A highly-anticipated Light Heavyweight title fight between division champion Jan Blachowicz and current Middleweight roost ruler, Israel Adesanya, has been booked for UFC 259 on March 6, 2021, according to Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President, Dana White (via ESPN).
Adesanya announced his plans to move up in an attempt to become the promotion’s latest champ-champ following his knockout win over Paulo Costa at UFC 253 back in September in what was just his second title defense. Much to everyone’s surprise, the promotion obliged and announced its decision to allow “The Last Stylebender” to move up.
As for Blachowicz, this will be his first title defense after winning the vacant strap, also at UFC 253 on “Fight Island.” While the fight is an intriguing one to say the least, many were expecting Adesanya’s 205-pound title fight to be against Jon Jones. Those plans were scrapped after “Bones” announced his own intentions to move up to Heavyweight to try and claim that strap.
While White and Co. are still hoping to eventually book a fight between Jones and Adesanya sometime in 2021, a lot is riding on the outcome of Adesanya vs Blachowicz, as well as Jones’ eventual first fight at 265 pounds.
Predictions?
UFC 259 will also feature the return of Amanda Nunes as she defends her Featherweight title against Megan Anderson. In further pay-per-view (PPV) main card action, Thiago Santos will face Aleksandar Rakic at 205 pounds.
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