UFC light heavyweight division almost had a different No. 1 contender's fight after Jiri Prochazka vacated
The UFC light heavyweight division's landscape could have looked different had a proposed No.1 contender's bout transpired.
Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev fought to a controversial split-decision draw in a match for the vacant 205-pound belt following then-champion Jiri Prochazka's injury. The pay-per-view was originally set to feature 'Denisa' rematching Glover Teixeira for the title, but Prochazka's injury forced him out of the bout. The UFC offered Teixeira the chance to face the Russian contender instead, but he refused and Blachowicz stepped in.
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
MMA journalist Alex Behunin has now reported that Ryan Spann was reportedly offered the chance to face Blachowicz in a No.1 contender's bout, with Teixeira and Ankalaev facing off for the vacant title. However, Teixeira's refusal to fight Ankalaev meant the UFC booked Blachowicz to face the Russian instead, leaving Spann out in the cold:
"Ryan Spann revealed he was offered to fight Jan Blachowicz shortly after knocking out Dominick Reyes for the No. 1 contender after Jiri Prochazka vacated; however, after Glover Teixeira turned down Magomed Ankalaev - the fight got axed"
Ryan Spann revealed he was offered to fight Jan Blachowicz shortly after knocking out Dominick Reyes for the No. 1 contender after Jiri Prochazka vacated; however, after Glover Teixeira turned down Magomed Ankalaev - the fight got axed
Spann is currently ranked No.8 in the 205-pound division and is on a two-fight win streak. The 31-year-old's last outing was against former title challenger Dominick Reyes, whom he KO'd in the first round with a stunning jab.
UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill reveals conversation he had with Jiri Prochazka
After Jiri Prochazka vacated the title in December last year, the promotion booked Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev for the vacant 205-pound title.
The pair's controversial split draw meant that the title remained vacant, and Dana White later confirmed that Jamahal Hill and Glover Teixeira would face one another for the belt.
Hill and Teixeira main-evented at UFC 283, where the Brazilian veteran was vying to become a two-time champion. 'Sweet Dreams' rose to the occasion, however, and he dominated the former champion across five rounds to win via unanimous decision.
In an interview with 'The Schmo', Hill discussed his championship win as well as a potential bout with Prochazka. 'Denisa' is expected to return to the octagon later this year and will fight for the title upon his return.
During the interview, Hill revealed that he'd spoken to the Czech-born fighter and that he hopes to face him:
"We just shook hands. He's like, 'Hi, nice to meet you,' and I was like, 'What's up bro?' and we shook hands... he was doing physical therapy and stuff. He is working to get back and I can't wait for him to be back... I'm letting him do his thing. Letting him focus on recovery and yeah, I'm hoping that he makes some significant strides and ends up being the first title defense."
Catch the interview here (3:20):