Jan Blachowicz is just not a fan of Magomed Ankalaev’s model of combating.
Returning to the Octagon on Saturday, March 8, Ankalaev will lastly get his long-awaited crack at reigning mild heavyweight champion Alex Pereira when the 2 headline UFC 313 in Las Vegas.
Blachowicz, who beforehand competed with Ankalaev for the vacated 205-pound title in 2022, provided up his very candid tackle the Russian’s most up-to-date win over Aleksandar Rakić and what he’ll need to do if he hopes to dethrone some of the harmful strikers in UFC historical past.
“He needs to do something more,” Blachowicz mentioned on Michael Bisping’s Imagine You Me podcast. “He wants to make use of his wrestling abilities to tire Pereira out, make his arms heavy, after which he can begin combating within the stand-up. If he fights within the stand-up solely, like a kickboxer, he’s going to lose the battle. That’s my opinion. If he doesn’t use his wrestling abilities, he’s not going to do something.
“He also needs to change a little bit. He needs to be more aggressive. He has to believe in his skills. Not like with Rakic—that was a very boring fight. I almost fell asleep; there were no punches. So, he needs to do a little bit more. And Pereira? He just has to do what he always does—good timing, good power punches, and that’s it.”
‘Poatan’ goes for title protection No. 4 in opposition to Magomed Ankalaev
Squaring off at UFC 282, Blachowicz and Ankalaev fought for 5 lackluster rounds earlier than their bout was dominated a no-contest, leaving the sunshine heavyweight division and not using a champion after ex-titleholder Jiri Prochazka was compelled to vacate as a consequence of a shoulder harm a couple of months prior.
That led to Jamahal Hill getting his shot on the gold in opposition to Glover Teixeira the next month at UFC 283. ‘Sweet Dreams’ gained the bout, however like Prochazka, was compelled to vacate after rupturing his Achille’s heel throughout a summertime charity basketball recreation.
That led to a conflict between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295 to as soon as once more crown a light-weight heavyweight champion. ‘Poatan’ gained the bout through a second-round TKO and by no means appeared again. In 2024, Pereira defended his title thrice, scoring highlight-reel knockouts in opposition to Jamahal Hill, Prochazka, and Khalil Rountree Jr.
Will Prochazka make it 4 profitable defenses in a row at UFC 313, or will Ankalaev heed the recommendation of Jan Blachowicz and use his instruments at hand ‘Poatan’ his first loss within the division?
