UFC Denies Rumors Surrounding Pereira vs. Blachowicz

Light Heavyweight Title Vacated Once Again

Last week, Jamahal Hill announced that he had ruptured his Achilles tendon and would require surgery so he would vacate his Light Heavyweight strap, similar to what Jiri Prochazka did a last year after winning the title. Hill had defeated Glover Teixeira in January at UFC 283 via. Unanimous Decision for the vacant title. Now, that the title is vacant again, fans and the media have tried to predict the UFC’s next move with the vacant championship.

All signs seem to point at the UFC 291 Co-Main event; Alex Pereira (7-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) vs. Jan Blachowicz (29-9-1 MMA, 12-6-1 UFC) as being the next best contest to compete for the vacant title. The number two-ranked- Magomed Ankalaev hasn’t competed since fighting to a draw with Blachowicz at UFC 282 in December of last year for Prochazka’s vacant title, number four-ranked- Aleksandar Rakic hasn’t competed since losing to Blachowicz in May of last year when he injured his ACL, and the number one-ranked- Prochazka is still currently nursing his shoulder injury from last year. That leaves number three ranked- Blachowicz as the highest-ranked Light Heavyweight welcoming former Middleweight champ- Pereira to 205 as the highest-ranking current matchup in the Light Heavyweight division.

Jorge Masvidal asked @MikeBohn to make the pitch, and Dana White accepted.

Masvidal will wrap the "BMF" belt around the Poirier vs. Gaethje winner at #UFC291. pic.twitter.com/17UY5gYfHu

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 9, 2023

A sponsored UFC social media post seemed to indicate that Pereira vs. Blachowicz may be changed to a UFC title fight. The post stated, "Bar Owners/Managers: fans are looking for where to watch #UFC291 on July 29th. Boost business and expand your customer base! Host the event at your bar and attract fans who are more likely to order drinks, food, and visit during non-event nights. With two title fights, the fan demand is ramping up! Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje [BMF Title Fight] Jan Blachowicz vs. Alex Pereira."

UFC official tells me this is a typo and Blachowicz vs. Pereira currently remains a three-round, non-title fight. #UFC291 https://t.co/rZEMbwUYre

— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) July 16, 2023

The UFC denied the rumor and says it was simply a ‘typo’. First reported by MMA Junkie’s- Mike Bohn. Bohn tweeted, "UFC official tells me this is a typo and Blachowicz vs. Pereira currently remains a three-round, non-title fight." We shall see, UFC 291 is scheduled for July 29th at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.