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Jon Jones
didn’t have any backhanded compliments or snarky remarks for
Jan
Blachowicz following the Polish standout’s title-winning
performance against Dominick
Reyes at UFC
253.
Blachowicz claimed the 205-pound belt vacated by Jones earlier this
year with a technical knockout of Reyes 4:36 into the second round
of Saturday’s co-main event on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Though
Reyes was favored thanks to a near-miss against Jones earlier this
year, Blachowicz was in control throughout, bruising his opponent’s
side with wicked body kicks before unleashing a salvo of punches
that broke Reyes’ nose and floored him in the decisive second
frame.
In his post-fight interview, Blachowicz asked for Jones to come
back to the light heavyweight division. Of course, the Jackson-Wink
MMA standout is currently preparing for a move to heavyweight. A
date for Jones’ debut in the big man’s division is currently
unknown
“Only one thing on my mind,” Blachowicz said. “Jon Jones,
where are you? Don’t be a quitter. “I’m here. This is how we do it
in Poland. I’m waiting for you.”
Jones didn’t take the bait — at least initially. First, the former
light heavyweight champion simply offered a short message of praise
for Blachowicz. However, a little later he seemed intrigued by the
notion of reclaiming the light heavyweight crown.
Jan enjoy my friend, congratulations
— BONY (@JonnyBones)
September 27, 2020
Would you guys be annoyed if I went back and
grabbed my belt real quick?— BONY (@JonnyBones)
September 27, 2020
Blachowicz’s post-fight message pleased UFC president Dana White
who said, “I’m glad that he called out Jon.”
Regardless of whether Jones vs. Blachowicz comes to fruition, the
37-year-old KSW veteran believes he had to say something to the
longtime ruler of the division.
“This is something that I prepared if I won, so I had a few words
for Jon
Jones, so I just say it,” Blachowicz said. “I hope that he
watched the fight and that he cuts his weight again and that we
meet at 205.”
For now, Blachowicz will bask in the glow of his latest victory.
After beginning his UFC career with a 2-4 mark, he has won eight of
his last nine appearances and more importantly, has kicked off a
new era in the light heavyweight division.
“I still don’t believe, but it’s here. It’s not a dream right? It
happened. I have the legendary Polish power, I proved it one more
time, amazing,” he said.
“It’s been a long journey for me, sometimes I was on the
top, then I lose a couple fights, but I never stop believing in my
skills, in my power,” he added. “Here I am, the champion. Like I
said before, even a pandemic can’t stop me right now. I feel really
great in the fight. I saw that my left kick to his body, that he
slowed down a little bit. I saw almost everything he did. In the
second round when I broke his nose, I knew that the finish will be
soon. This is something that we prepared in our gym with coaches.
On paper, we knew everything, and now in real life also. We do a
great job in the gym, I am the champion.”
