Former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz sees no reason to bend away from an encounter with Kamaru Usman, the 170-pound titlist who sees himself making a jump to 205 soon.
Kamaru Usman, who will defend his Welterweight belt against his UFC debut opponent Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC 278 on 20th August in Utah, has planned to make a jump up two weight classes and into Light Heavyweight.
Speaking to TMZ Sports, “The Nigerian Nightmare” has stated that on making Light Heavyweight debut, he will be ready for anyone, even if its Jan Blachowicz or even the reigning 205-pound champ Jiri Prochazka.
“We’re gonna go in there and we’re completely focused on Leon Edwards,” said Usman, “But after Leon Edwards, we have our sights set on (Light Heavyweight), whether it’s Jan or whether it’s Jiří, whoever it is, that’s what we want.” [H/T MMANews.com]
Usman could have success at 205, just not with me: Jan Blachowicz
While Usman has named both Jan as well as Jiri, the latter is currently in conversations about an immediate rematch with Glover Teixeira, which potentially makes Blachowicz the more probable option for Usman.
Even though the Polish fighter, who is coming off a TKO win over Aleksandar Rakić at UFC Vegas 54, doesn’t see Usman as his first choice, but will not back away from taking the fight.
Blachowics, who met Usman at UFC 276 earlier this month, also believes that the Welterweight star has the potential to make it big at Light Heavyweight- except when they lock horns in the Octagon.
“[Kamaru Usman] is big y’know, so who knows? If he wants to do it, if not Jiri why not him?” said Blachowicz on The MMA Hour, before recalling his encounter with Usman, “… Everybody leave the arena, and I meet him, and I don’t know how it happened, it just happened.”
“He’s a big guy, but it’s also perspective. Of course [he could have success at 205], just not with me. If he were fighting me, he would lose,” the 39-year-old added. [H/T BJPenn.com]
Do you want to see Kamaru Usman making his Light Heavyweight debut against Jan Blachowicz? Who do you think wins that fight? Let us know in the comment section below.
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