There’s a new sheriff in town when it comes to the light heavyweight division but Jon Jones doesn’t want you to forget about the old one just yet.
Poland’s Blachowicz secured the vacant 205-pounds title by second round TKO against Dominick Reyes at UFC 253 in Abu Dhabi and becomes the first man not named Jon Jones or Daniel Cormier to have held the title in the best part of a decade, and also becomes the first European (and first non-American or non-Brazilian) light heavyweight champion in UFC history.
Blachowicz has long been considered something of a dark horse at 205-pounds but has now put together a run of 8 wins in his last 9 fights, including victories over impressive names like Jacare Souza, Luke Rockhold, Jared Cannonier, Corey Anderson and now Reyes.
Still though, the spectre of the division’s last champion (who was never defeated legitimately in the cage) looms large over the 205-pound fold — and doesn’t he know it.
Would you guys be annoyed if I went back and grabbed my belt real quick?
— BONY (@JonnyBones) September 27, 2020
Reacting after Blachowicz won the world title, Jones tweeted: “Would you guys be annoyed if I went back and grabbed my belt real quick?”
Jones’ next move remains uncertain but all signs point to it taking place at heavyweight after announcing his desire to move to that weight class earlier this year, vacating the world title in the process.
Speaking in his post-fight interview, Blachowicz welcomed a bout with Jones but Dana White didn’t appear open to Jones’s (presumably less-than-serious) request to return to the division he has dominated since he entered the UFC.
“Jon Jones where are you?” Blachowicz said. “I’m here. This is how we do it in Poland. I’m waiting for you.”
