Jan Blachowicz, former UFC light-heavyweight champion, took a unique approach to recovery following a challenging period of rehabilitation. After undergoing double shoulder surgery, the 42-year-old Polish fighter, who was sidelined for 20 months, participated in a reality television show that would push him to his limits.
In the absence of his usual comforts, Blachowicz took part in a month-long adventure across the Philippines and Thailand. Stripped of a home, food, money, and even a phone, Blachowicz and his teammate raced on foot through unfamiliar territory alongside 12 other two-person teams.
The experience proved to be life-altering. Blachowicz and his teammate emerged victorious, finishing first in the competition. Reflecting on the challenge, he said, “It was a great adventure to survive without a phone, without money, finding a place to sleep, and asking people for help. It was an amazing experience.”
The journey wasn’t without its hardships. Blachowicz described the difficulty of finding basic accommodations: “One time, we found a place to sleep after just 10 minutes of looking. Other days, you asked people for help, but they would say ‘no’, and it could take hours to find a place.”
While most people would seek refuge in comfort after a few days of such challenges, Blachowicz endured the full month, overcoming obstacles alongside his teammate. “Normally, you don’t spend your holidays like this. After three days, people would say ‘enough, I’ll go to a hotel now.’ But I survived the whole month, and we won the show.”
Now, as Blachowicz prepares for his return to the octagon at UFC London on Saturday, his first fight since a split-decision loss to Alex Pereira in 2023, the fighter reflects on how the experience helped him reset his perspective on life.
“It felt like a detox,” Blachowicz shared. “It’s funny because a lot of things happened on that journey. But now, I appreciate the simple things more – I don’t need a fancy car. I appreciate a shower, a warm place, and food in the fridge. Some people didn’t have a shower, and I had to sleep on the floor in very poor conditions.”
Blachowicz’s journey to recovery was no easy feat. He faced significant challenges post-surgery, noting that three months after his operations, he felt worse than before. “You’re not 20 years old anymore,” he recalled. “You just have to wait a little longer, and it will be good,” the doctors advised.
Despite the physical and emotional challenges, Blachowicz’s drive to continue fighting remains strong. “Because I want to,” he said when asked why he’s pushing through. “I miss the feelings that come with fight week, the emotions. I like fighting. I don’t have to do it; I could stop right now because I have a lot of things I could do. But I want to do it – I love to do it.”
As Blachowicz gears up for his highly anticipated co-main event against New Zealand’s Carlos Ulberg at UFC London, his perspective on life and fighting has been forever shaped by his month of survival in Southeast Asia.
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