Tag: UFC 291

Former UFC champion, Daniel Cormier details why the upcoming Alex Pereira and Jan Blawchowicz won’t be for the vacant light-heavyweight title.

Another twist came in the 205lb division this past week when then reigning champion, Jamahal Hill, had suffered an Achillies injury and would vacant the title. This has now left the need for a light-heavyweight vacant title fight, which will be the fourth of its kind in just three years.

Injuries and results have left the division without a clear cut pecking order, and there is no fights booked between the ranked fighters. However, in what had been as an unofficial number one contender match between former 185lb champion, Pereira, and former 205lb ruler Blachowicz.

Alex Pereira looks set to miss out on an immediate title siege at 205lbs

With no champion and no other clear option, many had suggested that the bout, set for July 29, should be the now vacant light-heavyweight title. However, divisional great, Cormier, does not think that the gold should be on the line

“When we look forward to what’s happening next, dude, Jan B?achowicz and Alex Pereira, I thought, ‘Wow, maybe you make that the title fight,’ because that’s what happened with Glover and Jamahal,” Cormier began. “I called (UFC matchmaker) Mick Maynard, Mick goes, ‘It doesn’t make any sense.’ He goes, ‘Ji?í was supposed to fight for the belt. He was gonna fight Jamahal when he came back.’ He goes, ‘Now you make an interim championship fight, for what? They’re just still the number one contender to fight for a vacant championship when Ji?í comes back.” (H/T MMA News)

Continuing, Cormier clearly believes that adding an undisputed title fight would just confuse the already messy situation.

“So, while the fight between Alex Pereira and Jan B?achowicz became more important, it didn’t become as important as originally thought because they’re not gonna leave with an actual belt. But the result will be the same,” said Cormier. “The winner of that fight will fight Ji?í Procházka when he returns for a championship opportunity. Then you hope that whoever wins that fight and becomes the champ, they can hold on to the title or defend it so that when Jamahal Hill comes back, he’s been promised a title fight.”

Do you agree with Daniel Cormier?

Ahead of his incoming light heavyweight clash against former middleweight champion, Alex Pereira at UFC 291 at the end of this month, former light heavyweight titleholder, Jan Blachowicz stands firm in his plan to share the center of the Octagon with the Brazilian, and slug it out.

Blachowicz, the current number three ranked light heavyweight contender, has been sidelined since he headlined UFC 282 back in December, in an impromptu vacant title fight with Russian contender, Magomed Ankalaev, battling over the course of five rounds to a split decision draw.

As for Pereira, the former two-weight GLORY Kickboxing champion, makes his light heavyweight divisional bow at UFC 291 against Polish veteran, Blachowicz, attempting to return to the winner’s enclosure after dropping his middleweight crown to rival, Israel Adesanya back in April in Miami, Florida. 

Jan Blachowicz plans to stand and strike with Alex Pereira at UFC 291

And ahead of the much-anticipated pairing, former KSW champion, Blachowicz claimed that he would be happy to test his striking against Sao Paulo native, Pereira – and insists he still retains that plan to strike with the latter from the onset of their co-headliner.

“I’m a standup fighter,” Jan Blachowicz told Michael Bisping on the Believe You Me podcast. “I like fighting standup. So, I have to check my standup against someone like (Alex) Pereira, but if i don’t feel good – if I take some punches, for sure, I’m going to use wrestling and take him down. Because also, I’m not stupid, you know – I know what I have to do in this fight. And I’ll use all my tools to do it.”

“I will not go for (a) takedown from the locker room, you know,” Jan Blachowicz explained. “I will stand in the middle of the cage and punch with him. And if something goes wrong, then I will start wrestling – but not earlier.”

Prior to his draw against Ankalaev, Blachowicz took a third round TKO win over fellow contender, Aleksandar Rakic in a main event clash back in May of last year to boot. 

And ahead of UFC 291, Blachowicz’s return against Pereira still retains a three round non-title bout billing, despite calls for the pairing to include a now-vacant light heavyweight title, following the relinquishing of Jamahal Hill last week. 

Despite an apparent leak which appeared to confirm the promotion of this month’s three round clash between former champions, Jan Blachowicz and Alex Pereira to a championship co-headiner at UFC 291, reports have since claimed that the bout is still currently billed to be a non-title showdown.

This Sunday night, reports across social media appeared to point to an advertisement from the official UFC Facebook account, which shared a sponsored post – noting “two title fights” at UFC 291 with Blachowicz’s clash with former middleweight kingpin, Alex Pereira apparently promoted to a vacant light heavyweight title battle.

UFC ad seems to indicate Alex Pereira vs Jan B?achowicz has been promoted to a title fight pic.twitter.com/1Vy6pjscUu

— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) July 16, 2023

However, as per a report from MMA Junkie reporter, Mike Bohn, per a UFC official, the upcoming light heavyweight pairing between former division champion, Blachowicz, and divisional newcomer, Alex Pereira remains a non-title clash at the time of publication.

“UFC official tells me this is a typo and Blahcowicz vs. Pereira currently remains a three-round, non-title fight. #UFC291,” Bohn tweeted. 

UFC official tells me this is a typo and Blachowicz vs. Pereira currently remains a three-round, non-title fight. #UFC291 https://t.co/rZEMbwUYre

— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) July 16, 2023

Earlier this week, the undisputed light heavyweight championship was vacated for the second time in a year, with Dana White’s Contender Series product, Jamahal Hill confirming his decision to officially vacate the crown after suffering a ruptured achilles tendon during a pickup basketball game during International Fight Week earlier this month.

Subsequently, a host of fans called for the addtion of a vacant light heavyweight title fight to UFC 291 on July 29. from Salt Lake City, Utah – with a pairing between former champions, Blachowicz, and Pereira already booked for the pay-per-view card. 

Alex Pereira is slated to make his 205lbs debut later this month

Furthermore, former divisional champion, Jiri Prochazka – who himself took the decision to vacate the title last December after suffering a shoulder injury, weighed up a future title outing against either Blachowicz or former middleweight titleholder, Pereira in his expected Octagon return before the turn of the year. 

UFC 291 takes place on July 29. from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, with a BMF championship title rematch between former interim lightweight champions, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje booked to take headlining honors.