{"id":807661,"date":"2026-07-17T10:43:10","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T10:43:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/807661\/"},"modified":"2026-07-17T10:43:10","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T10:43:10","slug":"jan-blachowicz-returns-against-undefeated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/807661\/","title":{"rendered":"Jan Blachowicz Returns Against Undefeated,\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former light heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowicz returns to action against Navajo Sterling.<\/p>\n

The former light heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowicz will return to action and take on the undefeated, unranked Navajo Sterling. The bout is set to take place at UFC Belgrade<\/a> in Serbia on August 1st.<\/p>\n

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The bout comes after Blachowicz’s original bout against Bogdan Guskov was cancelled due to the latter filling in for Khalil Rountree Jr against Magomed Ankalaev<\/a>. It is rumoured that Blachowicz was offered the Ankalaev fight, which would serve as a rematch, however, would have been unable to make the weight and Ankalaev wouldn’t accept a catchweight bout.<\/p>\n

Jan Blachowicz Set for Return<\/p>\n

The Polish superstar will be looking for his first win since 2022 when he defeated Aleksandar Rakic as a result of an injury. The last time he recorded a legitimate finish victory six years ago against Dominick Reyes.<\/p>\n

Since his last victory, he drew with Ankalaev in an extremely close fight. He would then welcome Alex Pereira<\/a> to light heavyweight, losing via split decision. After a two year lay off, he would return against a surging Carlos Ulberg, again going on to be on the wrong side of a decision.<\/p>\n

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Last time out, Blachowicz fought to a draw with Bogdan Guskov and was looking to get that one back, but it will be Sterling that stands across from him in Belgrade.<\/p>\n

Sterling’s Rise<\/p>\n

28 year old Navajo Sterling fights out of City Kickboxing and can lean on the tactics used by teammate, Carlos Ulberg to get the victory in Belgrade.<\/p>\n

At 6’4″, Sterling holds six KO\/TKO victories, including two in his last two outings. He recieved a contract on the Contender Series in 2024 and went 3-0 in his first year with the promotion. All of these wins came via decision.<\/p>\n

2026 has been somewhat of a turning point for Sterling, who has gone 2-0 with two finishes. In March he finished Bruno Lopes in the second round and followed that up with a finish of Ion Cutelaba in June.<\/p>\n

He’ll look to pick up the biggest scalp of his career and get ranked with a win over Jan Blachowicz.<\/p>\n

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