In the main event of UFC 259, we had the light heavyweight title fight that people have been talking about for months. Middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya (20-0), was moving up to challenge the champion, Jan Blachowicz (27-8).
There might not be a bigger superstar in the UFC right now than Israel Adesanya. The Last Stylebender has everything you’re looking for in a star. He’s a champion, he’s undefeated, he’s flashy, and he’s extremely charismatic.
The man is also incredibly slick when he’s in the cage. Adesanya has risen through and cleaned out the UFC‘s middleweight division on his way to being champion. Having gone through the middleweights, Adesanya was looking for a new challenge which is where Jan Blachowicz enters the picture.
Blachowicz is truly a remarkable fighter. Just a few years ago, Blachowicz was 2-4 in the UFC. He looked like he was going to get cut, however, that’s when he turned his career around. With a new focus, Blachowicz has gone 8-1 in his last night fights.
The culmination for Blachowicz came at UFC 253 when he fought Dominick Reyes. Many considered Reyes to be the uncrowned champion and Blachowicz went out there and knocked him out. Blachowicz was looking to show the world that his Polish Power can stop even the best of strikers.
UFC 259 Recap
Round 1
The UFC 259 main event opened with a leg kick from Adesanya. Blachowicz tried a couple of leg kicks of his own, but Adesanya slides out of the way. Blachowicz pushed forward trying to close the distance.
Adesanya was patient just trying to get the timing down. A couple of nice kicks land for Adesanya. Blachowicz pushes forward with big shots, but nothing lands. Two minutes in and nothing significant has landed for either champion.
Blachowicz again tries to close the distance, but can’t land. Adesanya throws a headkick that gets blocked. A nice jab to the body lands for Blachowicz. A big headkick is thrown by Blachowicz, but Adesanya blocks it. However, it was powerful.
A nice 1-2 lands for Adesanya. This is a very high level chess match in the first round. A good body kick lands for Blachowicz. A good front kick lands for Adesanya. Blachowicz pushes forward and lands a nice body kick. Round one comes to a close and I’m not sure which UFC champion takes the first. I lean Adesanya.
Round 2
The second round at UFC 259 started and both men were still feeling the other out. A nice body kick lands for Blachowicz to start the striking. The pace appears to be picking up a little her in the second.
Blachowicz is landing more, but he’s a little out of range. A nice check left hooks lands for Blachowicz. A nice stiff left lands for Adesanya and Blachowicz storms forward with big shots. A powerful jab lands for Blachowicz.
Jab to the body lands for Blachowicz, and now Adesanya is opening up a little. Adesanya moving forward with more pressure here in the second. A nice low kick lands for Adesanya. The two men come together in a clinch and Blachowicz tries for a takedown.
However, Adesanya defends well and they stay standing. Blachowicz pushes forward trying to land bombs, but nothing big lands. A nice body kick and left straight lands for Adesanya. One minute left in this round and it’s up for grabs.
Stiff jab lands for Adesanya and Blachowicz blitzes again. Good body kick lands for Blachowicz. A couple of nice low kicks land for Adesanya. Good jab and leg kick lands for Adesanya. Round two comes to a close and I think it’s 1-1 at UFC 259.
Round 3
Third round opens with immediate pressure from the UFC middleweight champion. Blachowicz starts the striking with a leg kick. Adesanya comes in and Blachowicz blitzes to back him off. A good left hook lands for Blachowicz.
A mad scramble and a stinging shot rocks Blachowicz. Adesanya is almost fighting mad now and he’s touching Blachowicz more here in the third. A nice jab lands for Adesanya. Blachowicz forces a clinch and pushes Adesanya against the fence.
Adesanya breaks the clinch and immediately throws a big leg kick. Both men trade power jabs. Adesanya’s speed was allowing him to get the better of the striking here in the third. Another round of nice shots from the UFC’s middleweight champion find their target.
Blachowicz lands a body kick off of another blitz. A very stiff jab lands for Blachowicz. Adesanya lands a jab, but Blachowicz counters with a big left hook. Blachowicz forces a clinch briefly, but Adesanya breaks it. Round three is in the books, and this fight is razor close. I lean 2-1 Adesanya at UFC 259.
Round 4
The UFC light heavyweight champion opens the fourth with pressure and immediately looks for a takedown. However, Adesanya defended well and kept the fight against the fence. A nice right hand lands for Blachowicz off the break.
Another big shot lands for Blachowicz. The fourth round is going well for Jan Blachowicz. A powerful leg kick lands for Adesanya, but Blachowicz lands a massive body kick to counter. A beautiful counter right lands for Adesanya.
Adesanya starts opening up with his striking and Blachowicz lands a takedown. They are in the middle of the cage and Blachowicz is heavy with the pressure. Adesanya was looking for ways out, but Blachowicz was too much with his top pressure.
A couple of nice hammer fists land for Jan Blachowicz. Blachowicz passes into side control and he was just riding him here in the fourth round. A dominant fourth round for Jan Blachowicz and it’s 2-2 in my opinion at UFC 259.
Round 5
Entering the final round and whoever wins this round will be the UFC light heavyweight champion. Both men trade leg kicks to open the striking. Blachowicz was breathing very heavy in the fifth round, but Adesanya looked tired too.
A nice lead right hand lands for Adesanya. Blachowicz tries to push forward, but his speed wasn’t there at all. A big jab lands for Blachowicz. However, Adesanya counters well with a couple of shots.
A big overhand right lands for Adesanya. Blachowicz lands a nice kick, but Adesanya counters with a big 1-2. Beautiful spinning back kick lands for Adesanya. A big takedown attempt and Blachowicz gets Adesanya down.
If Adesanya can’t get up, this is going to be the fight. Adesanya has no answer on the ground and he’s just letting Blachowicz control him on the ground. We’re into the final minute and Blachowicz is just riding him. The round comes to a close and Jan Blachowicz should take this one and remain UFC light heavyweight champion.
Jan Blachowicz def. Israel Adesanya by Split Decision (49-46, 49-45, 49-45)