UFC 291: Jiri Prochazka, Twitter react to Alex Pereira winning light heavyweight debut against Jan Blachowicz

Alex Pereira is on a mission to conquer a second weight class in the UFC. And it's off to a good start following his win over former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291.

Blachowicz appeared to trouble Pereira early on in the bout, grappling up with him right away to pin him against the cage wall and eventually score a takedown. Blachowicz effectively shut down Pereira's striking and made Pereira survive through a couple of submission attempts.

Blachowicz appeared tired by the round's end, however. Though Blachowicz was able to use his grappling again in the second, Pereira was able to get out of his grasp late in the round and walloped on him, even causing a welt on Blachowicz's leg through leg kicks.

Both men had their moments in the third round, but Pereira's striking helped him through once again, and it was enough to earn him the decision.

Jiri Prochazka, the former light heavyweight champion who is owed a title shot, sent a message after the fight via social media.

UFC 291: Twitter reacts to Jan Blachowicz vs. Alex Pereira

This fight marked Pereira's UFC light heavyweight debut. In just his fourth UFC bout (and eight overall in MMA), Pereira became UFC middleweight champion with a comeback knockout of Israel Adesanya at UFC 281. Pereira, however, lost the UFC middleweight title back to Adesanya at UFC 287.

Blachowicz entered tonight off a controversial split draw against Magomed Ankalaev in their light heavyweight title fight at UFC 282. Blachowicz previously held the title from his victory over Dominick Reyes at UFC 253 until his loss to Glover Teixeira at UFC 267.