This past Saturday night, the Ultimate Fighting Championship invaded New Mexico for the first time under new ownership. The headliner of Blachowicz vs. Anderson 2 is the second consecutive event in which it is headlined by a light heavyweight bout. Many thought that this fight would have to be an early finish for the winner to get their name in the Jon Jones sweepstakes, and Jan Blachowicz did just that.
Blachowicz’s TKO of Corey Anderson 3:02 into round one caught the eyes of many. Most importantly it caught the eyes of one Jon ‘Bones’ Jones. The 205 King was sitting cage-side in his adopted home state of New Mexico and rose out of his seat as the two light heavyweights got into an intense stare down as Jones rose to his feet after the first-round finish.
Despite Jan Blachowicz turning Corey Anderson’s lights out with a right hand, I do not think he should be next to fight Jon Jones. I think Blachowicz does have amazing power and showed that this past Saturday, but I do not think there is as much desire for that match up amongst the UFC faithful. Jones vs. Reyes was so far the best fight that 2020 had to offer, and it has instant classic written all over it, and on top it all off came down to a controversial score card to determine the winner. With all that heat behind it, why not see it again?
If I was Dominic Reyes, I would force the UFC’s hand in having this fight take place in a well-established MMA city. I would push for cities such as Las Vegas, or even Reyes’ home state of California if he were to be granted the title shot. Judge’s discretion cost him one opportunity at the title and it would be a shame if it was two.
Now back to Rio Rancho, not only was this the first card in New Mexico under the new owners, it was the first card that resulted in two DQs. The cards co-main event ended in a disqualification as UFC veteran Diego Sanchez was a victim of a Michel Pereira illegal knee. Also on the card, the UFC debut of Brok Weaver was stopped due to the same reason. Both fights were highly anticipated, and it was quite unfortunate we did not see those fights go on further, but they were both fair stoppages.
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