Two years ago, there was significant buzz about a potential clash between former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz. Despite the hype, Usman has now dismissed the idea of fighting Blachowicz, stating that the bout holds no value for him at this stage in his career.
Usman, once the undisputed welterweight champion and a top pound-for-pound fighter, has been inactive since his short-notice middleweight fight at UFC 294 in October. In that bout, he narrowly lost to the unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev. Meanwhile, Blachowicz has also been out of action, recovering from an injury sustained during his title-eliminator fight in July against current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, which he lost via split decision.
Kamaru Usman Snubs Fight Call Out From Jan Blachowicz
Reflecting on a potential fight with Blachowicz back in 2022, Usman believed he would have matched up well against the Polish fighter: “I wouldn’t have called for 205 (pounds) if I didn’t think at that point that the style favored me and I could do it,” Usman said. “Everybody’s got power when the fight starts, but you grab their leg and you drag him down, the fight completely changes. And that’s exactly what I was gonna do. Glover Teixeira did the exact same thing to him.”
Blachowicz, eager for the fight, responded to Usman on social media. “If you still feel the same about it @USMAN84kg, let’s do it,” Blachowicz posted on his X account. “I will be ready.”
However, Usman has made it clear that he sees no benefit in pursuing this matchup now. “When he (Jan Blachowicz) was champion, I liked the matchup, because we were fighting for something,” Usman explained on his podcast. “Listen, I respect each and every UFC fighter that steps in that Octagon. And even with Jan Blachowicz, I respect him – the original ‘Polish Power.’”
Why It Makes No Sense for Usman
Usman elaborated, “I’m no longer the champion, he is no longer the champion so that fight makes absolutely no sense. It does nothing for me. If I go up there and beat Jan Blachowicz, what does that do for me? Jan, big respect, you big, strong, tough guy. I will happily decline.”
This stance from Usman highlights a strategic approach to his career at this point. With both fighters no longer holding championship titles, Usman is focused on fights that will propel him forward rather than those that merely settle old scores.
As Usman and Blachowicz continue their respective recoveries and look towards their futures in the sport, the question remains: who would win in a potential clash between these two former champions? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images and Embed from Getty Images
