The question on everyone’s mind is whether Alex Pereira can replicate his previous achievements once more. After losing the UFC middleweight championship to Israel Adesanya in April, “Poatan” intends to go after a second UFC title at 205 pounds. This pursuit commences on July 29th, when Pereira confronts former champion Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291.

Pereira already held two championship titles in separate weight divisions during his days at GLORY Kickboxing. Still, Anthony Smith, a long-time light heavyweight contender, is doubtful that he can attain the same success in his MMA career.

Smith remarked “I believe he can do well, for sure… But with his skill set, he’ll have a tough time with some of the top guys. I think Jan Blachowicz is a pretty tough matchup, if I’m being honest. Yeah, I do [think Pereira loses that].”

Pereira, aged 35, won simultaneous titles weighing 85 kilograms (187.4 pounds) and 95 kilograms (209.4 pounds) in GLORY before pursuing MMA as a full-time career in 2021. He quickly accomplished four straight wins under the UFC banner, including a remarkable fifth-round knockout of Adesanya in November 2022.

Pereira’s defeat by brutal knockout in the MMA rematch against Adesanya concluded his impressive run. Nevertheless, the striking powerhouse aims to claim the light heavyweight championship. Still, this is a massive task as the 20-pound difference between middleweight and light heavyweight is the most extensive gap among all of UFC’s weight categories.

No fighter in UFC history has ever captured belts in both of these divisions. Even Adesanya, in his attempt to do so, lost by a unanimous decision to then-champion Blachowicz at UFC 259 in March 2021.

Pereira would be gallivanting in the championship realm if he conquers Blachowicz. Smith believes that elite competition, such as current champion Jamahal Hill and former champion Jiri Prochazka, still poses many difficulties for the ex-middleweight champion.