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Huge win in 205-pound debut
Pereira defeated Jan Blachowicz via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) at UFC 291 on Saturday in Salt Lake City.
ANALYSIS
This was a pick 'em when the fight began, proving once again that Vegas knows all. In many ways, it played out as expected. Making his light heavyweight debut, Pereira was the far more dangerous man in the stand-up. He wisely leaned on leg kicks to slow Jan down. Alex's issues came in the grappling department. He allowed Blachowicz to land one takedown in each frame, but to Pereira's credit, Round 1 was the only stanza in which he found himself in real trouble, fighting off multiple deep submission attempts. The big surprise of the bout was the fact Alex had the better cardio. It's a great win, but it was far from a dominating performance, and Pereira's grappling defense remains a question mark. He's almost certainly going to fight for the now-vacant 205-pound championship with the win, however.
This was a pick 'em when the fight began, proving once again that Vegas knows all. In many ways, it played out as expected. Making his light heavyweight debut, Pereira was the far more dangerous man in the stand-up. He wisely leaned on leg kicks to slow Jan down. Alex's issues came in the grappling department. He allowed Blachowicz to land one takedown in each frame, but to Pereira's credit, Round 1 was the only stanza in which he found himself in real trouble, fighting off multiple deep submission attempts. The big surprise of the bout was the fact Alex had the better cardio. It's a great win, but it was far from a dominating performance, and Pereira's grappling defense remains a question mark. He's almost certainly going to fight for the now-vacant 205-pound championship with the win, however.
Next fight scheduled
Pereira will take on Jan Blachowicz in a light heavyweight matchup at UFC 291 on July 29 in Salt Lake City, Shaheed Al-Shatti of MMA Fighting.com reports Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Pereira is coming off a tough loss to Israel Adesanya in the second round at UFC 287. He'll look to right the ship by moving up a weight class and facing Jan Blachowicz, who drew with Magomed Ankalaev in his last contest. Pereira had a four-fight winning streak in UFC bouts up to the Adesanya loss, while Blachowicz has only lost three times in the last six years. For Pereira, it was always a noticeably difficult cut to 185 pounds, and he was always considered huge for the middleweight division. He should be a fresher fighter with a lesser weight cut, though he faces a new level of power against a former champion in Blachowicz.
Pereira is coming off a tough loss to Israel Adesanya in the second round at UFC 287. He'll look to right the ship by moving up a weight class and facing Jan Blachowicz, who drew with Magomed Ankalaev in his last contest. Pereira had a four-fight winning streak in UFC bouts up to the Adesanya loss, while Blachowicz has only lost three times in the last six years. For Pereira, it was always a noticeably difficult cut to 185 pounds, and he was always considered huge for the middleweight division. He should be a fresher fighter with a lesser weight cut, though he faces a new level of power against a former champion in Blachowicz.
Title reign quickly ends
Pereira dropped the UFC Middleweight Championship on Saturday, losing to Israel Adesanya via KO (punches) at 4:24 of Round 2 at UFC 287 in Miami.
ANALYSIS
Pereira's title reign lasted about five months. The crazy thing is that he looked better the vast majority of this fight than nearly all of the first bout between the two. Once again, Alex worked behind his low kicks. He consistently damaged Izzy to the legs, and that led to openings up top. The first round could have gone either way, but Pereira eventually cornered Adesanya along the fence late in Round 2 and began unloading. Then, out of nowhere, everything turned. Alex got clipped with one shot to the chin which slightly wobbled him before eating another just behind the ear which knocked him out cold. Neither appeared to be particularly brutal blows, but Alex didn't handle either well, and it cost him his belt. It's important to remember this was although Pereira will be 36 years of age this coming July, this was just his ninth professional bout following his long career in kickboxing. It's not out of the realm of possibility the company books these two for a third time given the fact they are tied 1-1.
Pereira's title reign lasted about five months. The crazy thing is that he looked better the vast majority of this fight than nearly all of the first bout between the two. Once again, Alex worked behind his low kicks. He consistently damaged Izzy to the legs, and that led to openings up top. The first round could have gone either way, but Pereira eventually cornered Adesanya along the fence late in Round 2 and began unloading. Then, out of nowhere, everything turned. Alex got clipped with one shot to the chin which slightly wobbled him before eating another just behind the ear which knocked him out cold. Neither appeared to be particularly brutal blows, but Alex didn't handle either well, and it cost him his belt. It's important to remember this was although Pereira will be 36 years of age this coming July, this was just his ninth professional bout following his long career in kickboxing. It's not out of the realm of possibility the company books these two for a third time given the fact they are tied 1-1.
Fighting Adesanya at UFC 287
Pereira will fight Israel Adesanya at UFC 287 on April 8, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
After defeating Adesanya in November, Pereira will now attempt to defend his title during a rematch in April. Pereira has yet to lose a fight in the UFC, meanwhile Adesanya sits at 12-2 in the promotion.
After defeating Adesanya in November, Pereira will now attempt to defend his title during a rematch in April. Pereira has yet to lose a fight in the UFC, meanwhile Adesanya sits at 12-2 in the promotion.
Wins title with stunning late KO
Pereira defeated Israel Adesanya via KO/TKO (punches) at 2:01 of Round 5 at UFC 281 on Saturday in New York.
ANALYSIS
Combat sports may be poetic after all, as Pereira was out on his feet in the first round as time expired. The Brazilian fighter was able to make his way back to the stool and continued to back his opponent up against the fence, looking to unload combinations. Adesanya was able to have success grappling in Round 3, but Pereira defended all takedown attempts thereafter and let loose in the final frame to notch a standing KO against the side of the Octagon. A rematch is almost certainly in the offing, as all three judges had Adesanya up three rounds to one heading into the final frame, but as long as Pereira is able to back "The Last Stylebender" against the cage, he has a good shot at closing the show. Pereira improves to 7-1-0 in professional MMA, making him the second-least experienced fighter to capture a championship behind Brock Lesnar. He'll also take home a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his efforts here.
Combat sports may be poetic after all, as Pereira was out on his feet in the first round as time expired. The Brazilian fighter was able to make his way back to the stool and continued to back his opponent up against the fence, looking to unload combinations. Adesanya was able to have success grappling in Round 3, but Pereira defended all takedown attempts thereafter and let loose in the final frame to notch a standing KO against the side of the Octagon. A rematch is almost certainly in the offing, as all three judges had Adesanya up three rounds to one heading into the final frame, but as long as Pereira is able to back "The Last Stylebender" against the cage, he has a good shot at closing the show. Pereira improves to 7-1-0 in professional MMA, making him the second-least experienced fighter to capture a championship behind Brock Lesnar. He'll also take home a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his efforts here.