Jan Blachowicz thinks he intimidated Jon Jones enough to push him out of the light heavyweight division. Jones ended his last stint at 205 pounds after a close win against Dominick Reyes in February 2020. He decided to move up and chase a UFC two-division title, starting a lengthy preparation before making his heavyweight debut in 2023. But Blachowicz, who is set to compete on the main card at UFC 323 this Saturday, doubts Jones was truthful about his reasons for leaving the light heavyweight class over five years ago.
Blachowicz, who will fight Bogdan Guskov at UFC 323, aims to reclaim his position at 205 pounds. The former champion, who knocked out Reyes to take over Jones’ old spot, was not satisfied just fighting for a vacant title. He fought hard for a bout with Jones and even made a bold gesture by jokingly claiming the right to Jones’ face after witnessing the Polish fighter KO Corey Anderson. When that fight never happened and Jones announced his move to heavyweight, Blachowicz implied during a guest spot on the show Submission Radio that he was the reason behind Jones’ promotion.
“You saw what I did to Dominik,” Blachowicz said. “He just ran away because he didn’t want to lose to me. I get it. He was scared, so he shifted to heavyweight.” He added, “He just wants to dodge the legendary Polish power. That’s why he went heavyweight. He’s afraid of the legendary Polish power.”
Meanwhile, while Blachowicz prepares to make a strong case at UFC 323, Jones is planning a comeback in 2026. He wishes to face the current 205-pound champion, Alex Pereira, at the UFC event in Washington, D.C. on June 14th. However, UFC President Dana White has raised significant obstacles for Jones’ return, publicly declining Jones’ request for reinstatement and labeling him too unreliable to feature on the event.
Jones has shown interest in the fight since former President Donald Trump mentioned plans for a bout on the White House lawn earlier this year. Despite White’s refusal, Jones remains hopeful he can secure a spot on the card.
Fan Take: This back-and-forth highlights the drama and high stakes in UFC’s light heavyweight division, fueling anticipation for future matchups. Fans should be excited as Blachowicz’s challenge to Jones’ legacy and Jones’ planned comeback could redefine the landscape of the sport in the coming years.
