Jan Blachowicz Explains UFC 297 Withdrawal: ‘It Wasn’t Supposed to Be This Way’

The upcoming Ultimate Fighting Championship card in Canada has taken a huge hit.

According to his UFC 297 opponent Aleksandar Rakic (14-3) on social media this Thursday, Jan Blachowicz (29-10-1) has been forced out of their light heavyweight matchup. The two were expecting to face off on Jan. 20 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. Blachowicz expressed his disappointment about the surgery-requiring shoulder injury he sustained in a post on Instagram, while Rakic was quick to call out another opponent in hopes of staying on the lineup next month.

“It wasn’t supposed to be this way,” a crestfallen Blachowicz wrote. “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 5 and want to put on a show at the highest level.”

The Polish fighter continued, “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% 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!”

When calling out Blachowicz for pulling out of the fight, Rakic also pointed at one specific foe to fill in against him: Jiri Prochazka. The former champ responded almost immediately, expressing his interesting with the caveat that he would not be able to compete until February or March. The excited contender from Austria replied to Prochazka’s message, asking the UFC for a slot on UFC 298 on Feb. 17 in Anaheim, California.

It is currently unclear if the promotion will try to find a suitable replacement to keep Rakic on UFC 297, if the UFC will oblige the fighter back-and-forth on social media, or if it will go a different direction entirely. As it stands, UFC 297 on Jan. 20 will remain at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, with Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis for the middleweight championship headliner. The co-main attraction will also be for a belt, as Raquel Pennington and Mayra Bueno Silva vie for the vacant 135-pound strap. Other main card bouts that remain on the lineup include Neil Magny vs. Mike Malott at welterweight, and a featherweight clash pitting Arnold Allen against Movsar Evloev.