Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz revealed his ideal return date to the Octagon after recently undergoing knee surgery.
Blachowicz was set to fight fellow light heavyweight contender in a rematch at UFC 328 on May 9 in Newark, New Jersey. However, he injured his knee while training and was forced to withdraw from the fight. With Blachowicz off the card, sources have told Heavy.com that Guskov will also be removed from the card and be re-booked for another event.
Speaking to James Lynch of Middle Easy, Blachowicz revealed his timeline to return to the cage after he recently underwent successful surgery for a torn meniscus that he suffered in training.
“Three days ago, I had the surgery, so everything is good. Surgery was perfect,” Blachowicz said. “I hope that after four or five weeks, I can get back to the gym and do everything 100%.
“When my physiotherapist says you can go to the gym and do everything like I did before surgery, then I need like 2.5 months (of training before fighting again).”
Jan Blachowicz Shaves Head for Cancer Awareness
Blachowicz, who typically sports a crew cut hairstyle, recently shaved his head as a way to support Polish streamer Åatwogang’s inspiring cancer charity campaign. Patryk Garkowski, known by his online name Åatwogang, raised $58 million for cancer awareness during a recent live stream, and Blachowicz did his part to support the cause by shaving his head.
“This Sunday, one of the Polish streamers finished his charity event. He made money for children with cancer. He started very slowly, but in the end, this charity stream had the whole of Poland starting to put money on it and support him,” Blachowicz said. “I shaved my head so people know that something like this is going on, and to support kids with cancer.”
Potential Opponents for Jan Blachowicz’s UFC Return
Blachowicz will likely return to the cage in the fall if all goes well, and while he is still interested in the rematch with Guskov, he admits that his rival may get a different opponent. The two fought to a draw last December and have unfinished business, but Blachowicz knows the UFC may give Guskov another opponent while he is on the sidelines injured. They already tried to, with Guskov reportedly declining to fight Iwo Baraniewski.
“We will see. I don’t know. He didn’t accept a fight against Iwo, so maybe he’ll get a different opponent, or maybe he’ll wait for me,” Blachowicz said.
Taking a look at the UFC light heavyweight rankings, Blachowicz is currently ranked at No. 4 in the world, so when he does return to the Octagon, look for him to get a top-10 opponent.
Fighters such as Jiri Prochazka, Jamahal Hill, Khalil Rountree Jr., Paulo Costa, and Azamat Murzakanov are all ranked in the top 10 of the weight class, and would be fresh opponents for Blachowicz, so they all make sense. Plus, there are intriguing rematches that the 43-year-old Pole could be booked for, such as against Magomed Ankalaev, Dominick Reyes, and even Alex Pereira, should he return to 205 lbs. That’s not to mention a future rematch with new UFC light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg, who won a very close decision against Blachowicz in March 2025.
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