Pereira edges Blachowicz by split decision in UFC light heavyweight debut

After just his first bout at 205 pounds, Alex Pereira is now one of the best light heavyweight fighters.

Pereira, a former UFC middleweight champion, defeated Jan Blachowicz via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) in the UFC 291 co-main event Saturday night in Salt Lake City.

It was a competitive fight from start to finish. Ex-light heavyweight champ Blachowicz got off to a good start, dragging Pereira to the ground two minutes in, securing a body triangle, and attempting rear-naked chokes. While Pereira struggled to get Blachowicz off him, his submission defense held up until the end of the round.

Pereira fired back in the second, landing leg kicks and punches. Blachowicz was visibly tired toward the end of the frame, and Pereira began to tee off on him against the fence.

The third stanza was arguably the most competitive, with both fighters connecting on the feet. Neither had much volume, but Pereira appeared to do a bit more down the stretch.

With the victory, Pereira could be in line to fight for the vacant light heavyweight belt, likely against Jiri Prochazka. Former champ Jamahal Hill relinquished the title earlier in July due to an injury.

Pereira bounced back from an April knockout defeat to Israel Adesanya in which the Brazilian lost the UFC middleweight title. After that fight, Pereira announced he'd move up to light heavyweight. He won the middleweight title by finishing Adesanya last November. Pereira is now 5-1 in the promotion.

Blachowicz, who entered as the No. 3-ranked contender, was coming off a split draw against Magomed Ankalaev last December in a fight that was for the vacant 205-pound title.