Former UFC Light-Heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz went off at the UFC following the announcement of the UFC 307 main event
Despite claiming to be taking some time away from competition, Light-Heavyweight champion Alex “Poatan” Pereira is back again later this year. He stepped in on short notice to save the UFC 303 main event when he knocked out Jiri Prochazka in the second round.
Now less than two months later came yet another Alex Pereira fight announcement. Pereira is booked to face Khalil Rountree Jr on October 5th at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Whilst this fight is a striker’s delight due to both parties’ style, the announcement shocked fans and fellow fighters. The shock was due to #8 ranked Rountree jumping multiple contenders ranked above him for the title shot.
Khalil too was supposed to fight on UFC 303 against Jamahall Hill, a fight which ultimately got cancelled. The cancellation came after Rountree self-reported to the UFC that he had taken a tainted supplement.
A supplement containing DHEA, a substance prohibited by the UFC and USADA. By October his suspension will be up and he will be clear to fight.
The UFC always strives to put on the most exciting fights. But given the number of challengers overlooked as a result of this booking, it understandably caused a stir with many.
Namely the former Light-Heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz.
Jan Blachowicz Rips the UFC for “Protecting” Alex Pereira
Jan Blachowicz has shown his distaste at the promotion choice of challenger this week. In an interview with Middle Easy the Polish veteran went off at the UFC.
Stating:
“No f****** idea (why they went with this fight), you tell me because I am confused, what the f***, you know. Why did they book Magomed Ankalaev with (Aleksandar) Rakic, why? Why don’t they ask me about (fighting Pereira), maybe I’d be ready a little bit earlier, nobody asked me. I feel like it’s special protection for Pereira.”
Blachowicz welcomed Pereira to the Light-Heavyweight division back at UFC 291 in July last year. Alex would win this fight by decision, but it was no clear-cut victory and some even thought Blachowicz did enough to win.
Their razor-close competition last summer explains why Jan is so dissatisfied with the UFC 307 main event announcement. Believing he is worthy enough for a rematch and that the UFC is picking favourable opponents to face “Poatan”.
Fair or not, Pereira v Rountree takes place in October and it is undeniably an unmissable fight.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
