Alex Pereira already announced his intention to move up to light heavyweight after being defeated by KO in the second round against Israel Adesanya and losing the championship belt. He confirms his division change upon learning of his new rival, former champion Jan Blachowiczwith whom the faces will be seen next July 29 for UFC 291. They will co-star in Salt Lake City, in the United States.
The Brazilian gave the big surprise by beating Israel Adesanya by TKO in the fifth round and proclaiming himself UFC middleweight champion. Both fighters had previously faced each other twice in kickboxingwhere Pereira prevailed by unanimous decision and by KO in the third round. Their first matchup in MMA had the same result: victory for the Brazilian. It seemed that Pereira was Adesanya’s black beast. But the New Zealander of Nigerian origin got his revenge, and in his last fight he knocked out in the second round to get his title back.
rang a third showdownbut Dana White, president of the UFC, announced in a press conference that the brazilian would move to light heavyweight. And it is already a fact. Pereira’s jump to his new category is confirmed by announcing his next challenge. He will face the former champion of the category Jan Blachowicz. A tough opponent to debut, but he will have help. In the corner of him will be Glover Teixeiraalso the former champion of the division, who took the title from the Pole.
Blachowicz entered the fight with Teixeira with confidence through the roof. At his 38th birthday (in March 2021) he undefeated Israel Adesanya and retained his Light Heavyweight Championship by unanimous decision. The joy did not last long, since in October Teixeira submitted him in the second round in a lawsuit in which he completely annulled him. In May of last year he returned to the cage. He cleared up doubts by winning by TKO in the second round against the Austrian Aleksandar Rakicwho injured his knee when he stepped badly and the referee had to stop the fight.
After this victory, He claimed to fight for the belt again. And he had his fight. In December he starred in the main event at UFC 282 (where Ilia Topuria defeated Bryce Mitchell) with Magomed Ankalaev. But the title was left without an owner. they signed a no bout by split decision in a closed lawsuit. Now, Blachowicz and Pereira find themselves before a new opportunity to rediscover victory.
The UFC also announced more bouts for UFC 291. paulo costa will face Ikram Aliskerov in a tough fight at middleweight. Michael Chiesa and Kevin Holland will be measured at welterweight, just like Stephen Thompson and Michel Pereira. In the heavyweight division, derrick lewis you will see the faces with Marcos Rogerio de Limaand Tony Ferguson will seek to rediscover the victory against Bobby Brown.