Vacant Strap & The Baddie Returns

What’s Up, Fight Fams! We’re here to break down the upcoming last big PPV the UFC has to offer this year! Featuring Jan Blachowicz facing off against Magomed Ankalaev for the vacant light heavyweight strap & the return of the Liverpool superstar Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett, below is the preview!

Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev will now compete for the vacant light heavyweight title in Saturday's UFC 282 main event after the cancellation of Glover Texeira and Jiri Prochazka scheduled titled match that was sidelined due to injury. When Jon Jones resigned from the title, Blachowicz successfully stepped into the role earlier by defeating Dominick Reyes in the second round at UFC 253. The Polish standout successfully defended against Israel Adesanya, dropped the belt to Glover Teixeira, and then rebounded with a win over Aleksandar Rakic earlier this year to put him right back into the mix.

Ankalaev enters the Octagon having won nine straight matches after losing his promotional debut at the very last second. No one in the division has a longer winning run inside the Octagon. Ankalaev is 18-1 overall and collected a second-round stoppage victory over Anthony Smith in July. This is a tremendous bout between two competitors that have earned their rank at the top of the division. It’s a competitive, interesting contest pitting Blachowicz and his “legendary Polish power” against Ankalaev’s diversified arsenal. It should address any lingering reservations about the ascending fighter from Dagestan’s place in the division. With Prochazka anticipated to be sidelined for some time, the winner most likely meets fight with former champ Glover Teixeira in the early half of next year to resolve matters atop the division for the time being.

Paddy Pimblett makes his return and first-ever pay-per-view debut, searching for a fourth straight UFC win as he squares up with filthy veteran Jared Gordon on Saturday night. “The Baddy” has the potential to be a superstar in the making since touching down in the Octagon for the first time a little less than 15 months ago. He’s delivered a trio of stoppage victories and a pair of loud walkouts at The O2 in London.

The 34-year-old New Yorker Gordon made the return to lightweight just over a year ago and has gone 2-1 over three fights, collecting wins over Joe Solecki and Leonardo Santos on each side of a third-round submission defeat to rising star Grant Dawson.

Featuring in the card is also the return of farm fighter Bryce Mitchell & Darren Till, So don’t miss it fight fans! There you go, Fighters! Our fight preview for the upcoming fight for this week. Remember to consistently train and purchase your training needs here at Hawkeye Fightwear!