UFC Fight Night 86 Results: Blachowicz Wins Decision Over Pokrajac
After the women’s strawweights got the UFC Fight Night 86 main card off to a great start, it was the turn of the light-heavyweights to take the spotlight. Igor Pokrajac took on Jan Blachowicz in the evening’s second main card fight from Zagreb, Croatia, and here’s how it transpired:
Pokrajac draw a huge ovation from the crowd as the local fan favorite, Blachowicz is the Polish former KSW light-heavyweight champion and is well rounded with a blend of submission, decision and knockout finishes. ‘The Duke’ has a great finish ratio with 24 stoppages from 28 wins. The crowd jeers as Blachowicz is announced, Pokrajac looks pumped to be back in the UFC after three straight wins in regional competition. Leon Roberts is the man in charge of the octagon and they touch up to start the fight.
Pokrajac blitzing here, but Blachowicz gets a double leg. Pokrajac grabs the arm, but Jan gets to half guard here looking to play the role of party pooper. Ground and pound here as Pokrajac is unable to escape, but he regains guard. Elbows from the bottom as Blachowicz tries to get past the guard again, was that a head butt? Arm bar attempt but Jan is wise to it, up kicks from Igor. Elbows from JB and now punches, Igor looks hurt and Jan is able to push hips past to half guard. Pokrajac gets out the back and now he’s on top, an elbow and he scoops the legs. Tries a choke but it’s short lived and the round ends. 10-9 Blachowicz.
Some more angry European coaches in the cut scenes. Round two gets going and Pokrajac should try to keep this standing, Blachowicz switches stance, they trade some hard boxing. They clinch against the cage, nice left hook from JB, they clinch once again. Blachowicz with the Muay Thai plum clinch, dirty boxing to the gut now, and now they trade massive shots. Blachowicz rocks the chin of Pokrajac and his eyes roll for a second, this is some Griffin vs. Bonnar type punching from both men, but now JB lands another double leg, Blachowicz looking tired now though and the crowd buoys Pokrajac. What a fight! Pokrajac rallies for the finish but Jan lands another takedown. JB head kicks, Pokrajac pulls a Diaz move and say’s ‘that’s it?’ This is a gruelling war, as the round ends it’s very tough to call, 10-9 Pokrajac.
The crowd is going ballistic. Blachowicz looking tired, Igor could go for the finish here, flying knee from JB, and they clinch. They separate and Pokrajac lands a nice left hand, Blachowicz with a big takedown though. The action slows considerably, JB in half guard/side control position, raining down elbows as the crowd boos heavily. Fight finishes after 15 minutes, I’d say that’s easily a decision win for Blachowicz.
29-28 x 3 victory for Jan Blachowicz
