Jan Blachowicz feels "draw was fair," tells off Magomed Ankalaev for post-UFC 282 behavior
UFC light heavyweight Jan Blachowicz has reflected on his UFC 282 main event against Magomed Ankalaev. He believes that a draw was a fair conclusion to the contest.
Judging was once again criticized this week after UFC 282's main event ended in a split draw. Blachowicz started the bout strongly, utilizing leg kicks to cause Ankalaev serious issues, almost dropping the Dagestani fighter on multiple occasions.
Ankalaev then rallied from the third round and showed his elite wrestling and grappling pedigree for the remainder of the fight. Blachowicz appeared defeated following the conclusion of the fifth round and was seemed stunned when the judges scorecards amounted to a draw.
After the fight, Magomed Ankalaev demanded to be given the 205-pound title and Jan Blachowicz showed enormous class by agreeing.
"Give the belt to [Magomed]
Ankalaev."
Jan Blachowicz said Ankalaev should have the light heavyweight belt after their split draw at #UFC282 https://t.co/MRZJPxNERv
On reflection, however, the Polish fighter now believes a draw was a fair result. The 39-year-old explained that he doesn't feel he won or lost the fight in a post on Twitter:
"Let me reiterate something. First - I honestly don't think the fight was terrible at all. Second - I don't feel I've won but neither that I lost. A draw was fair."
Let me reiterate something. First - I honestly don't think the fight was terrible at all. Second - I don't feel I've won but neither that I lost. A draw was fair. 1/2
Blachowicz then followed up his tweet with a message to Magomed Ankalaev, who was highly critical of him, the UFC and the judges' results:
"End result - One dude cried and talked about his supposed injuries, another dude showed that honor can be and still is upheld in this game. I'm glad the fans see it and appreciate it for what it is."
End result - One dude cried and talked about his supposed injuries, another dude showed that honor can be and still is upheld in this game. I'm glad the fans see it and appreciate it for what it is.
Daniel Cormier weighs in on controversial draw between Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev
Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier believes that part of the reason why UFC 282's main event between Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev was so controversial was because the card was full of exciting finishes.
:#UFC282 Official Result: Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev fight to a Split Draw (48-47, 46-48, 47-47).
All Fight Results ⬇️:
UFC 282 delivered high-octane viewing for fans as they were treated to 10 straight stoppages in a row before the co-main and main-event fights.
According to 'DC', while Magomed Ankalaev should have been crowned the winner after his fight with Jan Blachowicz, much of the contention is likely from an audience who expected a finish:
"We're wrapping up UFC 282: Blachowicz vs. Ankalaev and what can I say? Unsatisfied is what I'm gonna call the end to the night. It was a fun night of fights, you know? We started with 10 straight finishes and then we got to the Paddy Pimblett fight and we got to the Ankalaev/Blachowicz main event that ended in the way that it did... Going after the fifth round, I felt pretty certain that Magomed Ankalaev had won the fight... It was a fun fight, especially the first three rounds. Those guys were just standing and striking."
Check out Cormier's full UFC 282 reaction here: