Former middleweight champion Alex Pereira marked his light heavyweight debut against Jan Blachowicz in the co-main event of UFC 291.
UFC 291: Jan Blachowicz vs Alex Pereira
Round 1
Pereira throws a low kick and Blachowicz shoots for a takedown. Pereira defending well against the cage. Pereira locks in a standing guillotine. Blachowicz gets out and continues grappling. Pereira uses heel kicks to attack the calf. Blachowicz manages to get him down. Pereira turns and Blachowicz gets his back. Blachowicz locks in a rear naked choke. Pereira is in trouble but gets out of it. Blachowicz stays on his back with one hook in. Blachowicz goes for another sub attempt from the back and doesn’t get it. Pereira pulls Blachowicz to the front to get him off his back. Blachowicz locks in a choke from the back but Pereira finds a way out. Blachowicz is still on his back completely with a hook in.
Round 2
Pereira jabs to the body. Low kick by Pereira and Blachowicz fires back. Body jab by Pereira. Blachowicz with a jab. Pereira working off the jab now. Low kicks are being traded by both men. Blachowicz jabs to the body. Hard low kick by Pereiira. Blachowicz counters wiith a left hook. Pereira lands a right hand. Blachowicz gets a takedown. Pereira throws an elbow from his back. Pereira moves back to the fence and tries to get up. Pereira is back to his feet and they stay in the clinch. Blachowicz lands a strong knee to the body. Pereira gets out. He throws a jab to the body. Blachowicz with a left hook. Blachowicz with another left hand. Blachowicz fails to get a takedown. Pereira pounces with the right hand and they grapple. They separate. Body jab by Pereira. Uppercut by Pereira. Jab to the body by Pereira. Blachowicz looks like he’s in trouble, he’s exhausted.
Round 3
Pereira with a low kick. Blachowicz seends one backc. Jab to the body by Peereiira. Blachowicz leaps with a ddouble jab. Pereira throws a low kick and a jab to the body. Another low kick by Pereira. Blachowicz with a kick to the body. Pereira is chopping away at Blachowicz’s legs. Low kick by Pereira. Blachowicz blitzes with a three-punch combo. Pereira continues with his jabs to the body. Strong right to the body from Pereira. Preira jabs to the body. Blachowicz shoots for a takedown. They clinch momentarily and separate. Left hand from Blachowicz and another one. Pereira attacks the lead leg. Jab from Blachowicz. Jab from Pereira and another stinging one. Low kick and left hook from Poatan. Jab to the body from Perira. Blachowicz shoots but doesn’t get a takedown. Blachowicz goes for a single leg and gets it. Blachowicz retains position on top with light strikes.
Official Result: Alex Pereira defeats Jan Blachowicz by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
Check out the highlights below:
3 rounds in the books!
Who won on your scorecards? 🧐 #UFC291 pic.twitter.com/ANJqp4mPVJ
— UFC (@ufc) July 30, 2023
BY SPLT DECISION!!@AlexPereiraUFC takes a CLOSE one over Blachowicz at #UFC291! pic.twitter.com/cWEOMioYTu
— UFC (@ufc) July 30, 2023
POATAN BY SPLIT DECISION #UFC291 pic.twitter.com/kHebAZ8rW4
— UFC (@ufc) July 30, 2023
Title shot up next!?@AlexPereiraUFC ready for a chance at 205-lb gold after #UFC291 pic.twitter.com/FqeSvyL4WI
— UFC (@ufc) July 30, 2023
