Jan Blachowicz threw cold water on middleweight champion Israel Adesanya’s dreams adding the light heavyweight strap at UFC 259.
While Blachowicz (28-8-0) struggled with the striking of Adesanya (20-1-0), the “Polish Power” used his grappling and strength advantages to take down “Stylebender” and pile up important points en route to a 49-46, 49-45, 49-45, unanimous decision win.
Rounds 4 and 5 were critical for Blachowicz, as the striking of Adesanya was taking over the contest when Blachowicz takedowns wrestled control of the bout to his favour.
With the win, Blachowicz has now won five straight and defends his belt for the first time since winning it at UFC 253 last September.
Adesanya suffered the first professional loss of his career, but remains the UFC middleweight champion. He stated in the post-fight press conference that he will return to the middleweight division unbowed.
Debuts and comebacks earn an extra 50K 💵
💰: @UrketaraKeta | @KaiKaraFrance
[ B2YB @P3Protein ] pic.twitter.com/wAgXksfzUu
— UFC (@ufc) March 7, 2021
Kai Kara-France and Uros Medic earned performances of the night, while Kennedy Nzechukwu and Carlos Ulberg earned Fight of the Night. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus
Gave it their all 'til the end 💵 Nzechukwu-Ulberg takes Fight of the Night!
[ B2YB @ToyoTires ] pic.twitter.com/6h3TsM1mdw
— UFC (@ufc) March 7, 2021
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the card.
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS
MARIO BAUTISTA VS. TREVIN JONES
FIVE ⭐️!
🇬🇺 @TrevinAJones opens the night with STYLE.
[ #UFC259 – LIVE on @UFCFightPass & #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/Zj1xk4pb31
— UFC (@ufc) March 6, 2021
WINNER: TREVIN JONES VIA TKO R2 0:40
ANDREWS PREDICTION: TREVIN JONES VIA TKO
Andrews: Wow! Another nice finish, this time don’t pop for mariuana, Trevin.
UROS MEDIC VS. AALON CRUZ
THE DOCTOR WILL SEE YOU NOW 🥼 #UFC259 pic.twitter.com/DDIDP3KHsG
— UFC (@ufc) March 6, 2021
WINNER: UROS MEDIC VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R1 1:40
ANDREWS PREDICTION: UROS MEDIC VIA TKO
Andrews: ‘The Doctor’ went to work fast!
#15 LIVIA RENATA SOUZA VS. AMANDA LEMOS
DROPPED WITH A JAB 💥
🇧🇷 Lemos was in control from minute one!
[ 📱 LIVE on @UFCFightPass, ESPN2, #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/k6i3SmwN1d
— UFC (@ufc) March 6, 2021
WINNER: AMANDA LEMOS VIA TKO (STRIKES) R1 3:39
ANDREWS PREDICTION: LIVIA RENATA SOUZA VIA UD
Andrews: Lemos’ striking is on point. Well done.
SEAN BEADY VS. JAKE MATTHEWS
PHILLY TOUGH.
🔔 @SeanBradyMMA locks in the RD 3 sub!
[ LIVE on @UFCFightPass, ESPN2, #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/vF2Eq8M1nO
— UFC (@ufc) March 6, 2021
WINNER: SEAN BRADY VIA SUBMISSION (ARM-TRIANGLE CHOKE) R1 3:39
ANDREWS PREDICTION: SEAN BRADY VIA UD
Andrews: An impressive win for Brady taking down the former prospect in Matthews.
KENNEDY NZECHUKWU VS. CARLOS ULBERG
OUT COLD. Kennedy Nzechukwu connects with a BOMB to end it 😱
[ 📱 LIVE on Fight Pass, ESPN2, #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/r8A0HnGknt
— UFC (@ufc) March 7, 2021
WINNER: KENNEDY NZECHUKWU VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R2 3:19
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CARLOS ULBERG VIA TKO
Andrews: Wow! Amazing fight and full marks to both fighter. Kennedy gets the big win.
#12 TIM ELLIOTT VS. JORDAN ESPINOSA
Wouldn't give an inch…@TElliott125 shuts out Espinosa on the scorecards 📝 #UFC259 pic.twitter.com/1ydIwVPnco
— UFC (@ufc) March 7, 2021
WINNER: TIM ELLIOTT VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-25)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: TIM ELLIOTT VIA UD
Andrews: Elliott outworked Jordan.
ESPN PRELIMS
#8 ROGERIO BONTORIN VS. #8 KAI KARA-FRANCE
WHAT IS HAPPENING!? 🤯
🇳🇿 @KaiKaraFrance just delivered with one heck of a comeback!
[ LIVE on @UFCFightPass, ESPN2, #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/Gn2zS6f2Ap
— UFC (@ufc) March 7, 2021
WINNER: KAI KARA-FRANCE VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R1 4:55
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ROGERIO BONTORIN VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: A little confusion at the end, as Bontorin was knocked into next week. Herb Dean seems to be in the middle of these as of late, right or wrong.
#2 JOSEPH BENAVIDEZ VS. #3 ASKAR ASKAROV
They're trading in RD 2 but @Askar_MMA connects clean 💥 #UFC259 pic.twitter.com/AQpgiDbjPU
— UFC (@ufc) March 7, 2021
WINNER: ASKAR ASKAROV VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-25)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ASKAR ASKAROV VIA UD
Andrews: Benavidez needs to retire. Now.
#14 SONG YADONG VS. KYLER PHILLIPS
HOW DIDN'T HE FALL!? 😳 #UFC259 pic.twitter.com/Eubdl0KgA4
— UFC (@ufc) March 7, 2021
WINNER: KYLER PHILLIPS VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
ANDRES PREDICTION: SONG YADONG VIA UD
Andrews: Phillips outworked Yadong for the good win.
#11 DOMINICK CRUZ VS. CASEY KENNEY
They're opening up in the final minutes! 🍿 #UFC259 pic.twitter.com/aFm08wLFvR
— UFC (@ufc) March 7, 2021
WINNER: DOMINICK CRUZ VIA SD (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: DOMINICK CRUZ VIA UD
Andrews: Both fighters looked good. Good win for Cruz.
MAIN CARD
#2 THIAGO SANTOS VS. #4 ALEKSANDAR RAKIC
Competitive at 205! How did you score it? 🖋
[ Watch the #UFC259 PPV: https://t.co/RtY8CF7PWc ] pic.twitter.com/W80EZGneDS
— UFC (@ufc) March 7, 2021
WINNER: ALEKSANDAR RAKIC VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ALEKSANDAR RAKIC VIA TKO
Andrews: Rakic was just too big for Santos.
#14 ISLAM MAKHACHEV VS. DREW DOBER
THE REAL DEAL!
🇷🇺 @MakhachevMMA displayed why he has top five potential.
[ Watch the #UFC259 PPV: https://t.co/RtY8CF7PWc ] pic.twitter.com/rAT87BkQRO
— UFC (@ufc) March 7, 2021
WINNER: ISLAM MAKHACHEV VIA SUBMISSION (ARM-TRIANGLE CHOKE) R3 1:37
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ISLAM MAKHACHEV VIA UD
Andrews: Dominant win by Islam. As expected.
PETR YAN VS. #1 ALJAMAIN STERLING
That is it. #UFC259 pic.twitter.com/xEyNYSkl9C
— UFC (@ufc) March 7, 2021
WINNER: ALJAMAIN STERLING VIA DQ (ILLEGAL KNEE) R4 4:29
ANDREWS PREDICTION PETR YAN VIA UD
Andrews: This is where bad communication can have consequences. Yan was told by his corner to strike Sterling. Bad advice, if that is accurate. They will have to run it back.
AMANDA NUNES VS. MEGAN ANDERSON
GOAT STATUS.
🏆🏆 @Amanda_Leoa didn't need long! #UFC259 pic.twitter.com/LADS0snV0b
— UFC (@ufc) March 7, 2021
WINNER: AMANDA NUNES VIA SUBMISSION (ARMBAR) R1 2:03
ANDREWS PREDICTION: AMANDA NUNES VIA TKO
Andrews: Nunes was just too powerful and skilled.
MAIN EVENT
JAN BLACHOWICZ VS. ISRAEL ADESANYA
WE NEED THOSE SCORECARDS ASAP 📝 #UFC259 pic.twitter.com/reG8UG0QD3
— UFC (@ufc) March 7, 2021
WINNER: JAN BLACHOWICZ VIA UD (49-46, 49-46, 49-45)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ISRAEL ADESANYA VIA UD
JOHN SALVITTI PREDICTION: ISRAEL ADESANYA VIA UD
Andrews: Well, Jan used the takedowns and being the bigger guy to his advantage. Izzy did well on the feet, but he couldn’t get off the ground.
@kenaiandrews
