Can Israel Adesanya use his precise striking to negate Jan Blachowicz' "Polish Power" and become the UFC's latest double champion?
Mixed martial arts fans worldwide will find out Saturday night, when Adesanya, the reigning middleweight champ, takes on light heavyweight titleholder Blachowicz in the headliner of the massive UFC 259 pay-per-view, live from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Here, DAZN News lays out the path to victory for each fighter.
Israel Adesanya's keys to victory
Launch leg kicks
Before Adesanya pounced on Paulo Costa en route to a second-round TKO (punches) last September, he busted up the Brazilian's legs pretty good with vicious leg kicks. The premeditated attack made the hulking Costa a shell of himself and more than softened him up for the finish. In his move up to light heavyweight, Adesanya should look to light up Blachowicz' legs as well. If the strategy pays dividends once again, Adesanya might create the opening he needs to notch another knockout and follow the paths of Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes and Henry Cejudo as the UFC's latest champ-champ.
Keep a healthy distance
In his light heavyweight debut, Adesanya doesn't want to get anywhere close to feeling the brunt of Blachowicz' "Polish Power." That's precisely why he needs to keep a safe distance in this dangerous fight. That, and creating offense from the outside is where "The Last Stylebender" shines, as it allows him to download information in real time and come up with dazzling, pinpoint-accurate striking that has him undefeated in the UFC. It all starts with Adesanya keeping that distance, which is probably more important than ever.
Flick that jab, use his speed
Adesanya has a slight reach advantage in this fight and touching Blachowicz early may help him to take the Polish fighter's temperature by gauging the champion's chin. Pumping that jab can also be the activation switch for Adesanya to dip into his wheelhouse of creative, laser-like striking that wows MMA fans and critics alike. That jab can also be a way for Adesanya to use his speed, stick, move and frustrate the champion enough to take his title.
Stay off the cage, ground
The middleweight champ does not want to feel Blachowicz' weight on him, pressing him up against the cage or grinding him out on the ground. It's imperative that Adesanya, despite having great takedown defense, negates Blachowicz' attempts to mount this offense because it could translate into Adesanya possibly getting fatigued if the bout goes into deep waters.
Jan Blachowicz' keys to victory
Fire body kicks
Attack the body and the head will fall. And Adesanya's fight IQ is his greatest attribute. So, it'd be wise for the champ to fire off on some body kicks that put Adesanya on notice and make him think twice. After all, body kicks did damage to Dominick Reyes back at UFC 253 in September. He used that weapon to help pave the way for a devastating second-round TKO (punches) to become the new light heavyweight champ. Body kicks could also be key to help Blachowicz notch his first title defense as well.
Close Adesanya's space
Since Adesanya is comfortable creating from the outside, Blachowicz needs to crowd his space in a hurry ... even if that means eating some leather early on to do it. Blachowicz needs to let it be known to Adesanya that he's going to be in his face, forcing the middleweight challenger to adjust on the fly. Also, Blachowicz needs to be in the phone booth with Adesanya to unleash his "Polish Power" and possibly record another spectacular knockout.
Strike in the clinch
Mushing Adesanya up against the Octagon, while hitting him could make for a long night in the cage for "The Last Stylebender." Therefore, tying Adesanya up in the clinch is vital. It would also allow Blachowicz to lean on him and make the middleweight champ feel his weight. With the way Adesanya swiftly moves, it's easier said than done, though. However, a ferocious, determined Blachowicz could do it by asserting his will.
Take Adesanya down
Yes, Adesanya has shown stellar takedown defense. But that shouldn't stop Blachowicz from attempting takedowns and hurting the smaller man on the canvas or up against the cage. For one, it will be another outlet for Blachowicz to launch short bombs that could do major damage. Another reason to do so is it would seemingly help tire Adesanya.