Jan Blachowicz has a championship-calibre supporter in his corner heading into a fight with Dominck Reyes for the vacant UFC light heavyweight title.
Blachowicz and Dominick Reyes will meet next month at UFC 253. The winner will hoist high the UFC light heavyweight championship recently vacated by Jon Jones. Former UFC women’s strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk is firmly in Blachowicz's corner and predicts he will take home gold on September 26.
“He does [have the skills to become champion],” Jedrzejczyk told SCMP MMA. “He was supposed to fight for this belt so many times, and I feel like he’s ready. I know he’s ready. He’s been training so hard. It’s been a while since he fought last, but I think it’s the time. I wish he was fighting Jon Jones, but the fight with Reyes is going to be a very interesting match-up, a very tough fight for both of them. It’s very, very interesting."
The vacant title fight at UFC 253 will be the first UFC title shot for Blachowicz and second for Reyes. Jedrzejczyk offered one piece of advice to Blachowicz ahead of the clash.
“Just go,” she said. “If you feel tired, it doesn’t matter how deep you are in camp, if you feel like your body wants to give up, don’t give up. Go and train, because you must be ready for everything and anything because it’s a championship bout. I know that Jan is a hard worker. He has a real fighter’s soul. He’s a warrior. Jan, go for it. Don’t give up. Fighting for the belt gives extra power to your strength, speed, timing and your mental strength. It’s super, extra motivation.”
UFC 253 takes place on Saturday, September 26 from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada with Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which streams live on ESPN+ pay-per-view.
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