Jan Blachowicz insists on a rematch with Alex Pereira upon his return.
Pereira (10-2) defeated Blachowicz (29-10) by a close split decision to make his light heavyweight debut at UFC 291 in July 2023. Blachović was scheduled to face Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 297 in January of this year. , the former champion was forced to withdraw due to a shoulder injury that required surgery.
Meanwhile, Pereira won the 205-pound title against Jiri Prochaska and defended his UFC title for the second time with a brutal knockout of Jamahal Hill in the main event of UFC 300 last month. Blachowicz thinks “Poitan” is a better fighter than Hill, but he doesn’t think the Brazilian is better than him.
Blachowicz, who claims a rematch with the reigning 205-pound champion, remains steadfast in his belief that he won the first fight. The Polish standout also pointed out that while Pereira has defeated most of his recent opponents, the Brazilian had to go all the way with him. The 41-year-old, who is expected to return at the end of this year, is eyeing a rematch.
“[Pereira] He’s a better fighter than Jamahal, but he’s not a better fighter than me. And I believe I deserve a rematch,” Blachowicz said in an interview with Fanatics View. “He is [fought] Against me, I still believe I won the battle. [Judges] See different scores. But I believe I won this fight with him and I believe he deserves a rematch. I know he knocked everyone out, but [but] not me. So I believe that when I come back, I can fight again. So I think my next fight will be at the end of the year, not sooner.
The light heavyweight title picture remains complicated with Jiri Prochaska claiming the title after coming from behind with a technical knockout win over Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 300. Meanwhile, Magomed Ankalaev, who has a knockout victory, and Johnny Walker, who hasn’t lost since his UFC debut in 2018, are also trying to make his name. Meanwhile, Pereira has expressed interest in fighting Prochaska for his next title, but has also been called up for a fight against heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
