With the UFC Light Heavyweight title on the line at UFC 275 between number one contender Jiří Procházka and the current light heavyweight king, Glover Teixeira, the division is in search for new contenders ready to step up once the dust settles in Singapore on June 11. That made UFC Vegas 54 the perfect way to get the division going, with what looked to be an intense main event between Jan Blachowicz and Aleksandar Rakic.
Jan Blachowicz was looking to bounce back and get in title contention with a win over Aleksandar Rakic, who has long been on the radar as the next big thing in the Light Heavyweight division. With Jan back on track after a neck injury that originally postponed this fight (which was supposed to take place in March), a win over a rising star and contender like Aleksandar Rakic could put him on the path of redemption to capture the championship he lost to Glover Teixeira at UFC 267.
Aleksandar Rakic has taken out former title contenders and looked to make a statement with a win over a former champion at UFC Vegas 54. If he could secure a win over Jan Blachowicz, there would be no denying that he could be next against either Jiří Procházka or Glover Teixeira, depending on who has the title after UFC 275.
It was a great fight between Jan Blachowicz and Aleksandar Rakic as long as it last on Saturday. It looked to be tied at a round apiece, until early on in the third, Rakic stepped back to avoid damage from Jan and unfortunately went down with what looked like a knee injury, giving Jan the TKO victory. Most likely we will see these two running this back in a rematch, but in the meantime, it’s Blachowicz coming out with the W.
PROS GIVE THEIR TAKE
Here is how the pros reacted to Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic.
Jan fighting like he wants that belt back
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) May 15, 2022
Ouch ! #UFCVegas54
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) May 15, 2022
Let’s go @JanBlachowicz Win tonight…and I’ll win Jun 11…then we run it back
— glover teixeira (@gloverteixeira) May 15, 2022
Win lose or draw @JanBlachowicz is a very inspiring dude. Let’s go polish power #UFCVegas54
— Jimmy Crute (@CruteJim) May 15, 2022
Looks like Im going to upset a couple guys pretty soon 🤷🏽♂️
— Anthony Smith (@lionheartasmith) May 15, 2022
That doesn’t look good #UFCVegas54
— Johnny Muñoz (@KidKvenbo) May 15, 2022
1-1 but I’m still rockin with Jan 💯 #UFCVegas54
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) May 15, 2022
Damn I hate to see that. Hopefully it’s not too bad.
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) May 15, 2022
Shit ending to a great fight. #UFCVegas54
— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) May 15, 2022
Fuck. Never nice seeing a fighter get badly hurt like that. Congrats to Jan and praying for a quick recovery for Rakic. #UFCVegas54 #ufc
— Johnny Walker (@JohnnyWalker) May 15, 2022
