Jan Błachowicz reveals what led to Magomed Ankalaev rematch falling through
Jan Błachowicz was among the select few the UFC had contacted to step in on short notice against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Abu Dhabi, but the matchup, unfortunately, fell apart.
Jan Błachowicz was on the short-list of fighters to replace the injured Khalil Rountree Jr. against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 25. Unfortunately, the Polish phenom was unable to step in on short notice and took to X to share his reasoning for not taking part in the proposed matchup, as Ankalaev will now face a former Błachowicz opponent in Bogdan Guskov.
Jan Błachowicz shares his side
UFC Abu Dhabi wouldn't have marked the first time Jan Błachowicz would have taken on Magomed Ankalaev. Błachowicz, who once had a short-lived reign as the UFC light heavyweight champion, fought Ankalaev to a controversial draw back in 2022 at UFC 282. Their bout was contested for the vacant light heavyweight title, and both men felt they had done enough to win. Thus, the chance to avenge one of the biggest blunders of his career proved a tantalizing opportunity. Unfortunately, the UFC didn't afford Błachowicz enough time to confirm his readiness as a short term replacement, which he revealed with a statement on X.
"A quick update about my upcoming bout. UFC offered me to fight Ankalaev first. I wasn't sure if I'm gonna make the weight. After a couple of hours I confirmed the fight without any catchweight but it was a done deal with Guskov. So now I'm waiting for a new opponent for the #UFCSerbia Fight Night."
A quick updated about my upcoming bout.
— Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz) July 13, 2026
UFC offered me to fight Ankalaev first. I wasn’t sure if I’m gonna make the weight. After a couple of hours I confirmed the fight without any catchweight but it was a done deal with Guskov. So now I’m waiting for a new opponent for the…
As it turns out, by the time Błachowicz had confirmed his ability to make weight for the light heavyweight bout, the UFC had already moved on with Bogdan Guskov as an opponent for Ankalaev. Oddly enough, Guskov also fought Błachowicz to a draw in the latter's most recent bout at UFC 323. Błachowicz is currently winless in his last four fights, having suffered two losses and two draws. At 43 years old, his dream of recapturing the light heavyweight title becomes more unlikely the longer he stays out of the win column. Meanwhile, Ankalaev is gearing up to bounce back from a crushing first-round TKO loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 320.
The loss snapped an impressive 14-fight unbeaten streak and marked Ankalaev as one of several UFC champions to have never successfully defended their title, as he had beaten Pereira via unanimous decision for the belt in his previous fight at UFC 313.
