In depth ufc play by play9/12/2023 Thompson (17-6-1) is so disciplined in the cage, and his speed and power have yet to slow down. It is especially frustrating because this was a great chance for Pereira to finally prove he belonged in the top 10, and it was also another opportunity for the 40-year-old Thompson to showcase that he is still elite. Unfortunately, Pereira weighed in Friday morning at 174 pounds, three pounds over the non-title bout maximum.Īs of Friday afternoon, there has yet to be an announcement as to whether the fight will still take place. Michel PereiraĪ real test for Stephen Thompson is Michael Pereira, who enters the fight 11 years younger and on an impressive five-fight win streak. Welterweight bout: Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson vs. This is one that feels over before it even starts. The change to light heavyweight at 205 pounds opens a world of new possibilities, where he will begin by testing his power against Błachowicz’s chin. A massive individual, Pereira was cutting too much weight to make middleweight. He tormented Israel Adesanya, winning the belt before losing it last April. Now 40, Błachowicz is showing his age and slowed reflexes, which makes him prone to a knockout blow.Īfter a decorated kickboxing career, Pereira (7–2) quickly dominated the middleweight division. He returned in May of last year to beat Aleksandar Rakić, but only after Rakić tore his ACL, then put forth an uninspired performance in December in a bout for the vacant title against Magomed Ankalaev that somehow fittingly ended in a draw. But I feel extremely confident that Alex Pereira is going to knock out Jan Błachowicz.īłachowicz (29-9-1) looked washed-up when he dropped the light heavyweight title to Glover Teixeira, and that was in October 2021. Alex Pereiraįull disclosure: I have been wrong before. Light heavyweight bout: Jan B ł achowicz vs. While it is odd to think a Gaethje win would be an upset, that is going to be Gaethje’s moment. This bout is destined to be violent for as long as it lasts. His striking is even more precise than Poirier’s, and a win here is among the most significant of his career. Gaethje (24–4), who is coming off a victory last March against Rafael Fiziev, is getting this opportunity at the perfect moment. Poirier also hasn’t competed in the Octagon since his win against Chandler in November 2021. His victories came at the expense of Conor McGregor (twice), Michael Chandler and Dan Hooker, with the lone defeat suffered against Charles Oliveira. But perhaps those wins are slightly overvalued. Poirier (29-7-1) has looked outstanding in four of his past five fights. Undefeated in all three of his rematches, Poirier looks to add to that record with another victory against Gaethje. Justin Gaethjeĭustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje meet in a rematch from 2018, a bout that Poirier won by TKO. My picks from last weekend weren’t pretty, but I’m entering this fight card with renewed optimism. Overall, it is a spectacular card, offering even more depth than UFC 290 did earlier this month. The prelims even include Derrick Lewis, who has a tough fight in front of him against Marcos Rogério de Lima. The card also features the light heavyweight debut of Alex Pereira, who meets former champion Jan Błachowicz, as well as Stephen Thompson–Michel Pereira, Tony Ferguson–Bobby Green, and Kevin Holland–Michael Chiesa. The ceremonial BMF title is at stake for the Poirier-Gaethje bout, as well as the next shot at the lightweight belt. UFC 291 is an incredibly deep, star-studded card, and it has the potential for the most exciting main event of the year in Dustin Poirier–Justin Gaethje.
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