Updated
Updated · BJPENN.COM · Jul 17
Blachowicz Backs Gane's Round 2 TKO Over Pereira as Legitimate Despite Illegal-Blow Claims
Updated
Updated · BJPENN.COM · Jul 17

Blachowicz Backs Gane's Round 2 TKO Over Pereira as Legitimate Despite Illegal-Blow Claims

1 articles · Updated · BJPENN.COM · Jul 17

Summary

  • Jan Blachowicz said Alex Pereira’s Round 2 TKO loss to Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250 was “completely legitimate,” rejecting Pereira’s attacks on referee Herb Dean.
  • Blachowicz argued Pereira looked “heavy” and “slow,” and said Gane was clearly better even without the disputed strikes in the finishing sequence.
  • Pereira has spent weeks alleging illegal blows, urging the UFC to drop Dean from major fights and threatening to leave MMA if Dean keeps officiating them.
  • The defeat ended Pereira’s bid to become UFC’s first three-division champion, while Gane secured an interim heavyweight title win and a rematch with Tom Aspinall.

Insights

With his three-division dream dashed, what is next for Alex Pereira after his public war with a top UFC official?
Will mounting fighter backlash finally force the UFC to sideline veteran referee Herb Dean?
How did the UFC pull off a $60 million fight on the White House lawn, and was the historic gamble worth the cost?