Israel Adesanya to Challenge Jan Blachowicz for Light Heavyweight Title Next

The UFC now has a huge champion vs. champion fight in the works. It looks like UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will be moving up in weight in a bid to win his second UFC title in another weight class against current champion Jan Blachowicz. Speaking after last night’s UFC on ESPN+ 39 event, UFC President Dana White revealed that Adesanya’s next planned fight will be against Blachowicz for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at 205 pounds.

Adesanya successfully defended his title in September at UFC 253, knocking out Paulo Costa in the second round. It was his second successful defense of the belt. Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker is realistically the next contender after beating Jared Cannonier. However, Whittaker didn’t seem as keen to fight Adesanya after beating Cannonier.

White told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto yesterday on Adesanya, “I was adamant on him fighting Whittaker for the title. It’s the thing that makes the most sense. And then Whittaker comes out after the fight and says he doesn’t want to fight him, which is wacky, but OK. Then he’ll move up to 205 and fight Jan.”

Currently, there’s no timeframe on when Adesanya vs. Blachowicz was open, but White said that is the next fight at the moment. Blachowicz previously tweeted on October 29 before White’s announcement, “I have heard that Israel Adesanya wants to face me next. No problem, If you are ready to fight in March, let’s do this. Prepare for a some fireworks guys.”

Previously, Adesanya and former light heavyweight king Jon Jones have been going at it tooth and nail over social media. However, it appears that fight is still a ways off. Jones is currently planning a move up to heavyweight.

Blachowicz vs. Adesanya does not have a date or event announced yet. Blachowicz won the vacant title after knocking out Dominick Reyes in the co-main event at UFC 253.