UFC’s next big pay-per-view is just around the corner, with a flyweight bout highlighting the card. But fans won’t just be tuning in for the main event between Alexandre Pantoja and Steve Erceg. No, they should also be watching Michel Pereira (30-11) and Ihor Potieria (20-5).
It will be a middleweight bout between the two fighters. Both fighters are unranked, but have something to prove. Potieria wants to show he’s more than just a good southpaw fighter, while Pereira intends to build off the Brazilian theme and win in front of his home crowd.
With that, let’s break down the tape between the two contestants. What does each fighter bring to the table? Who has the upper hand in this underrated bout?
The Tape On Michel Pereira
Michel Pereira has been around the MMA block, taking on numerous foes. He’s defeated opponents like Andre Petroski (first-round KO) and Michal Oleksiejczuk (first-round rear-naked choke). The orthodox fighter has many ways of beating you.
One thing that stands out about Pereira is his acrobatic style. When “acrobatic” is said, I mean acrobatic, as in he’s doing somersaults in the octagon. He’s not afraid to surprise his opponents, throwing them off-guard. After his surprising maneuvers, he’ll go into offensive mode, where he seeks out any openings he’ll find.
That strategy might come in handy against Ihor Potieria, who’s a serious fighter. If Pereira can catch Potieria off-balance with a surprise move, he can open up the offense. With that, he can come out on top rather quickly. Or, he can land hard strikes and pummel him that way. In any case, Pereira is extremely fun to watch.
The Tape On Ihor Potieria
On the other hand, there’s the nimble Ihor Potieria. The Ukrainian fighter balances offense and defense well, using quick dodges with his fast strikes. He has good technique and can find his opponent’s weak spots quickly.
If Potieria wants to beat Pereira on Saturday, he must be careful of being stagnant. That means keeping Pereira away from the middle, cornering him whenever he can. Feeling out your opponent is fine, as long as it’s done in moderation. That’s what the Ukrainian middleweight must do: Watch out for overdoing things in the fight.
The Verdict
There’s plenty of reason to like Michel Pereira. He’s fun, he’s athletic, and he can put on a show. Such admirable traits make him a fan favorite among fighters and fans in the UFC.
However, Ihor Potieria should walk away with a victory on Saturday. As long as he doesn’t get stuck in neutral during the fight and avoids a repetitive strategy, the middleweight should defeat Pereira. Plus, there has to be one Brazilian losing a fight.
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