Light Heavyweight Jan Blachowicz defeats Dominick Reyes
Jan Blachowicz knocks out Dominick Reyes to claim UFC gold
The second stint of “Fight Island” kicks off with UFC 253 tonight, Saturday, Sept. 26.
Headlining the pay-per-view event is a battle of undefeated fighters in UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya and the surging Paulo Costa. The first of two title fights takes place in the co-main event as Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz look to claim the vacant UFC light-heavyweight championship.
Reyes (12-1) is coming off a close and narrow defeat to Jon Jones in February at UFC 247. Many people believe Reyes beat Jones that night, but all three judges gave the fight to Jones. That is the lone loss on Reyes’ record. In the UFC, Reyes has wins over former middleweight champion Chris Weidman and former title challengers Volkan Oezdemir and Ovince Saint Preux.
Blachowicz (26-8) is looking to become the first person from Poland to claim UFC gold since Joanna Jedrzejczyk ruled over the strawweight division from 2015-2017. Blachowicz had a rough start to his UFC career, but he’s been red hot as of late by winning three fights in a row and seven of his past eight. During this stretch, Blachowicz recorded wins over former UFC and Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold and former Strikeforce middleweight champ Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza.
Here’s how their fight went down at UFC 253, including round-by-round scoring. For a full list of results, check them out here.
Round 1
Blachowicz records the first strike of the fight with a kick to the leg. Reyes then returns two kicks. Slow start to this one.
Reyes goes for a bomb and Blachowicz just gets his head out of the way.
Blachowicz with a beautiful kick to the body of Reyes.
You can tell both fighters respect the other ones power. Very calculated approach by both men so far.
Blachowicz is having success with a combo where he goes upstairs with a punch and then rips a body kick. Reyes’ ribs are marked up from those kicks to the body.
Calculated opening frame with Blachowicz being more active and landing the crisper clean shots. He takes the opening round
MyMMANews scores it 10-9 Blachowicz
Round 2
Reyes comes out aggressive and tries throwing two quick punches.
Blachowicz then comes forward and throwing some power shots. Nothing really lands from either fighter in those opening exchanges.
Reyes with a nice front kick to the Blachowicz’s body.
Blachowicz lands a big right hand that snuck through the defense of Reyes. Blachowicz’s power has been felt by Reyes.
Reyes starting to try and open the offense up and just missed another big shot.
Blachowicz gets another kick to the body and Reyes’ ribs look nasty.
Blachowicz lands a huge shot and wobbles Reyes and made blood come gushing from Reyes’ nose. Once he had Reyes hurt he smelt blood and went in for the kill and he got it. Poland has another champ and his name is Jan Blachowicz.
Official Result: Jan Blachowicz defeats Dominick Reyes by second-round TKO (4:36)
