Tag: Jan Blachowicz

Alex Pereira ready for shot at the 205 title following win over Jan Blachowicz: ‘My focus is always the belt’

Alex PereiraAlex Pereira needed three fights in order to earn a shot at the middleweight title. When it comes to the light heavyweight championship, he may only need one. On Saturday night, ‘Poatan’ scored another big win inside the Octagon, leaving Salt Lake City with a split decision victory over former 205-pound king Jan Blachowicz. With […]

Alex Pereira

Alex Pereira needed three fights in order to earn a shot at the middleweight title. When it comes to the light heavyweight championship, he may only need one.

On Saturday night, ‘Poatan’ scored another big win inside the Octagon, leaving Salt Lake City with a split decision victory over former 205-pound king Jan Blachowicz. With a W over the No. 3 ranked contender in the division, Alex Pereira could very well be next in line for a shot at the vacant light heavyweight title.

Following his victory at UFC 291, Alex Pereira made it abundantly clear that a shot at the 205-pound title is the next logical step and the only thing that interests him.

“My focus is always the belt,” Pereira said through an interpreter during his post-fight interview. “I want to fight for the belt, it doesn’t matter against who.”

Is Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka the Fight to Make?

Currently, the light heavyweight strap is without an owner after Jamahal Hill vacated the title after sustaining an injury that could leave him on the sidelines for the next year. Meanwhile, former champion Jiri Prochazka is nearing a return to the Octagon this fall, potentially setting the stage for a clash between Pereira and Prochazka.

Recent rumors have also suggested that reigning middleweight champion Israel Adesanya could once again venture to the land of the light heavyweights for a potential trilogy bout with his Brazilian boogeyman at 205. For the moment though, it looks like ‘The Last Stylebender’ will stay put at 185 for a title tilt with outspoken middleweight contender and former Pereira opponent, Sean Strickland.

As for Jan Blachowicz, the Polish standout is now winless in three of his last four, including a split draw against Magomed Ankalaev last year. Considering the close nature of his loss to Pereira, Blachowicz could earn himself a rematch but the former champ definitely has some work to do before he can get another crack at the light heavyweight title.

Alex Pereira edges Jan Blachowicz with clever performance for split decision win – UFC 291 Highlights

Alex Pereira wins light heavyweight debut with split decision over Jan Blachowicz UFC 291 HighlightsMaking good on his light heavyweight divisional bow, former undisputed middleweight champion, Alex Pereira has landed at his new weight class with a victory — narrowly edging out fellow former gold holder, Jan Blachowicz in a close, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) win in the co-main event of UFC 291. Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight […]

Alex Pereira wins light heavyweight debut with split decision over Jan Blachowicz UFC 291 Highlights

Making good on his light heavyweight divisional bow, former undisputed middleweight champion, Alex Pereira has landed at his new weight class with a victory — narrowly edging out fellow former gold holder, Jan Blachowicz in a close, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) win in the co-main event of UFC 291.

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion, managed to survive an early scare against Polish veteran, Blachowicz in the opening frame, seeing his back taken during a takedown scramble.

Forced to hand-fight with the former light heavyweight champion, Pereira managed to prevent a hellfire of rear-naked choke attempts, to see a second frame.

And narrowly edging the second and subsequent third rounds against Blachowicz, Pereira, who made his first light heavyweight walk in combat sports since his GLORY Kickboxing swansong back in 2021, managed to land a slew of low calf kicks to a much-labored, Blachowicz — lining himself up for a potential title fight in his planned sophomore light heavyweight outing.

Below, catch the highlights from Alex Pereira’s split decision win over Jan Blachowicz

Alex Pereira shares massive 22lbs weight gain following UFC 291 weigh in ahead of light heavyweight bow

Alex Pereira shares massive 22lbs weight gain after light heavyweight weigh in UFC 291 debutAlex Pereira (7-2 MMA) has gained an apparent 22.5 lbs just 24 hours following his weigh-in, ahead of his light heavyweight debut at UFC 291.  Pereira had no issues making weight on Friday, weighing in at 205.5 lbs. The Brazilian looked like a monster on the scales ahead of his number-one contender scrap against former […]

Alex Pereira shares massive 22lbs weight gain after light heavyweight weigh in UFC 291 debut

Alex Pereira (7-2 MMA) has gained an apparent 22.5 lbs just 24 hours following his weigh-in, ahead of his light heavyweight debut at UFC 291. 

Pereira had no issues making weight on Friday, weighing in at 205.5 lbs. The Brazilian looked like a monster on the scales ahead of his number-one contender scrap against former 205lbs champion, Jan Blachowicz (29-9-1 MMA). 

It was a nice change to see a healthier Pereira step to the scales, compared to his time at middleweight. A time when ‘Poatan’ has a habit of looking like he was on the verge of collapsing nearly every time he stepped to the scales.

Subsequently, following his title loss against Israel Adesanya (24-2 MMA) at UFC 287, Alex Pereira’s move to 205lbs was inevitable.

However, Pereira shocked UFC fans when he revealed he gained 22.5 lbs after he was able to rehydrate just 24 hours following his weigh-in. 

Despite this isn’t the first time he has done this, it did not come as a surprise during his time at middleweight. Although on this occasion fans have been left perplexed at how he is able to gain so much weight in such a short time, after moving up a weight class. 

Alex Pereira Vs. Jan Blachowicz 

Regardless of his size, he faces the daunting notorious Polish power of Jan Blachowicz. The pair are scheduled to throw down at UFC 291 in the co-main event of this weekend’s PPV in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Alex Pereira will be looking to not only put himself in title contention but also do something his rival Adesanya couldn’t do – beat Blachowicz. The question is whether this will serve as extra motivation or end up being added pressure. 

However, I doubt the 37-year-old will be worried about any other factors apart from putting his name into title contention. 

With the stakes being raised following the news of Jamahal Hill (12-1 MMA) having to vacate the title due to injury. Both men will have all the motivation you could ever need as a fighter, by becoming the undisputed number one contender for UFC gold.

Will Alex Pereira write a new chapter in the lightweight division, or will it be redemption for Jan Blachowicz?

UFC 291 Fight Card: PPV Schedule, Odds and Predictions for Poirier vs. Gaethje 2

Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje both have well-earned reputations for violence and entertainment. At UFC 291, they’ll bring their brand of violence to the…

Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje both have well-earned reputations for violence and entertainment. At UFC 291, they’ll bring their brand of violence to the…

Alex Pereira successfully makes weight for light heavyweight debut at UFC 291 against Jan Blachowicz

Alex Pereira successfully makes weight for UFC 291 light heavyweight debutMaking the light heavyweight division climb for the first time in his Octagon tenure, former undisputed middleweight champion, Alex Pereira is officially slated to make his division bow at UFC 291 this weekend, taking on fellow former titleholder, Jan Blachowicz. Pereira, who had enjoyed a continued middleweight stay in the UFC since his debut in […]

Alex Pereira successfully makes weight for UFC 291 light heavyweight debut

Making the light heavyweight division climb for the first time in his Octagon tenure, former undisputed middleweight champion, Alex Pereira is officially slated to make his division bow at UFC 291 this weekend, taking on fellow former titleholder, Jan Blachowicz.

Pereira, who had enjoyed a continued middleweight stay in the UFC since his debut in the organization back in November 2021, successfully made weight for his light heavyweight limit bow against Polish contender, Blachowicz this weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah, landing at 205.5 pounds for the title eliminator co-headlining bout.

Alex Pereira successfully makes weight for his UFC 291 return

“The move to light heavyweight is official!” UFC tweeted. @AlexPereiraUFC in at 205.5lbs for tomorrow’s #UFC291 co-main.”

Last making the light heavyweight limit in professional combat sports back in late 2021, Pereira suffered a decision loss to Russian striker, Artem Vakhitov in the pairs light heavyweight championship rematch under the GLORY Kickboxing banner in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

In his most recent Octagon outing, Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion, headlined UFC 287 back in April in Miami, Florida – suffering a stunning second round KO loss to arch-rival, Israel Adesanya in the pair’s middleweight title rematch.

Over the course of his Octagon stint, Alex Pereira has landed wins over Andreas Michailidis, compatriot, Bruno Silva, Sean Strickland, and in his title-clinching performance, stopped Adesanya in a rallying performance at UFC 281 back in November at Madison Square Garden. 

As for opponent, Blachowicz, the career light heavyweight made championship weight at 205lbs for their non-title bout tomorrow in ‘The Beehive State’ – with the victor of tomorrow’s barn-burning co-main event expected to compete for a vacant title against former champion, Jiri Prochazka later this year. 

And following tomorrow’s co-headliner between Blachowicz and Pereira, a lightweight rematch between former interim champions, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje will take main event status, with symbolic BMF spoils up for grabs. 

Will Alex Pereira land at light heavyweight with a bang at UFC 291?

Israel Adesanya warns Jan Blachowicz of Alex Pereira’s power ahead of UFC 291: ‘He’s gonna get caught with a left hook’

Israel Adesanya picks Alex Pereira to KO Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291 predictionAhead of his arch-rival, Alex Pereira’s light heavyweight debut at UFC 291 this weekend, middleweight kingpin, Israel Adesanya has warned former opponent, Jan Blachowicz of the power possessed by the Brazilian – warning him that a potential gameplan would leave him susceptible to a devastating left hook knockout. Adesanya, who has faced both former light […]

Israel Adesanya picks Alex Pereira to KO Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291 prediction

Ahead of his arch-rival, Alex Pereira’s light heavyweight debut at UFC 291 this weekend, middleweight kingpin, Israel Adesanya has warned former opponent, Jan Blachowicz of the power possessed by the Brazilian – warning him that a potential gameplan would leave him susceptible to a devastating left hook knockout.

Adesanya, who has faced both former light heavyweight champion, Blachowicz, and Pereira during his professional mixed martial arts career – has incidentally dropped defeats to both fighters – the only losses of his UFC tenure so far.

Fighting Blachowicz firstly back in 2021, Adesanya, in a light heavyweight championship chase, suffered a unanimous decision loss to the Pole in his 205lbs debut.

And in November of last year, prior to his title reclamation against the Brazilian in April, Adesanya dropped a standing TKO loss to Pereira at Madison Square Garden. 

Israel Adesanya predicts win for Alex Pereira at UFC 291 this weekend

Previewing this weekend’s clash of the two in the co-main event of UFC 291, Adesanya warned Blachowicz how a certain approach – which he feels the Polish veteran will implement, will leave him open to that thunderous left hook counter.

“If Jan (Blachowicz) does what I think he’s gonna do, he’s gonna get caught with a left hook,” Israel Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “I don’t think this goes the distance. If it does, Jan wins. I felt (Blachowicz’s power). I think Alex (Pereira) hits harder. It’s just the way he throws, the technique he throws with, the technique he grounds himself. He’s not running, he’s not moving and throwing. He sits when he gets you where he wants you. Especially against the fence. He’ll sit there and throw, so that’s how he’s able to hit harder.” 

“Jan could definitely learn how to hit harder but if Jan gets him down, I think he’s just going to control him there for three rounds,” Israel Adesanya explained. “I’m going Alex by knockout.” (Transcribed by MMA Fighting)

Can Alex Pereira land a victory in his light heavyweight debut at UFC 291?