Michel Pereira is known by many as a fun fighter. He uses his athleticism and bouncy personality to entertain the masses. That includes backflips, cartwheels, and flying knees to opponents.
It would take nothing less than an iconic moment for a fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship to reserve an immutable berth in the roundup of standout moments in the organization’s rich history.
This past Saturday night in the main event of UFC 301, the flyweight title was on the line. Alexandre Pantoja (28-5) was defending his title in his home country against a very game challenger in Australia’s Steve Erceg (12-2).
The UFC is returning to Abu Dhabi in August for a Fight Night and this morning, the promotion announced it’s main event. Top bantamweights will go head-to-head as former interim title challenger Cory Sandhagen (17-4) will take on Umar Nurmagomedov (17-0).
There have been rumors swirling that Jon Jones could be involved in a mammoth fight with Alex Pereira. It would fulfill the prophecy Pereira laid out, with the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion hinting at a move to heavyweight.
Steve Erceg will have the rest of his life to live with the result of his performance at UFC 301. In a title that some observers some people believed may have been rushed, the Australian flyweight proved he belonged.
Surging bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili confirmed he’ll finally challenge Sean O’Malley for the divisional gold. The spot – Madison Square Garden Arena “Sphere,” LV.
The UFC flyweight title gold stayed on home turf this Saturday, in Rio de Janeiro. But it did not come without pushback for the champ, Alexandre Pantoja.
Jon Jones‘ return is near after the UFC Heavyweight Champion revealed he has a verbal agreement over his next fight. Bones has not been in the Octagon since his victory over Ciryl Gane to win the vacant heavyweight title at UFC 285.
Steve Erceg was perhaps one round away from pulling off the upset at UFC 301. However, the opportunity slipped away from the game Australian in the fifth round against Alexandre Pantoja, when the reigning champion countered a takedown and assumed top position, ultimately bleeding out the clock to clinch his victory from there.
Alexandre Pantoja was still bleeding when he arrived at the UFC 301 post-fight press conference on Saturday night. That wound was well-earned, the product of a well-timed elbow landed by opponent Steve Erceg over the course of a grueling, five-round fight.
(Image credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports) Merab Dvalishvili has unveiled plans for his next fight, and it's a big one. Speaking on the UFC 301 post-fight show via UFC India, Dvalishvili, a winner of 10 of his 12 Octagon appearances and three of his last four overall, said he plans to fight as part of UFC 306 at the Sphere on Sept.
Mauricio Ruffy put lightweight champ Islam Makhachev on notice after a flawless debut at UFC 301. Ruffy picked apart Australian veteran Jamie Mullarkey on the feet to score a first-round TKO win in front of his home fans at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday night.
Ian Garry is losing hope of a future matchup against Colby Covington. Garry has been rallying for a clash against Covington for a while now, which has invited signature trash talk from the former welterweight title challenger.
Drakkar Klose jovially accused Daniel Cormier of dissing him following his UFC 301 win over Joaquim Silva. Klose earned a hard-fought unanimous decision win over Silva in front of the Brazilian’s home crowd in Rio de Janeiro.
A dream match is still on the table for the former UFC featherweight king
While Alexandre Pantoja retaining his flyweight belt took center stage, the subplot to UFC 301 honored legends in alternative ways. As the promo video started running, it was clear that Mauricio “Shogun” Rua was the next inductee into the UFC Hall of Fame.
For Jose Aldo, UFC 301 showed that he could still go inside the Octagon. The former champion scored a decision victory over Jonathan Martinez in the co-main event from Rio de Janerio, Brazil.
Michel Pereira nailed one of the most ridiculous moves in the Octagon that you will ever see. Pereira beat Ihor Potieria in their fight at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as part of the UFC 301 card on Saturday night.
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua will join the ranks of the hall of fame later this year. Rua was tabbed for the UFC Hall of Fame during the UFC 301 broadcast from Brazil.
Anthony Smith has defied the oddsmakers yet again by submitting Vitor Petrino at UFC 301. The undefeated Petrino started aggressive, prodding at Smith's high guard with a heavy jab, and clubbing over the sides with his winging overhand right and left hook.
“The Immortal” made his MMA career last. After 15 years of fighting in the UFC Welterweight division, Matt Brown has decided the time has finally come to step away from it all.
William Gomis was pulled from his scheduled fight against Jean Silva at UFC 301 after being helped out of the weigh-ins by security. Gomis weighed in at 143 pounds Friday and appeared dizzy after stepping off the scale.
Conor McGregor had some very choice words to say about Ryan Garcia and his failed drug test from his majority decision win against Devin Haney. McGregor made a statement on X.
David Feldman fully intends to take advantage of having one of the UFC’s biggest stars as a new minority owner of his rival Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.
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