Jan Blachowicz foresees “problems” for Israel Adesanya at light heavyweight

UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz has sent a warning to UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya.

Blachowicz is expected to defend his title against Adesanya sometime in the first quarter of the new year. Ahead of the fight, which will mark Blachowicz’s first title defense and Adesanya’s debut in the division, the light heavyweight champ has some words of caution for his rival.

“All my life I’m in this category so I know everything about this category. Everything is different,” Blachowicz told MMA Fighting, warning that Adesanya might be in over his head at light heavyweight. “Cardio is different. Timing is different. Speed is different. You can train with heavyweight guys, you can train with 205 guys but this is training. A fight is completely different.

“When guys change their category, they’ve got problems with that, problems with everything,” Blachowicz added. “Not everyone can be ready for that. We will see.”

Adesanya has looked nearly unstoppable since joining the UFC roster—particularly since he captured the middleweight title. Blachowicz says it’s possible the champion will perform well at light heavyweight, but definitely has his doubts.

“Maybe Adesanya will be ready for that but I don’t think so,” Blachowicz said. “If he wants to make his first fight at 205, with the champion, it’s going to be a problem for him.

“I think it would better for him, safer for him if he makes first fight with someone from the contenders, not in the top of the rankings but someone from behind.

“That’s going to be a problem for him, not for me. If he wants to feel the legendary Polish power, I’m going to be ready for his pretty style.”

While Blachowicz is expected to defend his title against Adesanya next, it’s also possible the next light heavyweight title shot will go to Glover Teixeira, who is riding five-straight wins at light heavyweight. Blachowicz says he’s open to that fight, too.

“It’s good. Because I don’t like when my life is boring,” Blachowicz said. “I like when something happens all the time. Now I’ve got two opponents. I can fight both of them in one night, no problem. I do this before. I did three fights in one night. I’m joking. They are good fighters, it would be hard to make this happen. I don’t like to choose my opponents.

“We’ll see what the UFC [says], if they tell me you’re next fight is going to be Glover, I will sign that no problem. If they tell me your next opponent is Adesanya, I will sign that also. I don’t like to choose. If they want to give me Glover, no problem. If they want to give me Adesanya, no problem.”

What do you think of these comments from Jan Blachowicz?