Jan Blachowicz celebrates in the octagon following his win over Israel Adesanya at UFC 259.
Jan Blachowicz defeats Israel Adesanya, still light heavyweight champ
Three title fights are going down at UFC 259 this Saturday, March 6.
The main event is when two champions will collide as the middleweight king, Israel Adesanya challenges the light-heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowicz at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The reigning women’s bantamweight and featherweight champion Amanda Nunes welcomes Australia’s Megan Anderson in the co-main event.
Bantamweight titleholder Peter Yan makes his first defense against the surging Aljamain Sterling in the first championship bout of the evening.
Our main event is champion vs. champion, as Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya moves up in weight to challenge the light heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowicz.
The challenger, Adesanya has yet to taste defeat in his mixed martial arts career. After capturing the title in 2019, Adesanya defended his title twice before stepping up to vie for his chance to be champ-champ. He last appeared in the UFC octagon in September when he defended his middleweight strap against then-undefeated Paulo Costa.
Light heavyweight champ Jan Blachowicz has had his ups and downs in his UFC career. Blachowicz has seemingly found his rhythm, currently riding a 4 fight win streak. After capturing light-heavyweight gold in his last bout against Dominick Reyes, Blachowicz will be defending his title for the first time tonight against Adesanya.
Here is how the light heavyweight championship bout between Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya and Jan Blachowicz went down at UFC 259, including round-by-round scoring. For full results, check them out right here.
Round 1: Blachowicz leads the contest with leg kicks. Blachowicz follows with a push kick. Adesanya takes his time with his feeling out process. The first minute is lacking action. Adesanya fires a hard leg kick. Adesanya starts finding his hands a home upstairs. Adesanya finds success on multiple occasions with his straight left. Blachowicz misses a head kick and puts pressure on with his punches. Adesanya resets and gets back to work. Blachowicz attempts a head kick that Adesanya easily blocks. Adesanya’s left hand continues to find a home as the round progresses as he picks up the pace to close the round with thunderous leg kicks.
MyMMANews scores round 1 for Israel Adesanya. 10-9
Round 2: Both fighters look hesitant to commit. They let their hands go and Adesanya lands the better of the exchange. Both fighters are switching up their strikes effectively. Blachowicz lands a punch upstairs that backs Adesanya up a few steps. Blachowicz follows with hard kicks and punches. Adesanya looks to gets back into the match, successfully utilizing his reach and keeping Blachowicz on the outside, picking his shots. Adesanya attempts to keep his range, with an accidental poke to the light heavyweight champion, Blachowicz. The action continues. Adesanya fires a kick and fading away, opening Blachowicz up to a cup shot. Blachowicz takes a moment and is ready to get back to work. Blachowicz bites on Adesanya’s feints time and time again but keeps the round competitive with his punches and power.
MyMMANews scores round 2 for Jan Blachowicz. 10-9
Round 3: Blachowicz looks for a single leg early in the round. Adesanya is able to escape and lands a clean punch only to eat a hard right hand in return from Blachowicz. Both fighters clash during a barrage of punches. Blachovich transitions into a takedown with ease. The light heavyweight champ, Blachowicz keeps busy from the side, peppering Adesanya with short shots. Blachowicz works from half guard to side control back to half guard. He lands some hard punches on Adesanya to draw a close to the round, controlling most of the round on top.
MyMMANews scores round 3 for Israel Adesanya. 10-9
Round 4: Blachowicz looks for a single leg early in the round. Adesanya is able to escape and lands a clean punch only to eat a hard right hand in return from Blachowicz. Both fighters clash during a barrage of punches. Blachovich transitions into a takedown with ease. The light heavyweight champ, Blachowicz keeps busy from the side, peppering Adesanya with short shots. Blachowicz works from half guard to side control back to half guard. He lands some hard punches on Adesanya to draw a close to the round, controlling most of the round on top.
MyMMANews scores round 4 for Jan Blachowicz. 10-9
Round 5: Blachowicz lands an inside leg kick and straight right hand start the round. Adesanya looks visibly more exhausted this round. Adesanya is getting back in control with his striking from the outside. Blachowicz blitzes with another combination from the outside. Adesanya escapes any severe damage and resets. Adesanya lands two-piece upstairs. Blachowicz is looking to wear, breathing heavily. Adesanya lands another hard punch into a spinning back kick. Blachowicz times another takedown perfectly and elevates Adesanya, crashing him to the canvas. Blachowicz is clearly comfortable coasting on top, peppering Adesanya. Adesanya is desperately trying to get back to his feet but is trapped under the bigger man. Blachowicz continues to batter the middleweight champion with ground and pound. With 10 seconds left, Blachowics explodes into full mount, blasting Adesanya with punches until the final bell. MyMMANews scores round 5 for Jan Blachowicz. 10-9
Official Result: Jan Blachowicz defeats Israel Adesanya via unanimous decision. (49-46) (49-45) (49 45)
