Tag: Jan Blachowicz

Ex-Champion Jiri Prochazka welcomes vacant UFC title fight with Alex Pereira in return: ‘Who is next?’

Jiri Prochazka weighs up vacant title fight Alex Pereira UFC 291 Who is nextCzech Republic favorite, Jiri Prochazka has reacted to the vacating of the undisputed light heavyweight championship of Jamahal Hill this week, wishing the Illinois native well in rehabilitation – as well as weighing up a return fight with fellow former champions, Jan Blachowicz, and Alex Pereira. Prochazka, a former undisputed light heavyweight champion, has been […]

Jiri Prochazka weighs up vacant title fight Alex Pereira UFC 291 Who is next

Czech Republic favorite, Jiri Prochazka has reacted to the vacating of the undisputed light heavyweight championship of Jamahal Hill this week, wishing the Illinois native well in rehabilitation – as well as weighing up a return fight with fellow former champions, Jan Blachowicz, and Alex Pereira.

Prochazka, a former undisputed light heavyweight champion, has been sidelined himself since headlining UFC 275 back in June of last year, striking divisional gold with a stunning fifth round win over Glover Teixeira, submitting the Brazilian with a rear-naked choke in Singapore.

Slated to defend the crown in an immediate title rematch with Teixeira at UFC 282 back in December of last year, a catastrophic shoulder injury forced the cancellation of the bout, with former Rizin FF champion, Jiri Prochazka electing to relinquish the title to boot.

However, this week, the 205 pound championship was left in limbo once more, with Hill officially announcing his decision to vacate the crown, after rupturing his achilles tendon in a pick-up basketball match during International Fight Week earlier this month. 

In turn, fans have called for the inclusion of a vacant title between the above-mentioned duo of Blachowicz and Pereira – with the former light heavyweight and middleweight champion, respectively, fighting at UFC 291 later this month already.

Jiri Prochazka weighs up fights with Jan Blachowicz or Alex Pereira

Addressing Hill’s decision to vacate the throne, Prochazka, the current number one ranked contender, has wished the former well in his recovery, as well as weighing up his part in the ongoing title situation.

“Man, I’m so sorry, I was really looking forward to our fight,” Jiri Prochazka tweeted to Jamahal Hill. “I appreciate your release of the title. Only a person who has experienced this situation can appreciate such a thing. Who is next? Winner [of] (Jan) Blachowicz vs. (Alex) Pereira or…?”

Ex-Champions Alex Pereira, Jan Blachowicz backed to fight for vacant title at UFC 291: ‘Makes a ton of sense’

Alex Pereira and Jan Blachowicz backed to fight for vacant title at UFC 291 makes a ton of senseFollowing the officially relinquishing of the undisputed light heavyweight championship by Jamahal Hill overnight, social media users have clamored for former Octagon gold holders, Alex Pereira, and Jan Blachowicz to battle for vacant gold in two weeks’ time at UFC 291 in Salt Lake City, Utah. This Friday morning, the undisputed UFC light heavyweight championship […]

Alex Pereira and Jan Blachowicz backed to fight for vacant title at UFC 291 makes a ton of sense

Following the officially relinquishing of the undisputed light heavyweight championship by Jamahal Hill overnight, social media users have clamored for former Octagon gold holders, Alex Pereira, and Jan Blachowicz to battle for vacant gold in two weeks’ time at UFC 291 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

This Friday morning, the undisputed UFC light heavyweight championship was relinquished for the second time in a year, with Dana White’s Contender Series alum, Hill confirming how a ruptured achilles tendon – suffered in a basketball match during International Fight Week, has forced him to vacate his championship belt. 

“I have unfortunately suffered an injury,” Jamahal Hill said. “I’ve ruptured my achilles’. It’s just one of those things that happens. It’s a tough injury. It’s one that will require surgery and will require time and rehab and things for me to be out for a while. Also with that, I was given an opportunity. I was given a blessing that came at the misfortune of someone else. Jiri Prochazka was the champion, he suffered an injury as these things happen. He gave up the belt and allowed for others to not hold the division. To keep the division moving forward. To keep entertaining. To make sure the people had a champion. I’ll do the same.” 

“Right now, the biggest thing is focusing on my recovery, focusing on getting back to 100 percent,” Jamahal Hill explained. “I need to take some time to focus on my health and make sure that I’m 100 percent and I’m the fighter that everybody knows who i am and who I’ve been since I’ve stepped into this. In order to do that, I need to focus on healing and getting ready and rehabbing.” 

Alex Pereira and Jan Blachowicz are booked to feature at UFC 291 already

And already booked to share the Octagon at UFC 291 in a co-headlining slot at the end of the month, fans have called for a vacant title outing between the aforenoted, Jan Blachowicz, and Alex Pereira – with reporters also suggesting a championship clash between the two also seems to fit the bill.

“Throwing a vacant title on Jan Blachowicz vs. Alex Pereira in two weeks’ suddenly makes a ton of sense,” MMA Fighting reporter, Shaheen Al-Shatti tweeted. 

And while according to prominent mixed martial arts reporter, Ariel Helwani, while no discussions have been held regarding the future of the now-vacant crown, a clash between Pereira and Blachowicz can be considered an option.

“Seems like there are two options:” Helwani tweeted. “Make Jan Blachowicz vs. Alex Pereira, which goes down in 15 days at UFC 291, for the vacant title. Winner fights Jiri Prochazka. Or winner of that fight goes up against Prochazka later this year in a vacant title fight.”

Alex Pereira offered advice on UFC 291 return by arch rival Israel Adesanya: ‘You be patient too’

Alex Pereira offered advice on UFC 291 return Israel Adesanya be patientIsrael Adesanya has revealed he offered advice to arch-rival, Alex Pereira ahead of the Brazilian’s return to the Octagon against soon-to-be common-foe, Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291 next month – urging the Sao Paulo native to be “patient” in his approach against the Pole. Adesanya, a two-time and current undisputed middleweight champion, reclaimed the divisional […]

Alex Pereira offered advice on UFC 291 return Israel Adesanya be patient

Israel Adesanya has revealed he offered advice to arch-rival, Alex Pereira ahead of the Brazilian’s return to the Octagon against soon-to-be common-foe, Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291 next month – urging the Sao Paulo native to be “patient” in his approach against the Pole.

Adesanya, a two-time and current undisputed middleweight champion, reclaimed the divisional crown back in April at UFC 287, stopping Brazilian striker, Pereira with a stunning second round KO in Miami, Florida.

In November of last year, Alex Pereira managed to clinch the middleweight title from Adesanya with a stunning fifth round standing TKO win over the latter – rallying to defeat the City Kickboxing staple at Madison Square Garden, just a year after his promotional bow with the UFC.

Israel Adesanya offers advice to Alex Pereira ahead of UFC 291 comeback

And set to make his return to active competition at UFC 291 in July, Pereira, who makes a light heavyweight divisional bow against the aforenoted, Blachowicz, was offered advice on his game plan by Adesanya – during their chance meeting during security screening at an airport in Australia.

“We talked, went through security, took our shoes off,” Israel Adesanya said during an appearance on IMPAULSIVE. “And then we’re waiting for our bags to come through the belt, our and then we talked about – I was like, ‘Jan next, right?’ He’s fighting the guy, first MMA loss for me, when I went up to 205 [pounds]. He kinda has the same idea.”

“Through our limited conversation skills, because of his English and my Portuguese, we kinda had the same idea of what’s gonna happen,” Israel Adesanya explained. “But I had to let him know, I thought the same thing when I fought Jan. I thought Jan was gonna attack me a little bit more but he was patient. So, I kinda let him [Alex Pereira] know, you be patient too, I didn’t wanna say too much, but, yeah.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

Alex Pereira tipped to land title shot with UFC 291 win over Jan Blachowicz: ‘He’s in a pretty damn good spot’

Alex Pereira tipped to challenge for title with UFC 291 win he's in a pretty damn good spotUFC president, Dana White has confirmed that while nothing his “guaranteed” for former middleweight champion, Alex Pereira in terms of a title siege at the light heavyweight limit following his UFC 291 next month, a victory over fellow ex-titleholder, Jan Blachowicz would land him in a “pretty damn good spot” to stake his claim. Pereira, […]

Alex Pereira tipped to challenge for title with UFC 291 win he's in a pretty damn good spot

UFC president, Dana White has confirmed that while nothing his “guaranteed” for former middleweight champion, Alex Pereira in terms of a title siege at the light heavyweight limit following his UFC 291 next month, a victory over fellow ex-titleholder, Jan Blachowicz would land him in a “pretty damn good spot” to stake his claim.

Pereira, the current #1 ranked middleweight contender, is slated to make his Octagon return at UFC 291 in July – making his light heavyweight division debut in an outing against former undisputed division kingpin, Blachowicz in a co-main event bracket.

Atop that pay-per-view event in Salt Lake City, Utah – a high-stakes potential lightweight title-eliminator is set – with former interim division champions, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje topping the Delta Center event.

Initially suggesting an immediate title offing with current undisputed light heavyweight best, Jamahal Hill in his divisional bow, Pereira, a former two-weight GLORY Kickboxing gold holder has been pitted against Polish veteran, Blachowicz instead.

Alex Pereira calls for title opportunity at light heavyweight limit

However, according to White, the Sao Paulo striker may not have to wait long to potentially fight for light heavyweight spoils in a bid to reclaim UFC gold, with a victory over Blachowicz appearing to prime him for another championship siege.

“Nothing is ever guaranteed,” Dana White told assembled media following UFC Vegas 74. “But yeah, if he (Alex Pereira) beats Jan (Blachowicz), he’s in a pretty damn good spot [to fight for a light heavyweight championship]. [It’s] not a bad place to be if you beat Jan.”

Most recently headlining UFC 287 back in April of this year, Brazilian knockout artist, Pereira suffered a stunning second round KO loss to four-fight rival, Israel Adesanya – dropping the undisputed middleweight crown in the pair’s Octagon rematch in Miami, Florida. 

Chael Sonnen questions the star power of ‘narcissists’ Alex Pereira and Jan Blachowicz

Chael SonnenUFC legend, Chael Sonnen (30-17-1 MMA) has explained why believes Alex Pereira (7-2 MMA) and Jan Blachowicz (29-9-1 MMA) are “narcissists” that don’t know how to sell a fight.  Sonnen’s outburst follows the announcement from UFC President, Dana White who revealed that Alex Pereira will take on Jan Blachowicz in the co-main event at UFC […]

Chael Sonnen

UFC legend, Chael Sonnen (30-17-1 MMA) has explained why believes Alex Pereira (7-2 MMA) and Jan Blachowicz (29-9-1 MMA) are “narcissists” that don’t know how to sell a fight. 

Sonnen’s outburst follows the announcement from UFC President, Dana White who revealed that Alex Pereira will take on Jan Blachowicz in the co-main event at UFC 291. 

‘Poatan’ was originally the UFC’s middleweight champion ensuing from his TKO finish over rival, Israel Adesanya (24-2 MMA) at UFC 281 in 2022. The Brazilian’s win over the long-standing 185lbs champion shocked the world, winning UFC gold in just his fourth UFC bout. 

Pereira’s decision to move up to the 205lbs division came after he was finally defeated by Adesanya in what was a dramatic knockout loss at UFC 287.  

The former light heavyweight champion, Blachowicz is set to welcome the new addition to the 205lbs division, Alex Pereira next month. 

With it being Alex Pereira’s light heavyweight debut in the UFC, ‘Poatan’ is hoping it will put him on track to another UFC title in a weight class that requires a less minacious weight-cutting experience.  

The winner of this showdown will most likely be rewarded with the next title opportunity. Although there is much at stake for both combatants, Chael Sonnen isn’t falling for the hype, believing fans don’t have that much of an interest when it comes to Pereira Vs. Blachowicz. 

Chael Sonnen labels Alex Pereira and Jan Blachowicz “narcissists”, and explains why they aren’t big draws when it comes to the UFC

In a recent upload to his YouTube channel, Sonnen explained why he thinks both Pereira and Blachowicz assume it’s their fighting ability and previous accomplishments are selling the fight. Instead, the 46-year-old reaffirms that neither of them are draws in the eyes of the UFC. 

“From the department of who cares comes B?achowicz vs. Pereira, well I don’t mean that to sound like a jerk, but you have two guys that don’t have the ability to bring interest to anything. They’re just not equipped with that. So you gotta understand you’re dealing with two narcissists, both B?achowicz and Pereira. I never met them. You’re dealing with two narcissists clinically,” Sonnen stated.

Chael Sonnen used the term ‘narcissist’ to describe both Alex Pereira and Jan Blachowicz. He believes that the issue comes from both fighters and the promotion, as they assume that the average fan will know the backstory of the fight. Sonnen also clarified that anyone who competes in combat sports is typically going to be a narcissist and he would know because he is one. 

“Along with narcissism comes an idea that everybody knows what it is that you have done. Everybody knows the significance of this fight,” Chael Sonnen exclaimed.

“I could make this a really great spoiler, and I could do it really quickly. They narcissistically believe that I already have, and I don’t mean me, your intellectual superior Chael Sonnen. I’m talking just the average viewer.”

“The average viewer has already put together that we have a guy who beat a guy three times vs. the guy where they fought once, and it was pretty competitive but he got taken down, and we got a world champion here vs. a former world champion up here. This guy’s first time coming up, and this guy’s known for the power on his feet, but this guy is as technical as they come. They think the world knows that, and they don’t. The viewer that watches every single Saturday doesn’t find what I just said to be interesting.”

The Oregon native feels that the UFC’s decision to put the light heavyweight bout as the co-main event was a tell that the UFC didn’t feel that it would sell as well as Dustin Poirier (29-7 MMA) vs. Justin Gaethje (24-4 MMA) at UFC 291. 

This is in spite of the fact that the fight between Pereira and Blachowicz has title implications. 

Regardless of whether Chael Sonnen thinks they are draws or not, he admits the fight intrigues him and is looking forward to finding out who will be challenging for the belt he once challenged for against Jon Jones (27-1 MMA) at UFC 159.

Do you think Chael Sonnen has a point?

Ex-UFC champion Alex Pereira details airport run-in with Israel Adesanya, talks future fight with Jamahal Hill

Alex PereiraAlex Pereira shared details about his recent run-in with longtime rival Israel Adesanya at an airport. Pereira has had a long and storied history with ‘The Last Stylebender’ dating back to their days competing under the GLORY Kickboxing banner in the 2010s. It was there that the Brazilian boogeyman scored back-to-back wins against Adesanya, including […]

Alex Pereira

Alex Pereira shared details about his recent run-in with longtime rival Israel Adesanya at an airport.

Pereira has had a long and storied history with ‘The Last Stylebender’ dating back to their days competing under the GLORY Kickboxing banner in the 2010s. It was there that the Brazilian boogeyman scored back-to-back wins against Adesanya, including a vicious third-round knockout at Glory of Heroes 15 in 2017. Fast forward five years and the two familiar foes would meet once again inside the Octagon. Pereira picked up right where he left off, earning a shocking fifth-round knockout to capture the middleweight world championship at UFC 281.

Adesanya would finally break through, scoring his own highlight-reel-worthy knockout against Alex Pereira in their MMA rematch at UFC 287. Despite the two fighters sitting at 1-1 inside the Octagon, both men have seemingly accepted that their April rematch was the end of the line and neither man appears to hold ill will toward the other. During an appearance on MMA Fighting’s Portuguese-language podcast Trocação Franca, Alex Pereira discussed his recent run-in with Adesanya while departing Australia and revealed that the two combat sports icons were very cordial with one another, even sharing a laugh during the brief interaction.

“We were both in Australia and at the same hotel, some people from my crew saw him there but we never actually met there,” Pereira said. “When we were leaving, at the Los Angeles [to] New York connection, we met in the line and said hi, had some laughs. I got there first, he came in after, and we greeted.”

Alex Pereira admits that a rivalry with ‘The Last Stylebender’ will always exist, but right now, ‘Poatan’ is turning his attention toward his next test, Jan Blachowicz.

“The rivalry will always exist,” Pereira said. “I’m fighting [Jan Blachowicz] now, I have to have rivalry with the guy I’m fighting, you know? He’s in there and he wants to kill me, and I want to do the same to him. How am I going to treat him [nicely]? I have to be mean there.

“It’s the same thing with Adesanya. For example, if I were to fight him again, we would have a rivalry. But now, why? We’ll meet; Adesanya, he’s there with a teammate, I’m in the same spot, and we can’t [cross paths] because we’ll destroy the whole place and beat each other up? That doesn’t exist. That type of rivalry doesn’t exist with me.”

Alex Pereira Sets Sights on Conquering the Light Heavyweight Division Before an Inevitable Return to Middleweight

Alex Pereira’s cut to the middleweight division was a daunting task that required weeks of preparation and torment, but ‘Poatan’ is confident that he can continue to compete at 185 should the opportunity present itself. For now, the former multi-time world champion is going to give his body a rest by competing at light heavyweight but he fully intends on making his way back to middleweight once he has conquered the 205-pound weight class.

“I can make 185 right now,” he said. “If I had to make [185] on July 29. I could, but I have to give my body a rest from this weight cut. So I’ll fight two or three times in this division. I don’t know what can happen [next], but I think I’ll be recovered to fight again at 185.”

With his light heavyweight debut scheduled for UFC 291 on July 29, Alex Pereira is already looking ahead to a potential clash with the division’s reigning titleholder, Jamahal Hill.

“It’s a fight that will sell a lot,” Pereira said of potentially facing Hill. “I think he’s going to fight one more time and I’ll root for him to win, because it’s a fight that will sell a lot, and that’s a fight I want, if I were to choose. Between Prochazka and Jamahal, I’d choose Jamahal.”

Alex Pereira suggested that his next opponent, Jan Blachowicz, is a more technical fighter than Hill, but recognizes that ‘Sweet Dreams’ will present a more intriguing matchup for the fans and himself.

“I think Blachowicz is more technical,” Pereira added. “Jamahal is more crazy, hits a bit too open — which is dangerous, but at that same time that’s very good for me.”