Jan Blachowicz selflessly begs referee to give Magomed Ankalaev title after judges scored controversial draw at UFC 282
JAN BLACHOWICZ selflessly requested the referee give Magomed Ankalaev the UFC title after their controversial draw.
The Polish ex-champion went the full five-round distance with Ankalaev and all three of the judges were split.
But even Blachowicz admitted the result was wrong after Ankalaev was left heartbroken in his post-fight interview.
He said: “I don’t know what to say, I won that fight. I can’t choose the judges, where is my belt, I won this belt.
“It does not matter that I felt pain in my legs, I did what was needed to get this victory. I always do what I have to do to adjust, I can do it all.
“I don’t know if I’m going to fight for this organisation again, I don’t know what happened.
“I don’t know what else to say. I honestly don’t know what to say.”
Blachowicz then went over to his opponent and said: “Give the belt to Ankalaev.”
Blachowicz, 39, faced Ankalaev, 30, in the UFC 282 headliner in Las Vegas for the vacant light-heavyweight title.
It followed after champion Jiri Prochazka, 30, was forced to vacate the belt due to a shoulder injury expected to sideline him for half a year.
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
But the fight for the up-for-grabs strap failed to thrill UFC president Dana White.
And he announced that former title holder Glover Teixeira, 43, would now challenge Jamahal Hill, 31, for the belt.
White said: “What are you going to do? I thought the main event was terrible.
“What are you going to do? You do Glover vs. Jamahal Hill in Brazil for the vacant title. Done.”