UFC 291: Jan Blachowicz vs Alex Pereira 07/29/2023 Fight Preview, Predictions and Picks

UFC 291: Blachowicz vs Pereira 07/29/2023 – Former UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira starts his campaign in the light heavyweight division as he faces former champion Jan Blachowicz in the co-main event of the UFC 291 on Saturday, July 29, at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City in Utah. Matches in the main card begins at 10:00 PM ET with ESPN+ covering the match live on television and UFC Fight Pass streaming the showdown for Internet subscribers. Pereira is coming off a two-round knockout loss to Israel Adesanya and surrendered the UFC middleweight championship.

On the other hand, Blachowicz is coming off a split draw to Magomed Ankalaev that cost him his bid to become a two-time UFC light heavyweight champion. Experts in sports betting see this as a close encounter as both fighters are skilled and experienced in their craft. They will try to use their strengths to their advantage and pounce on the opportunity to secure the win.

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Main Card

Jan Blachowicz

Blachowicz (29-9-1, 12-6-1 UFC) had a slow start in his UFC career, going 2-4 in his first six matches. He picked up steam in his next eight fights and went 7-1. That run gave Blachowicz an opportunity to fight for the vacant light heavyweight championship, which he won by beating Dominic Reyes two rounds. He defended the title against Israel Adesanya and won via unanimous decision. He lost the crown to Glover Teixeira via a two-round submission. The Polish fighter came back in May 2022 and won over Alexander Rakic. He was given another chance to fight for the vacant title seven months later against Magomed Ankalaev but it ended in a split draw.

Blachowicz has recorded 18 finishes (9 knockouts, 9 submissions) in his career. He has landed an average of 3.41 significant strikes per minute with an accuracy rate of 49%. He has defended 54% of the attempts against him and absorbed 2.81 strikes per minute. In terms of grappling, the Polish MMA fighter averaged 0.97 takedowns per 15 minutes. His takedown success rate is 53% and defended 68% of the takedowns launched against him. He rarely submits his opponents as his submission average is 0.24 per 15 minutes.

Alex Pereira

Pereira (7-2, 4-1 UFC) is returning to the UFC three months after losing the middleweight championship in the rematch with Israel Adesanya. He will make his first fight in the light heavyweight class since his Glory kickboxing days. The 36-year-old Brazilian will be up against a solid 205-pounder who once defeated Adesanya. The fighter known as “Poatan” will look to become a two-time champion and re-start his career in a new division. Pereira will bring his 6-foot-4 frame in one of the promotion’s premier weight classes in the hopes of getting another title shot. A win against Blachowicz will be a great step to his mission.

In terms of statistics, Pereira has six finishes, all by knockout, as he is an effective striker with a significant strike percentage of 59%. He has landed an average of 5.23 significant strikes per minute. His defense is solid with a 54% strike defense rate and has absorbed 3.76 strikes per minute. He rarely tries a takedown as evidenced with his 0.28 takedowns per 15 minute average. However, his takedown defense is awesome at 72%.