Matchmaker Monday following UFC Rio Rancho – What’s next?
Wow! What a difference a week makes. A lot people were calling for a Jon Jones and Dominick Reyes rematch, but now Jan Blachowicz has won over a number of fans.
Blachowicz made a statement as he avenged a loss to Corey Anderson by getting a with his huge knockout at UFC Rio Rancho. Will his statement win be enough for Blachowicz to step inside the cage against Jon Jones? Let’s breakdown what’s next for Blachowicz and Anderson on this Match Maker Monday.
Jan Blachowicz, light heavyweight
Result: defeated Corey Anderson via first-round KO
Next: Jon Jones
Not only did Blachowicz pick up a huge win at UFC Rio Rancho, but he got to do it with Jones in the front row. The benefit of winning with Jones in attendance, is that now there’s video for the UFC to drop a promo.
The ball is now in the hands of the UFC as whether or not to give Blachowicz the title shot. Personally, I scored the Jones and Reyes fight 3-2 in favor of Jones, so I have no problem with the decision and therefore lead towards Blachowicz to get the next crack at Jones.
One thing to note with Blachowicz is that he is absolutely deserving of the shot. He’s won seven of his past eight fights. Two of those wins came against former middleweight world champions Luke Rockhold and Jacare Souza.
Corey Anderson, light heavyweight
Result: lost to Jan Blachowicz via first-round KO
Next: Volkan Oezdemir
What a blow for Anderson. He really wanted a title fight and now he’s going to have to do some work to get one.
However, one thing he has going for him is that he won’t drop terribly in the rankings. He’ll be ranked around Oezdemir so let the two square off with the winner earning a fight against a top five opponent.
