Just how good is Jan Blachowicz?

[Shay Brennan]

I rewatched the fight with Adesanya quite a few times by now, but it's still unbelievable how Jan beat him at his own game.
Adesanya was supposed to be the best striker in UFC today if not in UFC history.

And the fact that he outstriked him while being 38 years old, 3 years past his pyhisical prime.

Then he goes on and easily outstrikes a physical specimen in Rakic in round 1.
After that he nearly leg kick TKOed Ankalaev.

As for his next fight, I'm expecting a TKO victory.
3 MW fighters have tried to move up to LHW before Pereira and all of them failed because of Jan.

 

[Davidjacksonjones]

He's pretty good. Black belt in BJJ, many achievements in Muay Thai and former LHW champ

 

[VAfan]

meh. that's just size making a difference. izzy isn't exactly a hulking MW and jan is a big boy.

 

[ragreynolds]

Quite underrated, I think. For some reason, people think he beat Izzy due to wrestling, but as you pointed out in the OP, he was actually outstriking Izzy prior to ever going for a takedown. He's obviously very very good.

 

[Arm Barbarian]

He's good enough to be champ. Nothing flashy or extraordinary in terms of technique, but tough as hell with good hands, decent wrestling, and can take a shot to give one.

 

[ragreynolds]

meh. that's just size making a difference. izzy isn't exactly a hulking MW and jan is a big boy.

I think that argument works when talking about the wrestling exchanges in rounds 4 and 5 of their fight, but it doesn't really explain much how Jan was outstriking Izzy before that. Poatan is also much bigger than Izzy, but Izzy has outstruck him consistently in almost every one of their fights. It was the power that made a difference there. But with Jan, he was actually beating Izzy head-to-head in a technical stand-up battle.

 

[dittohead84]

He's doing ok in the ufc

 

[VAfan]

I think that argument works when talking about the wrestling exchanges in rounds 4 and 5 of their fight, but it doesn't really explain much how Jan was outstriking Izzy before that. Poatan is also much bigger than Izzy, but Izzy has outstruck him consistently in almost every one of their fights. It was the power that made a difference there. But with Jan, he was actually beating Izzy head-to-head in a technical stand-up battle.

jan's a good striker for sure. it was definitely an impressive result. but there's also the reach to think about - don't know what the difference was in that fight, but it was probably in jan's favor.

 

[SeattleFightFan]

Pretty crazy that his great run was ruined by Glover's equally great run, but then Glover never won again.

It's been a crazy 3 years at LHW. And Jiri subbing Glover after being down 3 rounds to 1 is about the craziest.

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

I think he can beat Poatan. So does that mean he's at least pretty decent?

 

[kfighter]

Not that good

 

[ragreynolds]

jan's a good striker for sure. it was definitely an impressive result. but there's also the reach to think about - don't know what the difference was in that fight, but it was probably in jan's favor.

Poatan's reach is listed as 79"
Jan's is 78"
Izzy's is 80"

I just don't think the size argument stacks up when it comes to breaking down why Jan was able to do so well standing vs Izzy. Poatan literally has a longer reach than him, is likely the bigger guy, and is the more accomplished striker, yet Jan outstruck Izzy easier than Poatan did.

 

[kingghidrah]

And the fact that he outstriked him while being 38 years old, 3 years past his pyhisical prime.

Waaat? I heard Izzy was "piecing him up" in the standup

 

[TheNinja]

Very good

 

[Dreyga_King of Sherbums]

meh. that's just size making a difference. izzy isn't exactly a hulking MW and jan is a big boy.

I'm biggest Izzy nut rider here and even I can admit size wasn't what gave Jan the striking advantage.

Jan is world class striker who is criminally underrated. The threat of the takedown played a role but that win was mostly because he's team an incredible game plan

That said the striking in each round was alot closer than many here will admit.

jan's a good striker for sure. it was definitely an impressive result. but there's also the reach to think about - don't know what the difference was in that fight, but it was probably in jan's favor.

Adesanya had a two inch reach ADVANTAGE against Jan

 

[VAfan]

I'm biggest Izzy nut rider here and even I can admit size wasn't what gave Jan the striking advantage. He is world class striker who is criminally underrated.



Adeanya had a five inch reach ADVANTAGE against Jan

guy above says two.

 

[Dreyga_King of Sherbums]

guy above says two.

He's right. I'm wrong

 

[humdizzle]

Waaat? I heard Izzy was "piecing him up" in the standup

lmao the commentary was hilarious on that fight

rogan--- "omg adesanya has jan biting on every feint!"

 

[HatKick]

Amazing forever underrated striker. The "Polish power" narrative almost did him a disservice because it took away from the technicality and intelligence of his style. Adesanya vs Blachowicz was marketed as technique vs brute power which was nonsense (looking at you, Rogan). But not the most well rounded fighter. Tends to get taken down and grapplefucked by any decent grappler these days, and his stamina seems to be declining.
I wouldn't be that surprised if he outstrikes Pereira but he should mix in some wrestling to maximize his chances.

 

[HaulParris]

He did better than OK in UFC. I give him much respect.