Former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz thinks that the UFC is being biased towards its champion. He has recently questioned the promotion’s decision-making, particularly on the matchup between current Light Heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree Jr. He openly asked, “Why Rountree? Why not me or Ankalaev?
Blachowicz believes that Pereira is being protected by the promotion. His bold claim has generated a lot of buzz in the MMA community, with now many people assuming that Pereira’s opponents are picked to protect him.
Blachowicz is disappointed with the promotion and Dana White
The Polish fighter was unabashed while discussing the UFC’s recent matchmaking decisions. The former champion is particularly disappointed about Alex Pereira’s upcoming title defense matchup against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City. Blachowicz claimed that this isn’t just a random pairing and called it a strategic move by the UFC to protect “Poatan.”
In a recent interview, Jan Blachowicz questioned why they picked Rountree. He feels that Pereira is being protected from tough competition that could threaten his reign as champion. “Pereira is being protected, he is getting special treatment. Maybe the UFC doesn’t want to see our rematch with Pereira because they realize that he will lose,” said Blachowicz.
The former champion took social media to criticize the matchup
Blachowicz is particularly surprised by the UFC’s decision to pair Magomed Ankalaev with Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308 instead of giving a title opportunity to him. He believes Ankalaev, who ranks 2 in the light heavyweight division, should be facing the Brazilian instead of Rountree. “Why did they book Ankalaev with Rakic? Why didn’t they ask me anything? Blachowicz said while looking frustrated. He also took to social media to express his concerns and stated that, with all due respect to Khalil, there are at least two highly ranked contenders ready to fight Pereira. He doesn’t need special protection,” wrote Blachowicz.
Magomed Ankalaev also didn’t back away from calling out Alex Pereira. He recently took to social media and accused “Poatan” of accusing him and picking on smaller fighters. “Alex Pereira is the biggest chicken in the UFC,” Ankalaev wrote on X.
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