UFC Fight Night: Shanghai – Michel Pereira vs. Kyle Daukaus – Preview & Betting Tips

The UFC returns to Shanghai with an intriguing undercard matchup between the flashy Michel Pereira and the returning Kyle Daukaus.

Pereira (31-13, 2 NC) is one of the most unpredictable fighters in the UFC. He is capable of brilliance one night and then produces a baffling tentative performance the next. The Brazilian is his biggest enemy. He looked flat in his most recent couple of outings, raising questions about his motivation and ability to consistently execute his athletic gifts.

Daukaus (15-4, 1 NC) is making his first UFC appearance since 2022. After suffering multiple defeats in the promotion, he rebuilt his career on the regional scene, picking up four straight wins, all in Cage Fury FC. While his form is much better, there is the question regarding the level of recent opponents. Of course, they are not on the level of UFC fighters, but perhaps the confidence could translate well in the Octagon.

Tale of the Tape

Michel Pereira – Odds 1.36 (Sky Bet)

Record: 31-13, 2 NC

Age: 31

Height: 6ft1

Reach: 73” 

Weight: Middleweight 

Stance: Orthodox

Kyle Da ukaus – Odds 3.00

Record: 15-4, 1 NC

Age: 32

Height: 6ft3

Reach: 76”

Weight: Middleweight

Stance: Southpaw

Michel Pereira vs Kyle Daukaus: Analysis

At his best, Pereira is explosive, powerful, and aggressive, and a fighter who overwhelms opponents with ridiculous pressure and plenty of variety with his striking. At his worst though, he stalls out and lets winnable fights slip away just through lack of volume and potentially a lack of desire to win.

Daukaus meanwhile has always been a threat on the mat, with a slick submission arsenal and the kind of persistence that keeps him dangerous even when he’s hurt. The question is whether his improvements outside the UFC are enough to carry him against higher-tier competition, especially stepping up on short notice.

An interesting aspect to this fight is Daukaus’ physical advantages. Quite often, Pereira is usually the bigger guy in there as well as having the clear edge in athleticism. But in this fight, Daukaus has two-inches of height and three-inches of reach over him. 

Daukaus would be smart to use the reach advantage by working his jab and trying to time Pereira with his southpaw left hand during moments where the Brazilian attempts his signature flashy strikes.

Pereira vs Daukaus: Prediction & Betting Tips 

The Brazilian’s inconsistency makes him hard to trust in terms of betting. If he’s passive, Daukaus has a clear path to grind him down with pot shots from the outside, and then going to clinches and grappling. If Pereira actually pulls the tri gger early, Daukaus may not be able to handle the power and pace.

One thing to note is, the last time he faced elite competition in the UFC, he was finished twice in a row. Pereira has consistently fought higher-level opposition, but is on a two-fight losing streak.

Due to Daukaus’ history in the UFC, anything other than a dominant Pereira victory would be extremely underwhelming here – and would possibly force people to start questioning the Brazilian’s future in the UFC.

I do think he is a level above Daukaus, so for that reason I’m taking Michel Pereira to win inside the distance at odds of 2.10.