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#2. Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev or Anthony Smith
Another huge upcoming fight in the light heavyweight division sees Magomed Ankalaev face off with Anthony Smith, and this bout could have massive implications as to who Jan Blachowicz fights next.
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Essentially, Ankalaev, who is on the longest winning streak in the division with eight straight victories in the octagon to his name, is expected to be handed a title shot should he defeat Smith in impressive fashion, leapfrogging Blachowicz in the process.
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However, if the Dagestani were to lose to ‘Lionheart’, then any idea of a title shot would be out of the window. Smith would also not be likely to be given a shot at the champion, making either man a prospective opponent for Blachowicz.
Of the two, naturally, Ankalaev would be the more fascinating prospect, as his takedown is remarkably difficult to stop and wrestling is something that Blachowicz has struggled with in the past.
On the other hand, Ankalaev has never fought an opponent quite as accomplished as Blachowicz before. If the Polish fighter could keep the bout standing, then he could find himself at an advantage. Basically, it’d be a genuinely intriguing clash.
A fight between Smith and Blachowicz would have less intrigue, but it would certainly be a watchable fight between two of the most exciting fighters in the light heavyweight division right now.
In conclusion, it’s likely the UFC would simply push Blachowicz into a title fight should Ankalaev lose to Smith. However, if the Teixeira vs. Prochazka fight were to require an instant rematch, the Polish fighter against either ‘Lionheart’ or the Dagestani would work well.
#1. Jan Blachowicz vs. Glover Teixeira or Jiri Prochazka
Naturally, the fight that would be most attractive to Jan Blachowicz following his win over Aleksandar Rakic would be a clash with the winner of the upcoming Glover Teixeira vs. Jiri Prochazka fight, with the UFC light heavyweight title on the line.
Has Blachowicz truly earned another shot at the title? In all honesty, it’s a little debatable. The Polish fighter’s win over ‘Rocket’ did come via a knee injury, after all, but it’s arguable that he was beating Rakic before that happened, and at the end of the day, he’s still ranked at No.1 in the division.
More to the point, Blachowicz would represent an excellent test for either Teixeira or Prochazka in a title defense. Sure, Teixeira pretty much whitewashed him when they first met in the headliner of UFC 267 last year, but Blachowicz has claimed that he’d have lost to anyone that night, such was his mental state.
If Blachowicz were to fight at his best, then his striking power and solid takedown defense would make him a tricky match for the Brazilian, but a fight with the explosive Prochazka might be even better.
Both men would look for the knockout should they face off, and given that ‘Denisa’ hails from the Czech Republic, the UFC could easily headline a major show in Europe with this title bout and promote it as a huge deal.
Basically, unless Teixeira vs. Prochazka has a controversial outcome that requires a rematch, there’s no reason why Blachowicz shouldn’t face the winner next, even if the fight doesn’t happen until early 2023.
