Have you ever watched a fight and thought, wait a second, was that the right call? Well, you’re not alone. Alex Pereira’s split-decision win at UFC 291 left plenty of fans scratching their heads and at least one former opponent fuming. But was it just a close fight, or was something else at play? Imagine pouring your heart, soul, and sweat into a fight, only to walk away feeling like the referee might have had a bigger hand in the outcome than your opponent. That’s exactly what one UFC veteran is claiming.

Speaking on MMAFightingonSBN, Jan Blachowicz didn’t hold back, “I want to remind people how tough I am because I think people forget. You know, I won against Alex Pereira. He just won (against) me (because) the referees helped him, in my opinion.” Yes, you read that right. The former 205lbs kingpin alleges that Pereira’s split-decision win wasn’t entirely earned, casting a shadow over one of the sport’s most discussed fights of the year.

Even UFC legend Michael Bisping weighed in with his take on the bout, and let’s just say he wasn’t exactly handing out compliments. “I don’t think it was the best performance from either man,” Bisping shared on his YouTube channel. “They were at elevation, they were tired, they were a little sluggish, they were a little sloppy. I say that with respect. Pereira didn’t look as fast, didn’t look as snappy. I wonder if that was the elevation or was it carrying all that extra weight?”

He’s got a point. Fighting at high altitude can take a toll on even the best athletes, and both Pereira and Blachowicz were clearly feeling it. But did the referee’s calls, or lack thereof, really tip the scales?

Is controversy Alex Pereira’s new cornerman?

Let’s face it, this isn’t the first time Alex Pereira has found himself at the center of a referee-related uproar. His nickname might be ‘Poatan’ but it seems ‘Controversy’ could work just as well, at least according to our long-absent 205fer Jan Blachowicz. Known for his almost superhuman power, the Brazilian champ has left opponents, and even referees, in awe of his striking. But does his reputation influence how fights are officiated?

We all know the Brazilian can hit like a freight train. Referee Marc Goddard, who officiated Pereira’s UFC 307 bout against Khalil Rountree Jr., had a front-row seat to the champ’s power. As Joe Rogan recalled during the pay-per-view broadcast, Goddard told him, “I’ve been doing this for 20 years. The way he hits people, the sound is like nothing I’ve ever heard before. It’s ungodly.”

That kind of power is terrifying, and awe-inspiring. But could it also be influencing how referees and judges handle Pereira’s fights? During the Rountree Jr. bout, Pereira delivered thunderous punches that left his opponent with a horrific cut above his eye and a bad split on his nose. While Pereira’s skill is undeniable, the chatter about referees potentially being swayed by his fearsome reputation has only grown louder.

For Jan Blachowicz, the frustration is real. Losing a fight is one thing, feeling like you lost to more than just your opponent is another. As he gears up for his next fight against Carlos Ulberg in March 2025, Blachowicz is determined to remind fans of his toughness and skill.

But the doubt here remains, is Poatan carving out a legacy built purely on his talent, or is the shadow of controversy starting to follow him? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!