frightened will probably be a horrible staring contest: each choose to battle on the counter.
Ankalaev’s need to get a learn on his opponent ensures that he’s going to have some actual snoozers. He’ll often assault aggressively, however solely after he’s made his reads throughout the course of the battle. Blachowicz has a extra pure really feel to preventing, no shock given he’s bought almost 40 fights beneath his belt. Teixeira proved he may be flustered if he’s persistently taken down, which is why it seems like a surety Ankalaev can be searching for takedowns. Nevertheless, there may be one different issue that might put a wrench into that thought course of: Thiago Santos proved a dynamic athlete and striker can put Blachowicz away. There’s little doubt Ankalaev is the higher athlete, particularly now as Blachowicz is a couple of months away from his fortieth birthday. If Ankalaev needs extra than simply the cash that comes with being the champion, he might look to safe the title with a spotlight reel KO. He might very effectively do this, however he would even be giving Blachowicz his greatest probability to safe his second title reign if that’s the case.
If I believed Ankalaev was extra involved about cash than being champion, I’d imagine he’d be keen to play with hearth. Maybe that might come down the highway if Ankalaev has a protracted title reign, however he’s by no means let being a boring fighter get in his method earlier than. Now that he’s so near securing championship gold, I don’t see him doing something aside from taking probably the most direct route. Maybe being within the highlight will get to him as he has by no means headlined a PPV earlier than. Maybe Blachowicz makes the proper learn and places Ankalaev away. He’s bought the ability to make {that a} distinct chance, however the more than likely final result is Ankalaev taking part in it secure and taking the crown. Ankalaev by way of TKO of RD4
