UFC 253: Jan Blachowicz breaks Dominick Reyes’ nose in second-round TKO to claim light heavyweight title
- Polish 37-year-old calls out Jon Jones after winning vacant title on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi
- ‘There’s only one thing on my mind. I’m here, this is how we do it in Poland. I am waiting for you,’ says Blachowicz
Jan Blachowicz broke Dominick Reyes’ nose, and then his spirit, on his way to claiming the vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 253 with a second-round TKO on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.
“Jon Jones where are you?” said the Polish 37-year-old (27-8). “There’s only one thing on my mind. I’m here, this is how we do it in Poland. I am waiting for you.”
It will have been a bitter pill to swallow for Reyes (12-2), who was still receiving medical treatment on the ground while Blachowicz was giving his post-fight interview in the Octagon.
Jon Jones had reigned over this division for the best part of nine years, give or take a couple of Usada suspensions which opened the door for Daniel Cormier to show similar dominance.
But Jones’ move up to the heavyweight division, vacating the title in the process, gave a stagnant division sudden life, with Reyes – who pushed Jones further than perhaps any foe in recent years – looking to “right a wrong” after his controversial decision defeat by “Bones” in February.
It was a cautious start by both men, understandably. Blachowicz looked to be waiting for Reyes to swing and counter, leaving a big mark on the American’s ribs with a sledgehammer of a kick.
Reyes came out more aggressive in the second round, looking to get the respect of the Pole. But Blachowicz’s leg kick to the body kept landing.
The two began swinging with abandon with a minute left in the round, but Blachowicz started throwing some serious power, busting up Reyes’ nose and then dropping him late on before raining down some ground and pound and getting the finish at 4:36.
“You know this is nothing new for me. I am 37 years old with a lot of fights. It’s just fun. Soon I am going to be a father and this is something good, it’s what I’m afraid [of] the most. I’m really happy,” Blachowicz added.
“We have really good sparring partners in our gym, really good southpaw kick-boxers so I was ready for everything. I feel great today. Abu Dhabi is made for me.”
