Tag: Jan Blachowicz

Jan Blachowicz eyes UFC heavyweight move, fight with Tom Aspinall: ‘That would be very good for me’

Jan Blachowicz calls for UFC heavyweight move and fight with Tom Aspinall good for meFormer undisputed light heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowicz is weighing up a move to the UFC’s heavyweight ranks following his decision loss to fellow former titleholder, Alex Pereira at the end of last month – and suggests an immediate showdown with recent big-winner, Tom Aspinall. Blachowicz, who most recently co-headlined UFC 291 at the end of […]

Jan Blachowicz calls for UFC heavyweight move and fight with Tom Aspinall good for me

Former undisputed light heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowicz is weighing up a move to the UFC’s heavyweight ranks following his decision loss to fellow former titleholder, Alex Pereira at the end of last month – and suggests an immediate showdown with recent big-winner, Tom Aspinall.

Blachowicz, who most recently co-headlined UFC 291 at the end of July in Salt Lake City, Utah, suffered a close, split decision loss to former middleweight champion, Pereira, in the Brazilian’s first venture at the light heavyweight limit during his brief Octagon tenure.

Jan Blachowicz eyes heavyweight landing against Tom Aspinall

And the Pole, who struck vacant gold against Dominick Reyes back in 2020 before successfully defending the title against incumbent middleweight titleholder, Israel Adesanya the following year, has revealed he has plans to notify the UFC of plans to make a stunning heavyweight division climb.

“Of course, why not?” Jan Blachowicz told Sportsnaut of a heavyweight division move. “You opened something in my mind, so yeah, we’re going to ask UFC about the opportunity of heavyweight. It’s something I have to think about.”

I need to watch them carefully, because when I watch the heavyweights I just watch for the fight,” Jan Blachowicz explained. “I don’t watch to analyse them, but (Tom) Aspinall did a great job in his last fight. That would be something very good for me for the first first stop in heavyweight.” (Transcribed by MMA News)

As for Aspinall, the Atherton native most recently headlined a UFC London event back in July against Polish veteran, Marcin Tybura, marking his return from a catastrophic knee injury the year before with a blistering opening round TKO win.

The British heavyweight has noted his intentions in landing a heavyweight title fight with the current division champion, Jon Jones, with the Endicott native set to headline UFC 295 in November at Madison Square Garden. 

Would you like to see Jan Blachowicz fight Tom Aspinall next?

Jan Blachowicz claims robbery after loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 291: ‘Bunch of thieves, they robbed me’

Jan Blachowicz claims he was robbed by judges in decision loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 291Former UFC light-heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowicz reacts to his loss to Alex Pereira last night at UFC 291. In a fight to determine who will face Jiri Prochazka for the now vacant light-heavyweight title, Pereira and Blachowicz would do battle over a competitive three rounds. The pair both entered the contest hungry to regain UFC […]

Jan Blachowicz claims he was robbed by judges in decision loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 291

Former UFC light-heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowicz reacts to his loss to Alex Pereira last night at UFC 291.

In a fight to determine who will face Jiri Prochazka for the now vacant light-heavyweight title, Pereira and Blachowicz would do battle over a competitive three rounds. The pair both entered the contest hungry to regain UFC gold, knowing it was just within arm’s length.

Pereira entered the contest just three months after dropping this middleweight title to Israel Adesanya via a dramatic KO. The Brazilian elected to move up in weight to 205lb and was immediately matched with the No.3 ranked Pole.

Blachowicz came in looking to bonce back from a disappoint last outing against Magomed Ankalaev last December. The fight, which was for the vacant light-heavyweight title would end in a draw after a lacklustre affair.

Jan Blachowicz Vs. Alex Pereira decision

After showing a variability, Blachowicz was expected to test Pereira’s grappling and the 40-year-old wasted no time in doing so. Quickly looking for the single leg, Blachowicz fought through Pereira’s guillotine attempt to land a takedown. From there, Blachowicz would threaten submissions and control ‘Poatan’ for the remainder of the first round.

However, Pereira would bounce back by fending off Blachowicz’s attempts to grapple while showing off his elite striking. Pereira enjoyed the striking success in the second and third, although Blachowicz was certainly not outclassed in this department, did sustain serious damage his leg.

Blachowicz did end up on top in the final round but did not land any particularly damaging shots. At the end of the contest, the score cards read 29-28, 28-29, 29-28 in favour of Pereira via split decision.

Online opinion seems to be split, with a considerable amount of people awarding it to Blachowicz. Posting to his Instagram, he would react to the score cards – claiming robbery.

“Bunch of thieves, they robbed me. Anyway, thank you all for your support. I’ll be back,” said Jan Blachowicz.

Who do you think won, Jan Blachowicz or Alex Pereira?

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…