According to Jan Blachowicz, a win over Alex Pereira would earn him another chance at the gold.
Blachowicz (29-9-1 MMA, 12-6 UFC) takes on Pereira (7-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) in the UFC 291 co-main event on July 29 at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City.
The former heavyweight champ wasn’t sure if this bout was part of the UFC’s plans anyway, but he says he asked to welcome Pereira down to 205 pounds — and he got his wish.
“When I heard he was coming to our division, I just want to fight against him,” said Balashović. MMA watch. “I talked to my manager and they made this fight. It was easy. I said, ‘Okay, give it to me.’ And why not?”
Blachowicz is no stranger to spoiling teams’ debuts. Blachowicz gave middleweight champ Israel Adesanya his first loss when he stopped trying to become a double champion at UFC 259. He also knocked Luke Rockhold out cold when he tried to find a new life at 205 pounds.
“I think that’s my job in the UFC sometimes,” Blachowicz said. “I need to do it in the best way – to get him back to (middleweight).”
Blachowicz expects former middleweight champion Pereira’s ability to translate into light heavyweight, but plans to shut him down.
“Sure, he’ll have the strength — but what I always say: If you change a weight class, you can compete in the gym with bigger guys. When you fight, it’s completely different,” Balashovic said. “Timing, speed — everything. Different. Three times, I have fought before with players from the lower division and won everything. This time it will be the same.”
Blachowicz is coming off a tie with Magomed Ankalaev for the vacant title at UFC 282 last December. If he overtakes Pereira, the Polish fighter says he was promised a shot.
“If I win the fight, my next fight will be for the title,” said Blachowicz. “It’s a bigger motivator for me, and thanks to Alex, he’s moved into our category: fresh blood.”
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie Event Center for UFC 291.