Image Credit: ACA MMA
Daniel Omielanczuk is enjoying a resurgence somewhat after a change of scenery in his career.
The Polish heavyweight made nine appearances for the UFC stretching over a near-four year period, claiming victories over the likes of Aleksei Oleinik and Jarjis Danho. However, following a unanimous decision loss to current contender, Curtis Blaydes, in July 2017, Omielanczuk (23-9-1, 1NC) was released from the promotion.
He wasn’t out of work for long though as he signed a deal with ACB (now ACA) shortly thereafter and he’s benefited from the change in terms of his results. Omielanczuk has gone 4-1 in the organisation and was only defeated by rising star, Amir Aliakbari. The 37-year-old is currently riding a three-fight winning streak and has finished his last two opponents in the first round. He acknowledged that ACA is a great promotion to work for and thinks they treat the fighters very well.
Ahead of Omeilanczuk’s next bout, which takes place at ACA 109 on August 20, his preparations haven’t been hit too badly by the COVID-19 pandemic. He trained for the same amount of time that he always does getting ready for a bout, but was limited with the number of people he could work with. Training camp went well and he hasn’t suffered any minor injuries. Omielanczuk is also pleased that the event is taking place in his native Poland once again as it means he gets to stay at home with his family. He has already fought in a plethora of countries around the world so that side of the business doesn’t appeal to him as much anymore.
On Thursday evening, Omielanczuk is facing Tomas Pakutinskas, who will be making his ACA debut, in the co-headliner. Pakutinskas (19-12-3) is riding a six-fight winning streak and has finished all of those opponents in the first round. However, all of those fights have taken place in Lithuania, where the quality of opposition hasn’t really been of a high level compared to who Omielanczuk is used to competing against. Omielanczuk is aware of this but isn’t allowing himself to look past his adversary.
“On paper, I am the better fighter,” Omielanczuk told Euro MMA Hub. “Despite that, this is the heavyweight division we are talking about. Anything can happen if one shot lands flush. I expect Pakutinskas to be aggressive and determined but I want to finish the fight before the final bell.”
For many fighters, when they get released from the UFC, it is their goal to work their way back up to the promotion but that isn’t an aim that Omielanczuk shares. He’d rather focus on conquering the division of the organisation he has made his home. The ACA heavyweight title is currently in the possession of Mukhamad Vakhaev and he hasn’t lost a bout for the last five years. Omielanczuk hopes that a victory on Thursday will cement himself as next in line for the strap.
“After my upcoming fight, I want that belt,” Omielanczuk stated. “I really hope that ACA will give me that shot. I’m really enjoying myself in this promotion so I’m not thinking about a UFC return at all. My goal is to be the ACA heavyweight champion!”
ACA 109 can be purchased on the promotion’s online PPV platform ahead of the event on Thursday, August 20. The broadcast is set to kick off at 6pm BST.
