Pereira kept the upper hand during the striking exchanges as Blachowicz retaliated with a charging combination.
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In an eagerly anticipated co-feature event at UFC 291, Alex Pereira impressed with his skills in the light heavyweight division. He secured a hard-fought victory against former champion Jan Blachowicz, engaging audiences who were on the edges of their seats. This intense battle unfolded at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
Blachowicz started his fight with a clear strategy: neutralize Pereira’s striking threat by attempting an early takedown. Despite facing the challenge, Pereira remained calm and countered with a guillotine choke, which Blachowicz swiftly defended. As the fight progressed, Blachowicz managed to bring the battle to the ground and secure Pereira’s back, gaining significant control throughout the first round.
Undeterred, Pereira regrouped in the second round and showcased his resilience by effectively utilizing his left jab. In response, Blachowicz attempted leg kicks, but Pereira retaliated with an impressive power of his own. The round witnessed a fierce exchange of punches, during which Blachowicz managed to secure another takedown. Despite spending time on the ground, Pereira quickly rebounded and resumed control of the striking exchanges while steadily applying pressure to keep Blachowicz against the cage.
Alex Pereira’s Dominant Third Round Secures Victory
Also Read: UFC 291: Preview, Prediction, Fight Card, Where to Watch, Venue, and Tickets
With the match evenly balanced, the third and final round became crucial for both fighters. Pereira maintained control during striking exchanges while Blachowicz countered with a charging combination. However, Pereira’s higher volume of strikes gave him an advantage halfway through the round. He shrugged off Blachowicz’s attempt at a takedown and continued pressing forward, landing precise left-hand shots. As the final seconds ticked away, Blachowicz made one last effort to take down Pereira, but Pereira defended successfully and secured the victory.
The judges’ decision was divided. Derek Cleary and Ron McCarthy scored the fight in favor of Pereira, while Junichiro Kamijo favored Blachowicz. In the end, it was Pereira who emerged victorious due to a decisive third round, solidifying his position as the winner.
This remarkable win signifies a successful transition for Pereira. He has moved from middleweight to light heavyweight after his rematch loss to Israel Adesanya at UFC 287. With this victory, Pereira finds himself in a promising position to compete for the vacant light heavyweight title in the near future.
For more UFC news and updates
Read: UFC Fight Night 224 results: Tom Aspinall’s stunning TKO victory
Read: UFC Fight Night 224: Preview, Prediction, Where to Watch, Venue, and Tickets
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