Jan Blachowicz

UFC: Thiago Santos – Glover Teixiera fight pushed back (Reports)

by
Anthony Smith, UFC

The UFC has lost it’s main event for it’s fight night that was scheduled next week on September 12th. Glover Teixiera (31-7) has test positive for COVID-19. First reported by Combate and confirmed by MMA Junkie.

With the positive test, the highly anticipated light heavyweight showdown with Thiago Santos (21-7) is being pushed back to October 3rd. Given that this fight was originally scheduled to be the main event next week, I wouldn’t be shocked if it bumps Holm – Aldana considering the interest in this fight.

UFC loses another fight to COVID

The UFC has done a fantastic job of putting on live events since May. However, the promotion has had to cancel a number of fights due to COVID-19. This one really hurts because the UFC didn’t have a clear fight that can take over the main event slot next week.

Likely the co-main event of Michelle Waterson – Angela Hill will slide up to the main event. While that’s a good fight, I’m not sure it’s a UFC main event. Fortunately, we will see get to see the UFC title eliminator between Santos and Teixiera next month.

Later in October on Fight Island, Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz will be fighting for the UFC light heavyweight title. The winner of this Santos – Teixiera matchup will be the first in line for the title. With the fight being pushed back, there will be less down time for the winner of the fight.

Does Bellator have a better light heavyweight division than the UFC?

by
UFC, Dana White

Last week, Bellator President Scott Coker made some pretty bold statements about his promotion’s light heavyweight division. He said that they had the best light heavyweight division in the world after Jon Jones vacated his UFC light heavyweight title to move to heavyweight.

After Vadim Nemkov knocked out Ryan Bader at Bellator 244, Coker doubled down on his claim that they were better than the UFC. “When Jon Jones moving up to heavyweight, clearly we have the best division.”

Bellator’s claim

The UFC also had an event this weekend. After the event, the media asked UFC President Dana White about Coker’s claims that Bellator had the better light heavyweight division. With a big smile, White replied to the media, “Isn’t he cute?”

Bellator has some very solid guys in their light heavyweight division. Nemkov, Phil Davis, Corey Anderson, Lyoto Machida, and others. You can throw Bader in too although I’m sure he’s going to be sticking to heavyweight after that fight.

Those are all very solid fighters, but the UFC president made a point that rings very true about their light heavyweight division. He stated, “Everyone they have in their light heavyweight division, we let go of. That’s like the dumbest f–king thing I’ve ever heard.”

Anderson, Machida, Bader, and Davis were all former members of the UFC that the promotion let walk. I understand what Scott Coker is trying to do with making his statement. However, I’m not sure the statement holds a lot of weight.

The UFC is better at the top

The UFC doesn’t have the same stacked light heavyweight division they once had, but it’s still the best game in town. Corey Anderson was ranked fourth in the UFC prior to him being signed by Bellator, but he was just starched earlier this year by Jan Blachowicz.

I believe that Dominick Reyes is better than anyone in Bellator. I also believe that the best version of Anthony “Rumble” Johnson is better than anyone inside of Bellator’s light heavyweight division.

If the four best UFC light heavyweights (Reyes, Blachowicz, Johnson, Thiago Santos) fought the four best Bellator light heavyweights (Nemkov, Anderson, Davis, Bader), would you favor any of the Bellator guys?

The answer to that question is probably no. Bellator has a good light heavyweight division, but it is not better than the UFC‘s. This round goes to Dana White and the guys in the UFC.

UFC: Anthony “Rumble” Johnson returning to light heavyweight

by
Anthony Rumble Johnson

The state of the UFC‘s light heavyweight division is extremely fluid at the moment. Today, Jon Jones announced that he will be vacating the light heavyweight title.

Also, it was announced that the UFC is planning on having Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz fight at UFC 253 which will likely be for the title although not confirmed.

If that wasn’t enough news in the light heavyweight division, arguably the most terrifying knockout artist in the history of the division will be making his return.

Rumble back in the UFC

It has long been known that Anthony “Rumble” Johnson would be making his UFC return at some point. We just really didn’t know when that return would happen. We also didn’t know which weight class Rumble would be fighting in.

As Brett Okamoto reported, Rumble will be going back down to light heavyweight. The same division that saw Rumble make two runs to a title shot only to be stopped by Daniel Cormier twice.

The second loss to Cormier came at UFC 210 back in 2017. That night, Rumble announced that he would be stepping away from fighting. He was emotional in announcing his retirement.

Outside of his two losses to Cormier, Johnson went 6-0 in the light heavyweight division with five first round knockouts. Those knockouts came over guys like Glover Teixeira, Alexander Gustafsson, and current two division Bellator champion, Ryan Bader.

It will be very interesting to see how quickly the UFC decides to push Rumble. Will he get a crack at the title right away or will they give him a top contender like a Jiri Prochazka in his first fight back?

It will be interesting to see this whole thing unfold. Rumble will have to be in the USADA pool for six months before he can return to the octagon. With that, expect to see Rumble back in the first part of 2021.

 

BREAKING: UFC light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, vacates title

by
UFC, Jon Jones

Earlier today, it was announced that the UFC was planning to have Dominick Reyes face Jan Blachowicz on September 26th. Many were wondering what that meant for the light heavyweight title.

Last week, Dana White said that the UFC would be having a light heavyweight title fight before the year was over. However, he didn’t say what that meant for Jon Jones. He said they were waiting to hear back. Well, the man himself just gave us our answer.

Bones going for the UFC’s heavyweight title?

It’s been clear for some time that Jon Jones was wanting to move up to the heavyweight division. There is really not a lot left for him to accomplish at 205 pounds. The only thing there would be the rematch with Dominick Reyes after many thought he lost to Reyes earlier this year.

However, the UFC‘s light heavyweight king seems to be ready to move on. I don’t believe he’s done because as of two days ago, Jones was very active on Twitter discussing his desire to compete for the heavyweight title. He made it clear that he wanted to fight Stipe Miocic after UFC 252.

Where do we go from here?

That is a very interesting question. White said in the post-fight press conference that Francis Ngannou was definitely next for the title. So does Francis still get the shot with Jones more than likely moving up?

That is a question that only the UFC knows the answer to. Obviously, there is no one more deserving of a heavyweight title shot than Ngannou. However, can the UFC turn down the opportunity to have the GOAT fight the heavyweight GOAT? Time will tell on this one.

UFC: Dominick Reyes – Jan Blachowicz targeted for September 26th

by
Dominick Reyes

The UFC is finalizing a massive matchup in the light heavyweight division. Per ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Dominick Reyes (12-1) will be taking on Jan Blachowicz (26-8) on September 26th.

Dana White said last week that the promotion was waiting to hear back from Jon Jones on what was next for him. White confirmed that there would be a UFC light heavyweight title fight before the year was over. The details of the Reyes/Blachowicz fight is still being worked out.

UFC interim champion or title eliminator?

This is such a big fight because it pairs the top two contenders in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. Earlier this year at UFC 247, Dominick Reyes fought Jon Jones for the light heavyweight title.

Reyes put on the performance of a lifetime and many believed that he was going to walk out the new champion. In fact, the majority of the media who scored the fight had the fight for Reyes. In the end, the three judges were unanimous in giving the fight to Jones.

Despite the outpouring of interest in the rematch, Jones seemed to want to move on. He set his eyes on the Polish Express. Blachowicz shocked everyone when he knocked out top contender Corey Anderson just one week after Jones fought Reyes.

With the knockout win, Blachowicz made his case to be the top contender. Jones nodded in approval as Blachowicz shouted at him from the cage after the victory. The UFC had two top contenders on their hands with interesting storylines around them both.

Of course, Jones then expressed his interest in moving up to heavyweight. He suggested that Blachowicz fight Reyes for the title when he was going through his contract dispute with the UFC.

While we certainly don’t know the circumstances just yet, we know that is exactly what’s going to happen. The winner of this fight will either be an interim champion or the winner will be earning the right to fight the UFC‘s light heavyweight champion in the next few months.

UFC will have a light heavyweight title fight before 2020 is over per Dana White

by
UFC, Jon Jones

For the last few months, the UFC‘s light heavyweight division has been in a state of limbo. The current champion and pound-for-pound top fighter in the world, Jon Jones (26-1, 1 NC) has been in a dispute with the UFC.

The dispute had to deal with fighter pay. Jones expressed interesting in moving up in weight to fight Francis Ngannou in a super fight, but he wanted a little more money. The UFC said no, and then the public dispute started.

There was a ton of back and forth where people were being called liars. Jones even called for his UFC release due to the talks. Many were left wondering if the UFC would release Jones or at least strip him of his title.

Earlier this week, Dana White said that the promotion had no plans on stripping Jones anytime soon. Recently he also said the promotion would work things out with Jones. He shed a little more light on that with an interview with ESPN.

The UFC’s GOAT returning in 2020?

“We’re making moves on that (the light heavyweight division)… We’re actually waiting to hear back from Jon Jones right now,” White told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto.

White was later interviewed by The Schmo where he was asked about Jones’ future at light heavyweight. “If he stays at light heavyweight, he’s got to fight Reyes again. You have to see that fight again,” White told The Schmo.

It’s very clear what the UFC‘s plan is if Jon Jones returns to the division he’s reigned over for so long. It appears that the promotion will try to make the rematch with Dominick Reyes (12-1) happen.

The two men fought at UFC 247 back in February and the fight was razor close. Many people didn’t think Jones won the fight. In fact, 14 of 21 journalists scoring the fight, had the fight for Dominick Reyes.

The big question will be if Jones returns to light heavyweight. Maybe Jones just wants to be done with the division. There are plenty of options for him at heavyweight whether it be a fight with Ngannou or a potential fight with Stipe Miocic.

If Jones were to vacate the light heavyweight title, Reyes would be fighting for the vacant title. Reyes would likely take on Jan Blachowicz (26-8) if there were to be a vacant title fight.

Either way, we should see the light heavyweight title contested in the UFC before the end of the year. My guess is that we will see Jon Jones make his return to light heavyweight. I think it’ll be another year before we see a potential move to heavyweight. There’s always that Israel Adesanya fight that’s potentially just a year away at 205.