Jon Jones Congratulates Jan Blachowicz for Title-Winning Performance at UFC 253

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Jon Jones didn’t have any backhanded compliments or snarky remarks for Jan Blachowicz following the Polish standout’s title-winning performance against Dominick Reyes at UFC 253.

Blachowicz claimed the 205-pound belt vacated by Jones earlier this year with a technical knockout of Reyes 4:36 into the second round of Saturday’s co-main event on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Though Reyes was favored thanks to a near-miss against Jones earlier this year, Blachowicz was in control throughout, bruising his opponent’s side with wicked body kicks before unleashing a salvo of punches that broke Reyes’ nose and floored him in the decisive second frame.

In his post-fight interview, Blachowicz asked for Jones to come back to the light heavyweight division. Of course, the Jackson-Wink MMA standout is currently preparing for a move to heavyweight. A date for Jones’ debut in the big man’s division is currently unknown

“Only one thing on my mind,” Blachowicz said. “Jon Jones, where are you? Don't be a quitter. “I'm here. This is how we do it in Poland. I'm waiting for you.”

Jones didn’t take the bait -- at least initially. First, the former light heavyweight champion simply offered a short message of praise for Blachowicz. However, a little later he seemed intrigued by the notion of reclaiming the light heavyweight crown.

Jan enjoy my friend, congratulations

— BONY (@JonnyBones) September 27, 2020

Would you guys be annoyed if I went back and grabbed my belt real quick?

— BONY (@JonnyBones) September 27, 2020

Blachowicz’s post-fight message pleased UFC president Dana White who said, “I’m glad that he called out Jon.”

Regardless of whether Jones vs. Blachowicz comes to fruition, the 37-year-old KSW veteran believes he had to say something to the longtime ruler of the division.

“This is something that I prepared if I won, so I had a few words for Jon Jones, so I just say it,” Blachowicz said. “I hope that he watched the fight and that he cuts his weight again and that we meet at 205.”

For now, Blachowicz will bask in the glow of his latest victory. After beginning his UFC career with a 2-4 mark, he has won eight of his last nine appearances and more importantly, has kicked off a new era in the light heavyweight division.

“I still don’t believe, but it’s here. It’s not a dream right? It happened. I have the legendary Polish power, I proved it one more time, amazing,” he said.

  “It’s been a long journey for me, sometimes I was on the top, then I lose a couple fights, but I never stop believing in my skills, in my power,” he added. “Here I am, the champion. Like I said before, even a pandemic can’t stop me right now. I feel really great in the fight. I saw that my left kick to his body, that he slowed down a little bit. I saw almost everything he did. In the second round when I broke his nose, I knew that the finish will be soon. This is something that we prepared in our gym with coaches. On paper, we knew everything, and now in real life also. We do a great job in the gym, I am the champion.”