Returning Middleweight Dishes Out Pain on Shanghai Prelims Saturday

Once the calendar flipped over to 2023, reports indicated that Kyle Daukaus’ UFC contract had been completed and that he wasn’t signed to a new one. After his contract reached its expiry in January of 2023, Daukaus took his talents to UFC Fight Pass mainstay Cage Fury Fighting Championships.

Kyle Daukaus Receives Call to Return to UFC on Three Weeks’ Notice

While in CFFC, he secured the promotion’s middleweight championship on Labor Day weekend in 2023, scoring a unanimous decision win over Gregg Ellis in the main event of the evening. From there, Daukaus would successfully defend the strap twice over.

Late this spring, he was to have fought Chris Brown in New Town, ND to defend his title for a third time, but the fight was scrubbed ahead of CFFC 143. After, an Aug. 30 main event against Guram Gochasvili was planned.

This fight, too was postponed before next weekend’s CFFC 145. Life gave Daukaus a second chance at the UFC. On Aug. 5, with the withdrawal of Marco Tulio from this weekend’s UFC Shanghai, it was revealed that Kyle Daukaus would be stepping into replace him against Michel Pereira (31-14, 2 NC MMA, 9-5 UFC) during the prelims.

Kyle Daukaus Quickly Finishes Michel Pereira Saturday in Shanghai

While most of America was still fast asleep early Saturday morning, Daukaus was hard at work proving that he belongs in the promotion to stay. Not long after the command to fight was issued, Kyle Daukaus absorbed a kick to the leg from Pereira and stalked his opponent.

Upon eating another kick, Daukaus landed a massive right hand to sit Pereira down. A vicious burst of ground and pound shots, including some elbows, wrote a finish to the contest. For the first time since February of 2022, he’d gotten his hand raised in victory under the UFC banner. Time of the stoppage: 43 seconds into the first round.

“What a return to the UFC for Philly’s Kyle Daukaus!,” exclaimed Brendan Fitzgerald, who was working Saturday’s UFC Shanghai telecast as the blow-by-blow commentator for ESPN+. “I guess he was working on his striking since we last saw him.”

Kyle Daukaus with Well-Earned Trip to Victory Lane

After the win, Daukaus was interviewed on the broadcast by Michael Bisping, using his airtime to give credit where it’s due.

“First and foremost, I want to thank God,” he said. “Want to thank my cornermen, my brother. I want to thank China so much. You guys have been so supportive. I love it, thank you so much! I think that deserves [$50,000!] I don’t know, this guy hasn’t been finished in a long time with a knockout like that.”

Kyle Daukaus was hopeful to receive a $50,000 (USD) cash advance with the victory. At night’s end, it was announced that he’d be taking home the Performance of the Night Bonus for his efforts.

Daukaus is Back in the UFC to Stay After Saturday Night

Prior to UFC Shanghai early Saturday, Daukaus hadn’t been seen in MMA’s No. 1 promotion for close to three years’ time. He had to earn his way back to the organization, defending the CFFC Middleweight Championship along the way.

With the performance that Kyle Daukaus turned in during Saturday’s card, he’s in the UFC for the long haul. In his ongoing five-fight winning streak, the judges’ scorecards have not been needed at any point.

If he keeps finishing fights the way he did against Pereira on Saturday, he’ll find himself on the shortlist for the UFC Middleweight Championship in a hurry.