Jan Blachowicz isn’t a fan of Magomed Ankalaev’s type of combating.
Returning to the Octagon on Saturday, March 8, Ankalaev will lastly get his long-awaited crack at reigning gentle 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, supplied up his very candid tackle the Russian’s most up-to-date win over Aleksandar Rakić and what he’ll must do if he hopes to dethrone one of the vital harmful strikers in UFC historical past.
“He must do one thing extra,” Blachowicz stated on Michael Bisping’s Imagine You Me podcast. “He wants to make use of his wrestling expertise to tire Pereira out, make his palms 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 struggle. That’s my opinion. If he doesn’t use his wrestling expertise, he’s not going to do something.
“He additionally wants to vary somewhat bit. He must be extra aggressive. He has to imagine in his expertise. Not like with Rakic—that was a really boring struggle. I virtually fell asleep; there have been no punches. So, he must perform a little bit extra. And Pereira? He simply has to do what he at all times does—good timing, good energy 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 because 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. ‘Candy Goals’ received the bout, however like Prochazka, was compelled to vacate after rupturing his Achille’s heel throughout a summertime charity basketball sport.
That led to a conflict between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295 to as soon as once more crown a lightweight heavyweight champion. ‘Poatan’ received the bout by way of 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?
