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Alex Pereira lands in top-3 at light heavyweight in rankings update following UFC 291 victory

Alex Pereira lands at number three in light heavyweight division new rankings update after UFC 291 Off the back of a successful light heavyweight division debut at UFC 291 over the weekend, former middleweight champion, Alex Pereira has landed at number three in the official divisional pile, following his win over former gold holder, Jan Blachowicz. Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion, co-headlined UFC 291 on Saturday in Salt Lake City, […]

Off the back of a successful light heavyweight division debut at UFC 291 over the weekend, former middleweight champion, Alex Pereira has landed at number three in the official divisional pile, following his win over former gold holder, Jan Blachowicz.

Pereira, a former undisputed middleweight champion, co-headlined UFC 291 on Saturday in Salt Lake City, Utah, rebounding to the winner’s enclosure following a second round KO loss to arch-rival, Israel Adesanya back in April in the pair’s championship clash.

Securing a close, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) win over Polish veteran, Blachowicz, Pereira who entered last weekend’s light heavyweight debut against the former champion as the number two ranked middleweight contender, has now landed at number three at 205lbs, following his victory.

Above Alex Pereira sits just Russian contender, Magomed Ankalaev – who was recently booked to make his return at UFC 294 in October, as he takes on Pereira’s compatriot, Johnny Walker in his first Octagon walk of the year.

Alex Pereira expected to challenge for light heavyweight gold next

Expected to challenge for vacant light heavyweight gold in his sophomore light heavyweight outing, Pereira has been welcomed as a potential title opponent by current number one ranked contender and former titleholder, Jiri Prochazka to boot.

“Yeah, sure – not sure, it’s not confirmed yet from UFC, but that’s the – my next fight will be the title, so I think Alex (Pereira) is the very good chance to show the world a good title fight,”Jiri Prochazka told MMA Fighting during a recent interview. “And I like to see him like opponent in my next fight.”

Now boasting an impressive 5-1 promotional record since he November 2021 landing in the organization, Pereira managed to strike middleweight gold back in November of last year at Madison Square Garden, rallying to land a fifth round standing TKO win over the previously mentioned, Adesanya.

Do you agree with Alex Pereira’s debut ranking at light heavyweight?

Jiri Prochazka calls for Alex Pereira title clash after UFC 291: ‘I’d like to see him in my next fight’

Former undisputed light heavyweight champion, Jiri Prochazka has welcomed the possibility of a vacant division title clash with former middleweight champion, Alex Pereira in his return to the Octagon – after the Brazilian’s split decision win over former titleholder, Jan Blachowicz in the pair’s title eliminator at UFC 291. Prochazka, the current number one ranked […]

Prochazka, the current number one ranked light heavyweight contender, has been sidelined since he featured atop a UFC 275 card back in June of last year in Singapore, defeating Pereira’s training partner and former champion, Glover Teixeira in the pair’s title showcase.

Suffering a catastrophic shoulder injury in December of last year, and choosing to vacate the light heavyweight throne, Czech Republic native, Prochazka claimed he would be fighting for Octagon gold in his immediate return to action.

And following the recent relinquishing of gold by Jamahal Hill who suffered an achilles injury earlier this month, Prochazka turned his attention to a vacant championship offing with either Blachowicz and Pereira.

Turning in a close, split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) win over former champion, Blachowicz in his light heavyweight division bow over the weekend in the co-main event of UFC 291, Pereira called for a title fight in his sophomore 205lbs walk.

Jiri Prochazka welcomes title fight with Alex Pereira after UFC 291

And as far as Prochazka is concerned, a pairing with Sao Paulo knockout artist, Pereira would likely produce an exciting title fight – which he expects to take place in his return.

Do you think Jiri Prochazka fights Alex Pereira in his return to UFC?

Dustin Poirier coy after KO loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 291: ‘I lost to somebody I think I’m better than’

Former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has claimed that despite his earth-shattering second round KO loss to fellow former interim gold holder, Justin Gaethje in the pair’s rematch, he thinks he’s “better” than the Arizona native. Headlining UFC 291 over the course of the weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah, Poirier suffered a stunning second […]

Headlining UFC 291 over the course of the weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah, Poirier suffered a stunning second round loss to two-time opponent, Gaethje in the pair’s re-run of a 2018 clash in Glendale, Arizona.

Sent to the canvas with a spectacular right high-kick knockout, Lafayette native, Poirier suffered his first knockout defeat to common-opponent, Michael Johnson in a headliner back in 2016.

Rematching Gaethje in ‘The Beehive State’, Poirier had previously stopped his fellow former interim gold holder in 2018 with a fourth round standing TKO.

Dustin Poirier claims he’s still better than Justin Gaethje following UFC 291

Admitting that while fans and pundits in attendance were not attending his “funeral” off the back of his stunning knockout loss to Gaethje at UFC 291, Poirier appears to have a chip on his shoulder regarding the outcome of their re-run, claiming that he believes he’s still better than the former.

“Khabib (Nurmagomedov) was better than me,” Dustin Poirier said during an interview with MMA Fighting. “I lost Saturday [at UFC 291] to somebody [Justin Gaethje] I think I’m better than.”

“I was away from home for nine weeks in training camp, you know,” Dustin Poirier explained. “I dieted 11 weeks, sacrificed so much, really – was really focused, man, was really, really focused. And felt great – the best I’ve ever felt. Honestly, the best I’ve ever felt.”

Seeing his flawless run of victories in subsequent rematches come to a halt with his high-kick knockout loss to Gaethje over the weekend, Poirier had previously defeated his fellow former Octagon champions, Conor McGregor, Max Holloway, and promotional alum, Eddie Alvarez in resounding rematch outings.

Do you agree with Dustin Poirier’s comments after his UFC 291 loss?

Jorge Masvidal rips Conor McGregor following UFC 291 call out: ‘Shut your mouth you pissing hot midget’

Former two-time welterweight title challenger, Jorge Masvidal has hit out at long-time rival, former two-weight titleholder, Conor McGregor – after the Dubliner poked fun at Dustin Poirier after his BMF title fight loss at UFC 291 over the weekend, as well as calling out minted symbolic belt holder, Justin Gaethje. Masvidal, a former two-time welterweight […]

Masvidal, a former two-time welterweight title challenger and inaugural BMF titleholder, retired from professional mixed martial arts back in April of this year in his native Miami, slumping to his fourth consecutive loss in the form of a unanimous decision defeat against Brazilian contender, Gilbert Burns.

As for McGregor, the recently-turned 35-year-old has still yet to return to the Octagon since he fractured his left tibia and fibula back in July 2021 – in his trilogy rubber-match with the aforenoted, Poirier.

And yet to book a planned welterweight return against opposing coach on The Ultimate Fighter 31, Michael Chandler, McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion, appeared to veto the bout with Chandler, in favor of a scrap with UFC 291 headliner, Gaethje.

Despite issuing a call out to the Arizona native, McGregor immediately saw his wishes shot down by Gaethje, who alluded to alleged performance-enhancing drug use from the Crumlin striker – who in turn, predicted a one-punch KO win over the lightweight favorite.

Jorge Masvidal hits out at long-time rival, Conor McGregor

Jumping to the defense of UFC 291 headliners Poirier and Gaethje, outspoken Floridian veteran, Masvidal also accused McGregor of PED use, and claimed he was scared to utter his name.

“@TheNotoriousMMA shut ur mouth you pissing hot midget ur not cleared to fight,” Jorge Masvidal tweeted at Conor McGregor. “Talking about fighters going thru the grind and process. I bet you never say my name you scared.”

Prior to his leg injury against Poirier, McGregor suffered his first knockout loss in professional mixed martial arts back in January 2021, dropping a second round KO on ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi, UAE to Masvidal’s training partner.

do you think Jorge Masvidal and Conor McGregor will ever settle their beef?

Stephen Thompson confirms he has not received show money for UFC 291: ‘I’ve done everything I’m supposed to do’

Former two-time undisputed welterweight title challenger, Stephen Thompson has confirmed following multiple reports, that he has yet to receive his show money from the UFC, despite successfully making weight for a planned main card fight with Brazilian contender, Michel Pereira over the weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah. Thompson, the current number seven ranked welterweight […]

Thompson, the current number seven ranked welterweight contender, has been sidelined since he took main event honors at UFC Fight Night Orlando back in December of last year, returning to winning-ways in an eventual fourth round corner stoppage TKO win against Kevin Holland.

However, booked to return to the Octagon at UFC 291 over the course of the weekend in ‘The Beehive State’, Thompson saw a promoted welterweight clash on the main card of the event against the aforenoted, Pereira ultimately cancelled, after the Brazilian missed weight for the pairing by three pounds.

And during the UFC 291 event, reports detailed how Thompson, who had elected against fighting Pereira amid the large weight miss, was not paid his show money by the organization.

Stephen Thompson hopeful of receiving show money following UFC 291

Confirming how he had not received payment from the Dana White-led promotion, Simpsonsville striking veteran, Thompson remained optimistic that he would receive his pay, however, admitted that he did everything that was asked of him.

“At this point, my management is talking with the UFC – nothing yet,” Stephen Thompson said during an interview on MMA Fighting. “I know Dana White is on vacation – that guy is a workaholic, so, well deserved, but I feel like the UFC is going to do right by me, you know.”

“I’ve done everything that I am supposed to do,” Stephen Thompson explained. “And, you know, I’ve tried to be as honorable as possible when it comes to signing my contracts and abiding by it, and doing what the UFC said – and I’ve done what they’ve wanted of me. And I feel like they’re gonna do right by me. So, things are still in talks. I think they’re waiting for Dana White to come back from his vacation, and we’ll go from there. But at this point, nothing. Yeah.”

Who would you like to see Stephen Thompson fight next?

Conor McGregor mocks Michael Chandler and the UFC following Justin Gaethje’s epic BMF title win

Conor McGregor really doesn’t like all the attention that Justin Gaethje is receiving these days. On Saturday night, Gaethje scored one of the biggest wins of his mixed martial arts career, delivering a brilliantly-time head kick that sent his opponent, Dustin Poirier, crashing the canvas less than a minute into the second round. As the […]

Conor McGregor really doesn’t like all the attention that Justin Gaethje is receiving these days.

On Saturday night, Gaethje scored one of the biggest wins of his mixed martial arts career, delivering a brilliantly-time head kick that sent his opponent, Dustin Poirier, crashing the canvas less than a minute into the second round. As the new owner of the promotion’s coveted bragging rights belt, the BMF title, everyone seems interested in cashing in on the moment by challenging ‘The Highlight’ to a fight.

It should come as no surprise that the first to do so was perennial tweeter-and-deleter, Conor McGregor. The Irish megastar immediately took to social media following Justin Gaethje’s ‘Headshot, Dead‘ sequel and seemingly challenged ‘The Highlight’ to a true clash of BMFs.

“I’m the real bmf, he can fight for pennies if he wants but I want spirits, I call the shots, I’m in it to launch shots, f*ck Chandler, you want it call for it,” McGregor tweeted.

Following suit, Michael Chandler also called for a potential clash with Justin Gaethje, though his approach was a bit more subtle. “Well now @Justin_Gaethje has the #BMF belt – he has to defend it against a worthy adversary,” Chandler wrote.

McGregor quoted the tweet from Chandler and responded with a laughing emoji. The Irishman issued a similar response when the official UFC Twitter account posted, “That’s one bad MF right there,” in reference to Gaethje’s knockout of Dustin Poirier.

Conor McGregor Continues to Insist His 2023 Return is Imminent

Conor McGregor has been linked to a fight with ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler long before their stint on this year’s season of The Ultimate Fighter began to air. Initially, the two lightweight stars were scheduled to scrap in late 2023, but that has become increasingly unlikely as the Irishman has failed to re-enter the USADA testing pool for a required six months of pre-fight screening. Despite that glaring detail, McGregor and UFC President Dana White have remained insistent that the long-awaited bout could still go down in December.

Whether or not Conor McGregor makes his return before the end of the year, it likely won’t be opposite Justin Gaethje as ‘The Highlight’ clearly has his sights set on capturing the UFC lightweight world championship.