Jan Blachowicz says he’ll stand with Alex Pereira at UFC 291 – “I have to check my stand-up against someone like Pereira”

Jan Blachowicz intends to test his striking skills against Alex Pereira. The Polish fighter is set to welcome ‘Poatan’ to the light heavyweight division at UFC 291 on July 29. 

After losing the middleweight title to his longtime nemesis Israel Adesanya at UFC 287, Pereira decided to try his luck in the light heavyweight division. Given his success in the middleweight division, many believe a more natural weight class will only benefit the former Glory kickboxing champion’s fighting prowess.

In a recent interview with Michael Bisping, Jan Blachowicz opened up about his upcoming fight against Alex Pereira. The former light heavyweight champion claimed he knew about ‘Poatan’s dangerous striking pedigree but wanted to test himself against him. He said:

“I am a stand-up fighter. I like fighting stand-up. So, I have to check my stand-up against someone like Pereira. But if I don’t feel good, if I take some punches, for sure I’m gonna use wrestling and take him down. Also, I’m not stupid. I know what I have to do to win this fight. I use all my tools to do it.”

With Jamahal Hill recently vacating the light heavyweight title, there was speculation about this explosive matchup becoming a title fight. However, there is no indication that Alex Pereira vs. Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291 will be a championship fight.  

Anthony Smith on Alex Pereira vs. Jan Blachowicz 

UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith recently weighed in on the upcoming Alex Pereira vs. Jan Blachowicz light heavyweight fight. While Smith predicts Pereira to flourish as a light heavyweight, he doesn’t see the Brazilian doing well against the top-ranked fighters.  

Pereira’s incredible power and striking skills make him a terrifying opponent for anyone in the middleweight division. However, ’Lionheart’ believes that the former Glory kickboxing champion will struggle to impose himself in a heavier weight class. 

In an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Anthony Smith weighed in on Alex Pereira vs. Jan Blachowicz fight and stated: 

“I think he can do well, for sure. He’s going to have a tough time with some of the top guys, just with his skill set… I think Jan Blachowicz is a pretty tough matchup if I’m being honest… Yeah, I do [think Pereira loses that].” 

Watch the full interview below: