UFC 259 results, highlights: Jan Blachowicz upsets Israel Adesanya to retain light heavyweight title

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Jan Blachowicz was questioned at every turn on his rise to become the light heavyweight champion, and he continued ahead of his first title defense on Saturday. But once again, Blachowicz defied the odds and retained his championship in the main event of UFC 259 with a victory over middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in Adesanya’s attempt to become a two-way champion. divisions.

Blachowicz and Adesanya fought a tense first three laps, with both men looking to minimize mistakes and make the other pay. It was in the Championship rounds that Blachowicz showed his championship in good faith, finally using his size and strength advantage to defeat Adesanya and clear the field.

Stacking the points in those big closing laps allowed Blachowicz to retreat on the scorecards, taking the win by scores of 49-46, 49-45 and 49-45.

“I thought he would be a little faster, but he didn’t hit that hard,” Blachowicz said after his win. “He was slower, but he hit harder, that was something I didn’t expect. I should do a little bit more with my left hand, I should do more jabs, put more pressure on him. But the game plan is one, and beating myself is, second, a different thing. “

And what’s next for the champion? Blachowicz believes the next man should be light heavyweight veteran Glover Teixeira.

“I think [Teixeira] merit, “Blachowicz said.” He will have to wait a bit so that I can rest and be with my family. But he will wait, he will be next. “

CBS Sports was with you throughout Saturday, bringing you all of the UFC 259 results and highlights below.

UFC 259 card and results

  • Jan Blachowicz (c) defeats. Israel Adesanya via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-45, 49-45)
  • Amanda Nunes (c) defeats. Megan Anderson via first round submission (armbar)
  • Aljamain Sterling (c) defeats. Petr Yan via DQ in round four (illegal knee)
  • Islam Makhachev def. Drew Dober via third round submission (arm triangle)
  • Aleksandar Rakic ​​defeats. Thiago Santos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
  • Dominick Cruz beats. Casey Kenney by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
  • Kyler Phillips defeats. Song Yadong via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Askar Askarov def. Joseph Benavidez by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
  • Kai Kara-France beats. Rogerio Bontorin via TKO in the first round (punch)



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