Jan Błachowicz has experienced more than his fair share of ups and downs over the past five years.
Błachowicz (29-10-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC) knocked out Dominick Reyes to win the vacant UFC light heavyweight title in 2020 and went on to defend the belt by defeating then-middleweight champion Israel Adesanya six months later.
The Polish veteran was dethroned by Glover Teixeira late in 2021 but worked his way back into title contention. A year later, he was paired with Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 282 to fight for the belt, which had been recently vacated by the injured Jiri Prochazka.
The fight ended in a split draw, and instead of booking a rematch, UFC matchmakers put together an entirely new matchup between Teixeira and Jamahal Hill.
Błachowicz fought once more, losing a split decision to Alex Pereira in July 2023, a result that earned "Poatan" a title shot later that year.
Since then, Błachowicz has been sidelined, requiring surgeries on both shoulders, and has become the forgotten man of the light heavyweight division.
Blachowicz Wants To Renew Rivalry With Ankalaev
Ahead of his comeback fight against Carlos Ulberg (11-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) at UFC London on March 22, the 42-year-old Błachowicz has been plotting his path back to the UFC title, which his former opponent Magomed Ankalaev won last weekend at UFC 313.
"What's going to happen? I'm going to have a title shot against Ankalaev", Blachowicz said this week during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show. "For me, it's like, first of all, I focus only about Ulberg. I believe that I'm going to beat him. And if you ask me what's going to be next, only this: we've got our story, unfinished business. We have to finish. But first of all, I focus only about my next fight".
Drawing with Magomed Ankalaev and then losing such a close decision to Alex Pereira has clearly been frustrating for Blachowicz, especially given the fact that both opponents went on to become champion. He told Helwani that he would love to re-write both wrongs before slinking off into retirement.
"Yeah, so I beat Ulberg, then I take a title shot against Ankalaev", said Blachowicz. "I beat Ankalaev and rematch against Pereira. I defend the belt against Pereira. You know, create in my head. Yeah. I can go to the mountains again!"
Despite his extended layoff, Blachowicz sits in 3rd spot in the light heavyweight rankings, one place below his fellow European, Jiri Prochazka. Helwani offered the idea that the pair might fight in either Poland or Prochazka's native Czech Republic, an idea which seemed to appeal to Blachowicz.
"That's what I'm thinking. It will be amazing here", he replied to Helwani. "Yes, the biggest fight in Europe, you know, in this, in our continent. Yes. So we will see. Maybe they will make some, you know, I don't know, some King of Europe belt".
