Jan Błachowicz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jan Błachowicz |
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Błachowicz at UFC Fight Night 136 post fight interview in Moscow, 2018
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| Born | Jan Maciej Błachowicz 24 February 1983 Cieszyn, Poland |
| Residence | Warsaw, Poland |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb) |
| Division | Light heavyweight |
| Reach | 78 in (198 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Warsaw, Poland |
| Team | Berkut WCA Fight Team (until 2014, 2017–present) Ankos MMA (2014–2017) |
| Rank | Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Kamil Umiński and Radosław Turek |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 40 |
| Wins | 29 |
| By knockout | 9 |
| By submission | 9 |
| By decision | 11 |
| Losses | 10 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 6 |
| Draws | 1 |
Jan Maciej Błachowicz (born February 24, 1983) is a famous mixed martial artist from Poland. He competes in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He used to be the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Jan was the second Polish fighter to win a UFC title, and the first Polish man to do so. He started fighting professionally in 2007. Before the UFC, he was also a champion in another fighting league called KSW. As of early 2025, he is ranked among the top light heavyweight fighters in the UFC.
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Early Life and Training
Jan grew up in Cieszyn, Poland. He started training martial arts when he was nine years old. He was inspired by action movies! He first learned judo, then grappling and Muay Thai. He won many tournaments in these sports before he started mixed martial arts.
Jan Błachowicz's Fighting Career
Fighting in KSW
Jan Błachowicz began his professional mixed martial arts career in 2007. He joined a Polish fighting league called KSW. In his first KSW tournament, he won three fights in one night! He defeated his opponents by decision and by using an armbar submission.
He continued to win fights in KSW. In 2008, he beat Christian M'Pumbu and Maro Perak. Later, he suffered a serious knee injury. This kept him from fighting for 17 months.
After recovering, Jan returned to KSW. He won another tournament by knocking out Julio Brutus and submitting Wojciech Orłowski. He then won the KSW Light Heavyweight Tournament by TKO.
Jan later fought Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou for the KSW Light Heavyweight Championship. He lost the first fight due to a leg injury. However, in a rematch, Jan won by decision and became the new KSW Light Heavyweight Champion! He successfully defended his title two times.
Joining the UFC
In 2014, Jan Błachowicz signed a contract with the UFC. This is the biggest mixed martial arts organization in the world.
Early UFC Fights
Jan made his UFC debut on October 4, 2014. He won his first fight against Ilir Latifi by TKO in the first round. After this strong start, he faced some tough challenges. He lost his next two fights by decision.
He bounced back with a win against Igor Pokrajac in April 2016. However, he then lost to Alexander Gustafsson and Patrick Cummins.
Finding His Stride
Jan started to find his rhythm in the UFC in late 2017. He won against Devin Clark by submission. This win earned him a "Performance of the Night" bonus! He then defeated Jared Cannonier and won a rematch against Jimi Manuwa. The Manuwa fight also earned him a "Fight of the Night" bonus.
He continued his winning streak by submitting Nikita Krylov. This was another "Performance of the Night" award for Jan. In 2019, he faced Thiago Santos and lost by TKO. But he quickly recovered. He knocked out former champion Luke Rockhold in the second round, earning another "Performance of the Night" bonus.
Jan then won a close fight against Ronaldo Souza. In a rematch with Corey Anderson, Jan won by knockout in the first round. This victory earned him his fourth "Performance of the Night" bonus.
Becoming UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
On September 27, 2020, Jan Błachowicz fought Dominick Reyes for the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. He won the fight by TKO in the second round. This made him the new champion and earned him another "Performance of the Night" award!
For his first title defense, Jan faced UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya. This was a big fight, as Adesanya was undefeated in the UFC. Jan won the fight by unanimous decision. He was the first person to defeat Adesanya in the UFC!
Jan lost his title in his next fight against Glover Teixeira in October 2021.
After the Championship
After losing his title, Jan continued to compete at the top level. He won against Aleksandar Rakić in May 2022. The fight ended when Rakić suffered a knee injury.
In December 2022, Jan fought Magomed Ankalaev for the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. The fight ended in a split draw, meaning neither fighter won.
His next fight was against former UFC Middleweight champion Alex Pereira in July 2023. Jan lost this fight by split decision.
Jan Błachowicz is scheduled to fight Carlos Ulberg on March 22, 2025.
Personal Life
Jan Błachowicz is good friends with former UFC fighter Tomasz Drwal. They used to train together. Jan moved to Warsaw, Poland, with his girlfriend. He also trains with other famous fighters at different gyms. In December 2020, Jan and his girlfriend welcomed their son.
Championships and Awards
Jan Błachowicz has achieved many great things in his fighting career:
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- UFC Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
- He successfully defended his title one time.
- He was the first male Polish champion in UFC history.
- Performance of the Night (Five times)
- Fight of the Night (One time)
- UFC Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
- Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki
- KSW Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
- He successfully defended his title two times.
- KSW 2010 Light Heavyweight Tournament Winner
- KSW 2008 Light Heavyweight Tournament Winner
- KSW 2007 Light Heavyweight Tournament Winner
- KSW Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)
- Muay Thai
- 2008: World Championships − 1st place
- 2007: World Championships − 3rd place
- Grappling
- 2007: Polish BJJ League − 1st place
- 2007: Polish BJJ Cup − 1st place
Pay-per-view Bouts
| No. | Event | Fight | Date | Venue | City | PPV buys |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | UFC 259 | Błachowicz vs. Adesanya | March 6, 2021 | UFC Apex | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | 800,000 |
| 2. | UFC 282 | Błachowicz vs. Ankalaev | December 10, 2022 | T-Mobile Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | Not Disclosed |
Mixed Martial Arts Record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 40 matches | 29 wins | 10 losses |
| By knockout | 9 | 2 |
| By submission | 9 | 2 |
| By decision | 11 | 6 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 29–10–1 | Alex Pereira | Decision (split) | UFC 291 | July 29, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Salt Lake City, Utah, United States | |
| Draw | 29–9–1 | Magomed Ankalaev | Draw (split) | UFC 282 | December 10, 2022 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | For the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 29–9 | Aleksandar Rakić | TKO (knee injury) | UFC on ESPN: Błachowicz vs. Rakić | May 14, 2022 | 3 | 1:11 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 28–9 | Glover Teixeira | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC 267 | October 30, 2021 | 2 | 3:02 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Lost the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 28–8 | Israel Adesanya | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 259 | March 6, 2021 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Defended the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 27–8 | Dominick Reyes | TKO (punches) | UFC 253 | September 27, 2020 | 2 | 4:36 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Won the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 26–8 | Corey Anderson | KO (punch) | UFC Fight Night: Anderson vs. Błachowicz 2 | February 15, 2020 | 1 | 3:08 | Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 25–8 | Ronaldo Souza | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Jacaré | November 16, 2019 | 5 | 5:00 | São Paulo, Brazil | |
| Win | 24–8 | Luke Rockhold | KO (punches) | UFC 239 | July 6, 2019 | 2 | 1:39 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 23–8 | Thiago Santos | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Santos | February 23, 2019 | 3 | 0:39 | Prague, Czech Republic | |
| Win | 23–7 | Nikita Krylov | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Oleinik | September 15, 2018 | 2 | 2:41 | Moscow, Russia | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 22–7 | Jimi Manuwa | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov | March 17, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 21–7 | Jared Cannonier | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Lawler vs. dos Anjos | December 16, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada | |
| Win | 20–7 | Devin Clark | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Till | October 21, 2017 | 2 | 3:02 | Gdańsk, Poland | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 19–7 | Patrick Cummins | Decision (majority) | UFC 210 | April 8, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Buffalo, New York, United States | |
| Loss | 19–6 | Alexander Gustafsson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Arlovski vs. Barnett | September 3, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Hamburg, Germany | |
| Win | 19–5 | Igor Pokrajac | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Rothwell vs. dos Santos | April 10, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Zagreb, Croatia | |
| Loss | 18–5 | Corey Anderson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 191 | September 5, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 18–4 | Jimi Manuwa | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Gonzaga vs. Cro Cop 2 | April 11, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Kraków, Poland | |
| Win | 18–3 | Ilir Latifi | TKO (body kick and punches) | UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Story | October 4, 2014 | 1 | 1:58 | Stockholm, Sweden | |
| Win | 17–3 | Goran Reljić | Decision (unanimous) | KSW 22 | March 16, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Warsaw, Poland | Defended the KSW Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 16–3 | Houston Alexander | Decision (unanimous) | KSW 20 | September 15, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Gdańsk, Poland | Defended the KSW Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 15–3 | Mario Miranda | Decision (unanimous) | KSW 18 | February 25, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Płock, Poland | Non-title bout. |
| Win | 14–3 | Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou | Decision (unanimous) | KSW 17 | November 26, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Łódź, Poland | Won the KSW Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 13–3 | Toni Valtonen | Submission (rear-naked choke) | KSW 16 | May 21, 2011 | 2 | 1:23 | Gdańsk, Poland | |
| Loss | 12–3 | Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou | TKO (leg injury) | KSW 15 | March 19, 2011 | 2 | 5:00 | Warsaw, Poland | For the vacant KSW Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 12–2 | Daniel Tabera | TKO (punches) | KSW 14 | September 24, 2010 | 2 | 4:20 | Łódź, Poland | Won the KSW 2010 Light Heavyweight Tournament. |
| Win | 11–2 | Nikolai Onikienko | Submission (rear-naked choke) | MFP: Volga Cup 2010 | June 24, 2010 | 2 | 2:32 | Cheboksary, Russia | |
| Win | 10–2 | Wojciech Orłowski | Submission (rear-naked choke) | KSW 13 | May 7, 2010 | 1 | 1:37 | Katowice, Poland | KSW 2010 Light Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal. |
| Win | 9–2 | Julio Brutus | KO (head kick and punch) | 1 | 3:40 | KSW 2010 Light Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal. | |||
| Win | 8–2 | Maro Perak | Submission (rear-naked choke) | KSW 10 | December 12, 2008 | 2 | 1:51 | Warsaw, Poland | |
| Win | 7–2 | Christian M'Pumbu | Submission (armbar) | KSW Extra | September 13, 2008 | 2 | 3:12 | Dąbrowa Górnicza, Poland | |
| Win | 6–2 | Aziz Karaoglu | Submission (armbar) | KSW 9 | May 9, 2008 | 1 | 4:13 | Warsaw, Poland | Won the KSW 2008 Light Heavyweight Tournament. |
| Win | 5–2 | Antoni Chmielewski | Submission (armbar) | 2 | 2:54 | KSW 2008 Light Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal. | |||
| Win | 4–2 | Martin Zawada | Decision (unanimous) | 2 | 5:00 | KSW 2008 Light Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal. | |||
| Loss | 3–2 | Andre Fyeet | Submission (kimura) | KSW 8 | November 10, 2007 | 1 | 1:57 | Warsaw, Poland | |
| Win | 3–1 | Daniel Dowda | TKO (knee and punches) | KSW Elimination | September 15, 2007 | 1 | 1:35 | Wrocław, Poland | Won the KSW 2007 Light Heavyweight Tournament. |
| Win | 2–1 | Pawel Gasinski | TKO (punches) | 1 | 2:36 | KSW 2007 Light Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal. | |||
| Win | 1–1 | Sebastian Olchawa | Decision (unanimous) | 2 | 5:00 | KSW 2007 Light Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal. | |||
| Loss | 0–1 | Marcin Krysztofiak | Decision (unanimous) | FCP 3 | February 25, 2007 | 2 | 5:00 | Poznań, Poland |
See also
In Spanish: Jan Błachowicz para niños
- List of current UFC fighters
- List of male mixed martial artists
- List of UFC champions
