Story perspectives

UFC Cuts Michel Pereira After Controversial Loss and Fouls

7/16/2026

Summary

Michel Pereira Cut

U.S. UFC cut Michel Pereira on Tuesday after his June 27 loss to Shara Magomedov, ending a 10-6 UFC tenure.
Referee Herb Dean warned Shara Magomedov of hair-pulling and an eye poke but kept the score unchanged.
Alex Pereira called Dean a “coward” on Instagram, saying the error cost Pereira his job.
Michel Pereira said unpunished fouls compromised the result and noted his seven bonuses could attract interest elsewhere.

Summary

Pereira Bonus Streak

Pereira earned UFC bonuses, four consecutive Performance of the Night awards after moving to middleweight.
He missed weight at UFC 291 against Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, prompting a middleweight shift.
From September 2020 to May 2024 he posted an eight-fight win streak, ending with a third-round submission of Zelim Imadaev that earned a bonus.
In 2024 he lost to Anthony Hernandez, began a skid; a February 2025 win over Zach Reese left him 1-4 in his five bouts.

Summary

UFC Enters Caucasus

UFC held its inaugural event in Baku, Azerbaijan on June 27, 2026, entering the Caucasus market.
The main card featured a middleweight bout between Michel Pereira and Shara Magomedov, refereed by Herb Dean.
All three judges scored the fight 29-28 unanimously for Magomedov.
Pereira fought on a one-fight contract, illustrating UFC’s use of short-term deals for fringe fighters and signaling a broader push into Eastern Europe.

History

Historical Context

UFC entered the former Soviet market with a Moscow Fight Night in 2020, featuring Paul Kattar against Zabit Magomedsharipov. Earlier, Kattar finished a four-fight contract in October 2018 and promptly signed a six-fight deal, reflecting the promotion’s habit of using brief contracts when expanding into new regions and building local fan bases.

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Michel Pereira Cut

U.S. UFC cut Michel Pereira on Tuesday after his June 27 loss to Shara Magomedov, ending a 10-6 UFC tenure.
Referee Herb Dean warned Shara Magomedov of hair-pulling and an eye poke but kept the score unchanged.
Alex Pereira called Dean a “coward” on Instagram, saying the error cost Pereira his job.
Michel Pereira said unpunished fouls compromised the result and noted his seven bonuses could attract interest elsewhere.

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