A former UFC champion has established an unusual pre-fight ritual.
Saturday’s UFC 323 pay-per-view event will showcase several prominent fighters, highlighted by title defenses featuring Alexander Pantoja versus Merab Dvalishvili. Additionally, three former champions will compete on the main card, including Joshua Bunn aiming to become the second-youngest UFC champion in history before Dvalishvili faces Petr Yan. The event kicks off with Jan Blachowicz facing Bogdan Guskov, and Blachowicz may appear at the T-Mobile Arena with some unsettling items.
Jan Blachowicz, who became light heavyweight champion after knocking out Dominick Reyes at UFC 253 in 2020, revealed a haunting pre-fight ritual. Prior to his title win, Blachowicz recounted returning to his native forest to touch the rope from a man who had been found hanging—a superstition believed to bring good luck. He shared this story in a YouTube documentary and later showed colored bracelets made from that rope ahead of his fight against Israel Adesanya at UFC 259. Blachowicz’s wife once feared he might be cut from the UFC after a string of losses, but his turnaround since adopting this ritual has been remarkable, now holding a 10-9 record.
Currently, Blachowicz is going through a tough patch, having won only one of his last five fights. After defeating Aleksandar Rakić in 2022 due to an injury, the Polish star has not secured another victory. His recent bouts include a split draw in a title fight against Magomed Ankalaev and close losses to Alex Pereira and Carlos Ulberg. At 42 years old and ranked No. 5, his upcoming fight against Bogdan Guskov at UFC 323 is crucial for maintaining his status and pursuing a return to championship contention.
Fan Take: This unique pre-fight ritual adds an intriguing layer of personal superstition and mental preparation in the high-stakes world of UFC. Jan Blachowicz’s ability to bounce back and continue competing at the top level inspires fans and highlights the unpredictable, resilient nature of fighters in the sport.
