THE UFC closes out 2022 with an intriguing vacant light heavyweight title fight along with a couple of Scousers in main event action at the T-Mobile Arena here in Las Vegas.
Shortly after both Darren Till and Paddy Pimblett return to the Octagon, Magomed Ankalaev will challenge former champ Jan Blachowicz for 205lb gold.
After a shoulder injury left champion Jiri Prochazka stirring down the abys of a potential year away from competition, the Czech relinquished the belt to allow the division to continue moving forward.
Leading contender Glover Teixeira decided a late change of opponent wouldn’t suit him at this stage in his career either, so #2 and #3 ranked contenders get promoted to main event.
‘Polish Power’ Blachowicz, 39, enjoyed a 13-month reign as champion that started with a 2020 TKO of Dominic Reyes and included a one-sided decision over Israel Adesanya.
AND STILL! Jan Blachowicz beats Israel Adesanya to remain the light heavyweight champ #UFC259 pic.twitter.com/K2nEFBfW1v
— DashSportz (@DashSportz) March 7, 2021
But he lost the belt to Teixeira last year, choked out in the second round by the Brazilian enjoying an Indian Summer in his double-digit career.
Teixerira, however, would lose the belt in his first defence in June, choked out by Prochazka in a leading Fight of the Year candidate out in Singapore.
Title defeat aside, Blachowicz has been in terrific form, losing just one in 10 starts in the UFC – outstanding when you consider he lost four in five outings shortly after making his debut.
The former KSW champion also bounced back from his title defeat with a defiant third round TKO of Aleksandar Rakic in May to remain in the #2 spot.
Across the Octagon on Saturday stands a fighter considered by many as the future of the division: 30-year-old Dagestani native Ankalaev.
The Russian’s 18-1 record includes 10 knockouts, and he’s riding an almost punch-perfect nine-fight winning streak inside the Octagon.
Longest win streaks in UFC light heavyweight history.
Magomed Ankalaev is chasing history. 👀 @AnkalaevM pic.twitter.com/368ghtsCW5
— DiaztwinsMMA (@DiaztwinsMMA) December 7, 2022
His sole career defeat was a last second of the last round submission to Scotland’s Paul Craig on his UFC debut in London in 2018.
Ankalaev was winning all three rounds of that fight too, before Craig’s incredible last second sub attempt stole away the victory.
A tall, relaxed striker with an accomplished grappling game, Ankalaev has a very rounded out style and appears to slow down fights to suit his pace, orchestrated from the centre of the Octagon.
Blachowicz is known as a striker, but has as many submission wins as he has knockouts: nine. His 29-9 career is a proof indeed that winners never quit and he’s got the kind of big show experience that Ankalaev is lacking.
But this sport moves fast and whilst Blachowicz has been at the top of the mountain before, it’s the guy still climbing the hill that appears best positioned for success
Till and Pimblett
I’m somewhat biased, of course, but I also like Till and Pimblett in their matchups against Dricus du Plessis and Jared Gordon, respectively.
After spending the last 10 weeks in Thailand away from any distractions, former UFC title contender Till looks reborn and refreshed as he looks to get his recent 1-4 form back on track against the South African.
Whilst, Paddy ‘The Baddy’, despite featuring in just his fourth UFC contest and it being a huge co-main event slot, looks to have too much skill both on the feet and on the ground for veteran American Gordon.
