Jan Blachowicz believes short-notice five-round fight at UFC 282 is good for him

Jan Blachowicz will face Magomed Ankalaev for the recently vacated light heavyweight title at UFC 282.

The No.2-ranked light heavyweight had previously been set to fight in the co-main event. Due to then-reigning champion Jiri Prochazka vacating the 205lbs title due to a serious shoulder injury, Blachowicz and Ankalaev were bumped up to fight in the main event for the vacant championship.

Blachowicz, however, shared that the fight changing from three to five rounds will work in his favor.

Speaking to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Blachowicz discussed the change, stating:

"For me, better, because if the fight goes longer, I feel better. So I'm happy with that because that was the big concern. For me, the worst thing was that I'm going to have three rounds. I don't remember when I fought three rounds last time."

Blachowicz continued:

"When I started training for battle again, a three-round fight that was worse for me because I start to do a very good job in the third round. So I need to wake up a little bit earlier, change everything, so five rounds is better for me."

Blachowicz, who held the light heavyweight title for just over a year, was set to fight Ankalaev in a three-round co-main event bout. Instead, the fight has been promoted to a five-round main event title fight.

Watch Jan Blachowicz discuss his UFC 282 fight now being five rounds below (starting at the 2:31:05 mark):

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Jan Blachowicz shares his thoughts on Jiri Prochazka's decision to vacate the title

Jiri Prochazka was set to defend his light heavyweight title for the first time at UFC 282 in a highly anticipated rematch against Glover Teixeira.

However, Prochazka was forced to withdraw from the bout due to an injury. He subsequently made the decision to vacate the title, noting that he did not want to hold up the division.

Jan Blachowicz, who has benefitted tremendously from the decision, took to Twitter to express respect for Prochazka, stating:

"That was the craziest several hours ever. I left Warsaw to take part in the eliminator match, and a few hours later I've arrived as a title challenger. I'm ready. Keep fingers crossed. @jiri_bjp - huge respect for your conduct! Get well! #UFC282"

Check out Jan Blachowicz's tweet regarding the UFC 282 lineup change below:

While Teixeira was initially offered Magomed Ankalaev as a replacement opponent for the light heavyweight title, he turned down the opportunity noting that he didn't have enough time to prepare.

Instead, the No.1-ranked light heavyweight wanted to face Blachowicz, whom he had defeated to capture the light heavyweight title at UFC 267 or wait until UFC 283 to fight. With a title fight needed for UFC 282, the doors were opened for Blachowicz to attempt to reclaim the light heavyweight throne.