We are set for another UFC Fight Night this weekend, which will be headlined by a former champ looking to make amends. Former Light Heavyweight belt-holder Jan Blachowicz hasn’t been in the Octagon since losing his title last October. Can he get back on track on Saturday? We’re taking a look at the three best fights on the card.
Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic
The battle between Jan Blachowicz and Aleksandar Rakic could end up determining who will compete for the Light Heavyweight title in a few weeks. Blachowicz (pictured above in red) hasn’t fought since October when he lost to Glover Teixeira. He was supposed to fight a few months later but a neck injury held him out a little longer than anticipated.
Blachowicz’s opponent here, Rakic, is coming into this one following back-to-back unanimous decision victories. These come right after a controversial loss to Volkan Oezdemir in 2019. Still, Rakic is 14-2 on his career and looks to prove that he is worthy of a chance at the title. Blachowicz is the only thing that is standing in his way right now.
Ryan Spann vs. Ion Cutelaba
Next up is a fight between Ryan Spann and Ion Cutelaba. Spann had a solid win over Misha Cirkunov three fights ago but followed it up with two first-round stoppage losses. There isn’t any doubt about his abilities; he just hasn’t been able to bring them all together and find some type of fighting consistency.
As for his opponent, Cutelaba is 5-5-1 throughout his career and is far more composed than his opponent. Every once in a while, we have seen him get a little chaotic in the ring, which usually doesn’t end up helping his case. When he stays more locked into the matchup in front of him, he delivers better results. A win here could catapult either of these guys into the higher rankings of the Light Heavyweight division.
Katlyn Chookagian vs. Amanda Ribas
Katlyn Chookagian hopes to keep her hot streak rolling when she enters the Octagon against Amanda Ribas. Chookagian has won three straight fights coming into this one and is now the No. 10 pound-for-pound women’s fighter. She is also currently ranked in the top three in the flyweight division and has an overall record of 17-4. All three of her recent wins have come against Top 10 ranked opponents, which makes it even more impressive.
As for Ribas, she hasn’t had nearly as much luck. She lost to Marina Rodriguez towards the beginning of the 2021 year but rebounded with a win over Virna Jandiroba. She was supposed to fight more recently but ended up getting forced to withdraw. The event never got rescheduled, though, because Ribas chose to rise into the flyweight division.
Chookagian is the second-ranked fighter in the division, so it will be tough for Ribas to step in and pick up a victory. However, a win for her could end up going a long way in the rankings.