UFC

Exclusive: Marc Montoya poses several hurdles for Israel Adesanya to overcome in Light Heavyweight division

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Israel Adesanya vs Jan Blachowicz is set to be the next big fight in the Light Heavyweight division

The UFC Light Heavyweight division is set to include another champion when Israel Adesanya vs Jan Blachowicz takes place.

Blachowicz is the current Light Heavyweight champion as he won the vacant title. The Polish star destroyed Dominick Reyes to win his first UFC title but he has a tough job on his hands.

Israel Adesanya kicks Paulo Costa in their middleweight championship bout during UFC 253 inside Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on September 27, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Adesanya, the undefeated Middleweight champion, decided to move up a division to face the Pole.

Adesanya last defeated Paulo Costa with ease and this is going to be an interesting fight. However, moving up a division is always difficult but X Factory coach, Marc Montoya, understood why Izzy wanted to move up.

Montoya was with Alexander Hernandez as they spoke on the Schmozone Podcast, and claimed that being a double champion is a dream for many but only a few can ever achieve it:

“Why wouldn’t he go up to 205? How many people want to win multiple belts? They all want to do it and you just have to prove that you’ve earned the right to even be in that discussion.”

Not an easy move up

Montoya has coached several big names in the UFC with one of them being Anthony Smith. He highlighted the challenges Adesanya would face by moving up a division but claimed everyone wanted to see how Izzy would do against them:

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“The question I have though for Adesanya is because at 205 there is a big jump. I have done it with Anthony [Smith], power-wise, body-wise, the whole thing.

“Adesanya is an amazing fighter but is that jump to 205 is that too much? Is the power too overwhelming there or is that size of body on top of your or against the cage on you, does that stifle what Adesanya is so great at?

“Because of those questions you want to see him fight at 205.”

Adesanya has also been bickering with Jon Jones a lot with the former Light Heavyweight division moving up to the Heavyweight one.

Anthony Smith (L) throws a punch during a light heavyweight title bout against Jon Jones during UFC 235 at T-Mobile Arena on March 02, 2019 (Photo by Isaac Brekken/Getty Images)

Jones also wants to fight Stipe Miocic for the title and become the champion. While we may not see Jones vs Adesanya at the moment, both Hernandez and Montoya believed that Jones would get the better of his rival if they met at 205.

Hernandez also backed Adesanya to win the Light Heavyweight title against Blachowicz and it will be quite a battle when the two meet.

This was an exclusive interview from The Schmozone Podcast. For more exclusive interviews and content please follow the link

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Saiyed Adeem Karim

Ditching a corporate job to follow a dream isn't easy, but when football comes calling, who can say no? Been following the beautiful game since 1998. Liverpool addict, F1 fanatic!

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