Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz has been forced out of his upcoming rematch against Aleksander Rakic at UFC 297 on January 20th due to a shoulder injury.
Blachowicz revealed that he’s been suffering shoulder pain during training that will now require him to undergo surgery.
“It wasn’t supposed to be this way,” Blachowicz wrote on Instagram. “It’s hard to express how I feel because it’s a mixture of anger and sadness. Withdrawing from a fight due to injury is one of the most difficult decisions a fighter can make. However, sometimes there is no other option, especially when you are competing in the top five and want to put on a show at the highest possible level. Instead of fighting for the best shape, I fight with the pain during every training session. I did everything I could, but my shoulders need surgery. In this state, continuing preparations and entering the Octagon would be irresponsible and stupid.
“I always say that when I go into a fight, I must be 100 percent ready. I owe it to myself, my coaches, my opponent and, above all, the fans. Thank you in advance for your support! I am waiting for the date of surgery, after which rehabilitation and return to training will follow. I promise I will come back stronger!”
Rakic has since mocked his rival for pulling out of the fight and has quickly moved on to calling out another ex-champ Jiri Prochazka instead.
““You can never lose a rematch when you pull out for the second time. Legendary bulls***,” Rakic said. “Let’s see if the samurai has the balls to step up on Jan. 20th.”
Prochazka has since responded, but while he’s interested in the match-up it seems he’ll be unable to be ready by UFC 297.
“I am in, but the earliest time I can be in octagon is February/March,” Prochazka replied to Rakic. “Accept?”
So far Rakic hasn’t responded, and of course in the end it’s the UFC’s decision to make.
As things stand UFC 297 proceeds with a card headlined by a middleweight title fight between Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis, while Raquel Pennington and Mayra Bueno Silva fight for the vacant women’s bantamweight title in the co-main event.
