UFC: Jon Jones says ‘tremendous’ Jan Blachowicz is worthy of a title shot after Corey Anderson knockout
- Light-heavyweight contender Blachowicz immediately confronts Jones following his ‘legendary Polish power’ KO of Anderson
- Jones says he could ‘totally see the UFC matching’ them up for his next title defence
UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones has a new challenger after contender Jan Blachowicz’s scintillating first-round knockout of Corey Anderson at UFC Fight Night 167 in New Mexico on Sunday.
Blachowicz (professional MMA record 26-8) immediately turned to Jones – who was cage-side presumably keeping an eye on the division’s contenders – demanding a title shot. Jones was seen standing up on his seat with his arms out as if to welcome his challenge.
“You know the whole world was wrong about me. I proved that I’m the best in the best in the world. Thank you Corey for the rematch. I have proved that I am the next contender for the title shot. Let’s talk about my next opponent, Jon Jones,” said Blachowicz in his post-fight interview. He had lost to Anderson (13-5) in 2015.
“You promised me that in the [shop], ‘when I meet you, you are next’. Let’s do this. Tell me when, give me the place and time,” said Blachowicz.
In a post-fight interview with ESPN MMA, the Polish veteran said: “I just need two or three weeks off, then send location … the [strategy is the] same, like today. Knock him out.
“I asked him to give me the fight. Do you agree? I met him one week before his fight in the shop, we talked about it. [I said] ‘I’m coming for you’.
When asked what unique trait he had to beat Jones (26-1) – whose only loss is by way of disqualification due to illegal elbows – Blachowicz simply said, “Legendary Polish power”, adding that he felt Jones has reached his peak and the others have “started to catch up”.
Jones, who has been the subject of several fight rumours including a move up to heavyweight, said he was impressed with Blachowicz’ headline event performance.
“I thought he looked great, he looked tremendous. Crisp boxing, great takedown defence, he just looked really good,” Jones said.
“I was happy to see Corey Anderson eat his words, he’s been talking so much trash, and then to go out there and perform the way he did.
“[Blachowicz] has great knockout power, very technical, his fundamentals are very sharp and I think he’s gonna make a great opponent. I could totally see the UFC matching us up together.
“I mean what better way to make a claim for the title than to get a knockout like that. I got a feeling the UFC is gonna give me a call real soon.”
