MMA
Prochazka knows his opponent! Europe’s biggest fight won’t take place, Polish fighter can’t beat Brazilian puncher
Jiří Procházka was supposed to fight Jamahal Hill on his comeback, but he got injured and surrendered the belt. The result of one of the most anticipated fights of the UFC 291 tournament, which featured Jan Blachowicz and Alex Pereira, was awaited.
Jiri Prochazka was supposed to fight Jamahal Hill on his comeback, but he got injured and gave up the belt. The result of one of the most anticipated fights of the UFC 291 tournament, which featured Jan Blachowicz and Alex Pereira, was awaited.
The cursed welterweight saw a spectacular duel early Sunday morning. Former champion Jan Blachowicz is looking to reclaim his title, while Alex Pereira, the former short-lived king of the middleweight division, made his first appearance in the 93-pound division.
The winner was expected to fight the Moravian samurai for the title. Jiri Prochazka was supposed to fight Jamahal Hill, but the latter got injured and vacated the title, which made the UFC’s plans rather complicated.
The slight favourite for the duel between Blachowicz and Pereira was the Polish chasnik , who took the fight personally. The Brazilian is the ward of the man who robbed him of his title, Glover Teixeira, who was subsequently stripped of his title by Prochazka.
The Polish fighter said that he will want to fight his rival in the stand-up as well. But as soon as the fight started, he immediately pushed the Brazilian to the canvas and tried for a takedown. He delivered and dominated the entire round. He got to Pereira’s back and attempted a choke in addition to punches.
Pereira defended everything. From the second round on, though, you could tell Blachowicz had exhausted himself a lot in the first five minutes, slowing down. The Brazilian looked fresher, more relaxed, yet the Pole was still dangerous. He threatened with hard shots. It was an even fight.
The judges saw it the same way when the fight ended in a split-decision. Two judges saw Pereira win by 29-28, one judge saw Blachowicz win by the same ratio.
He announced right in the cage that he wanted to fight for the title in his next fight and that he didn’t care who it was with. So he doesn’t care if it’s Prochazka or someone else. After all, the UFC hasn’t officially announced anything yet.
What is likely, however, is that Europe’s biggest fight on UFC soil will be postponed indefinitely, quite possibly for good. Prochazka’s coach reacted to the result by saying that he and Teixeira will probably meet again.
Source: UFC, Twiter
