UFC 259: Daniel Cormier Predicts Jan Blachowicz vs Israel Adesanya
After a unanimous decision loss to Stipe Miocic in their rubber match at UFC 252, Daniel Cormier announced his retirement from MMA. As one of only four fighters in UFC history to hold two belts simultaneously, he has cemented his legacy in the sport.
Advantage Adesanya
Although he’s no longer fighting, Cormier is still affiliated with the UFC, as a colour commentator. In an interview with Helen Yee (as transcribed by BJPenn.com), ‘DC’ shared his thoughts on the light heavyweight title fight between champion Jan Blachowicz and Israel Adesanya, set to headline UFC 259 on March 6th.
“It’s a tough fight, it’s a tough fight,” Cormier said. “It’s crazy because Jan Blachowicz has not gotten the respect that he deserves. This guy has beaten everyone that has tried to come up against him in his recent run. Jan Blachowicz is going to be at a bit of a disadvantage in terms of speed with Israel Adesanya. Star power – Israel Adesanya. There are a lot of things swaying in Izzy’s favour, and if he can win this fight, he will skyrocket to the moon.”
No Room For Errors
While Cormier believes Adesanya has the upper hand, he warned the 31 year old that there is no room for error against a striker as ferocious as Blachowicz.
“Izzy seems to hold the advantages, a lot of people think he’s going up because it’s Jan holding the title, but the room for error is so small that it makes it a dangerous fight for Israel Adesanya,” Cormier said. “Jan has unreal knockout power and if he hits you, he’ll put you out. Every guy that’s gone up from middleweight so far – Luke Rockhold, [Jacare Souza], he smashes them. He don’t play around with these dudes going up – and Israel Adesanya, you’d better be careful.”
The Next Big Thing
But if all goes well for ‘The Last Stylebender’ at UFC 259, Cormier believes he has the potential to be the next big thing in the UFC.
“I was on First Take the other day and they asked me who’s on the radar, who can be that next breakout star, I said Israel Adesanya,” Cormier revealed. “That guy has everything – he’s got the look, he’s got the charisma, he’s got the fighting style, but the one thing is, there’s just no room for error in a fight against Jan Blachowicz. He can’t get hit one time. He gets hit by Jan, he’s in trouble.”
Do you agree with Daniel Cormier’s take on the light heavyweight title fight between Jan Blachowicz and Israel Adesanya at UFC 259?
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