Jan Blachowicz doesn’t do a lot of talking, but he made a statement at UFC Rio Rancho with his knockout of Corey Anderson — with Jon Jones in attendance.
It’s impossible to look at the UFC Rio Rancho main event without a healthy dose of speculation. While the promotion had never come right out and said it, most saw Corey Anderson vs. Jan Blachowicz as a number one contender’s bout. What else could it be, given the state of the 205lb division?
Jon Jones was in attendance for this one. Whether he’d fight the winner was anyone’s guess.
Anderson held center early, showing head and hand movement, keeping Blachowicz on the outside. The key to victory for Anderson, as it had been in the pair’s first fight, was wrestling. So it wasn’t long before Corey closed the distance, but Blachowicz escaped. On the feet, Blachowicz connected with a punch, but Anderson answered back. No question, from their first fight in 2015, his standup had improved. Blachowicz connected with a left. No effect shown by Anderson. But moments later, the Polish fighter would put Corey Anderson down, and change the course of the conversation.
BIG right! @JanBlachowicz gets redemption at #UFCRioRancho! pic.twitter.com/s7A8WgEXDg
— UFC (@ufc) February 16, 2020
A right hand by Blachowicz floored Anderson, as Anderson was coming in. A follow-up strike was barely necessary. Anderson was out. Blachowicz went right over the Jon Jones, and signaled that he wanted the next shot. Jones, for his part, was up on his feet applauding, and seemingly accepting the challenge.
Post-fight, Blachowicz told Daniel Cormier that Jones had once promised him a title shot. Time will tell if he gets it, or if Jones opts to pursue a fight at heavyweight.
Official Result: Jan Blachowicz def. Corey Anderson by knockout, Round 1, 3:08
