Jan Blachowicz with the UFC light heavyweight belt. (imago Images)
Khabib Nurmagomedov was impressed by Jan Blachowicz after his UFC 259 win over Israel Adesanya
UFC 259 was an incredible MMA event with three titles on the line. Amanda Nunes, Petr Yan and Jan Blachowicz were all defending their respective titles and only one changed hands at the show.
Yan used an illegal knee on Aljamain Sterling and created a bit of history as he became the first UFC champion to lose his title via DQ.
However, Blachowicz also created some history of his own. It was the Polish Light Heavyweight’s first title defence and he defeated Israel Adesanya, the Middleweight champion.
This was Adesanya’s first ever MMA loss and many were impressed by Blachowicz. The Pole and Adesanya were even going into the last two rounds. However, Blachowicz used a ton of wrestling to get the win in the end.
Adesanya was magnanimous in defeat and Blachowicz could celebrate a huge win. There was one more UFC great watching the clash and had something to share with the Pole.
Khabib Nurmagomedov, the retired UFC Lightweight champion, was Islam Makhachev’s cornerman at the event.
While Khabib helped Islam beat Drew Dober, he also praised Blachowicz after the win:
“It was a great fight. Great takedown.
“You know why you won? Takedown, to takedown, to wrestling. Wrestling is power.”
Nunes’ win over Megan Anderson was more or less a surety as she is considered as the GOAT, at least in women’s MMA.
However, Blachowicz and Makhachev also impressed in their outings. Makhachev confirmed that he was a worthy heir to Khabib’s throne and it will be interesting to see who he fights next.
Javier Mendez, his coach, believed Islam was ready for anyone but didn’t believe a fight against Tony Ferguson could take place.
Blachowicz, for his part, has a tough clash against Glover Teixeira next. However, the Pole should be carrying a lot of confidence after his UFC 259 win and is more than worthy of holding that belt.
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