What an interestingly monumental and historical bout last night's UFC 259 main event was!
The main event consisted of two champions facing off for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Current Light Heavyweight Champion Jan Blachowicz versus Current Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya.
Izzy was the favorite to most of the general public and the betting favorite as well. Izzy has ruled middleweight division with relative ease in recent times and has quickly become a star in the UFC. MOST casuals thought this was going to be an easy dub and that Izzy was going to become a Champ-Champ, a highly sought after title.
This fight was eerie as it approached. Most of the time when a fighter is seeking double champ status it's a massive fight, highly publicized. Couple that with the fact that Izzy is a big star, I kind of felt like this fight would have had more hype to it. There was a fair amount of hype, but it still felt like there was something off when it came to the hypeness level. Maybe because Izzy was really humble leading up. Maybe because there was two other title fights on this card. Maybe because Jan was a legit threat to Izzy. There also was zero animosity between Jan and Izzy.
Who knows what it was, but the energy was different. As a fight fan though, this fight was seriously intriguing and epic. The eerieness of the fight leading up made fight time feel really serious and intense.
Overall I like Izzy but I do find that his public persona flip flops a lot. He's nice, then rude then back again. He's cocky then humble. Charismatic, and then reserved. Maybe I'm nitpicking. Overall he seems cool and real and at times insightful. He is great and very fun to watch.
But man was I pulling for Jan to win! He was the underdog and underestimated champion, going up against the promotion's cocky, undefeated, champion golden boy.
Izzy constantly says that muscles don't win fights. That dumb logic might get you far in kickboxing and boxing but MMA ain't those sports homeboy. Size and strength matters in MMA, obviously it's not singularly the most important thing, but it most definitely matters. Izzy literally didn't even bother putting on muscle for this bout as he weighed in at 200 or so pounds when people normally weigh in at the 205 pound limit. While Izzy was mostly reserved in this fight certain comments and certain actions showed his at least mild arrogance. Of course Izzy didn't wanna bulk up since he still wants to maintain his championship at middleweight, but still.
Jan was clearly the more powerful and strong guy. This was something I knew before the fight. I was so hoping Jan would establish that fact in this fight. Jan has awesome strength and power. I still feel that the damage he dealt to Dominick Reyes's ribs was legendary. Especially during a title fight! Dom's ribs were messed up!
The fight itself was awesome! Izzy was doing his thing for the most part. The first three rounds were like a stalemate with Izzy taking 2 of the first three. Mostly stand-up.
Despite Joe Rogan getting a boner over Izzy's feints the first three rounds were highly competitive. Jan was performing well right with Izzy and was out-striking Izzy at times. Commentator Joe Rogan was just in awe of Izzy's feints for some weird reason. Apparently feints win fights to Joe. Joe was just oozing about how much Jan was reacting to Izzy's feints.
Should Jan not react at all Joe? Joe was thinking that Izzy was gonna end up 'trapping' Jan. Like is it really that deep Joe? I would understand if maybe Jan was losing the center of the octagon or something, but that was definitely not happening.
Anyway. Izzy edged out two of those first two rounds. Very competitive though.
The final two rounds Jan beautifully came through in the clutch and showed Izzy the other side of MMA. In the last two rounds Jan got two awesome takedowns and controlled Izzy with ease. In the last round Jan let off some serious ground and pound.
If you still think takedowns and top control is not a relevant skill, do me a favor please. Look in the mirror and paint yourself with clown makeup, because you sir are a clown. Or at least a kickboxing fan in denial.
You know why top control and grappling control is important and a big MMA skill?
If we're in the woods and happen to be alone, one on one, fighting to the death and I can take you down, and lay on top of you and control you, who has the higher chance of living? I can control you and keep you still and just smother you until exhaustion. Wanna just lay there and conserve energy? So will I obviously. Sure there are other variables and factors but top man has a much better chance at survival.
Anyway, since Jan controlled the majority of the final two rounds that makes it 3-2 Jan with the victory and beats the undefeated Middleweight champ.
Jan landed more strikes, more significant strikes, and obviously was the much better grappler.
It was an intense bout between two highly skilled athletes.
Jan remains Champ! Jan might be champ for awhile!
Izzy is not a bad grappled I guess, but he's not that good. Couple that with the fact that Jan is the heavier man and a Jiu-Jitsu black belt, it was just a tough situation for Izzy.
I believe Jan could be a threat to beating Jon Jones if Jones ever returns to Light Heavyweight. Jan beat Reyes with MUCH more conviction that Jon did. I know that's MMA math which isn't always reliable, but it's still interesting.
Jan's reign at Light Heavyweight has been really exciting so far. He's quickly become one of my favorite fighters.
He had some losses in his UFC career early on. But he's clearly bounced back in a big way! He's learned his lessons and got better. Very inspiring stuff!
Jan is a threat and I can't wait until his next fight.
No matter what, I will always remember him destroying Reyes's ribs and handing Izzy his first MMA loss!
Polish Power! :)
