Career Averages - Zachary Reese
Career Averages - Michel Pereira
Zachary Reese - Fight History
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gandra (-130), Reese (+110)
Round 1
Fists are sure to fly in this middleweight smash-em-up derby between two men who tend not to waste much time in the cage with dueling finish rates right around 80% a pop. Gandra (9-1, 1-0 UFC) has earned most of his wins via strikes, while half of the victories for Reese (10-3, 1 NC; 4-3, 1 NC UFC) occurred in this similar fashion. Referee Mike Beltran takes charge of the cage, stepping back as the 185ers touch ‘em up.
Reese meanders directly to the center of the cage, dancing away the moment Gandra swats at him with range-finders. Reese catches Gandra coming in with a left hand and a body kick, and he slips a punch to the body. Reese slips and counters again, remaining elusive but not moving too far away so that he is out of range with responses. This allows him to catch Gandra a few times, but Gandra has also landed on both sides of his temple to redden him up. The Terminator that is Gandra winds up a massive left hand, leaping into it with everything he has. Boop. Taking it flush on the jaw, Reese goes flying, hitting his back and shelling up in a hurry. Gandra rains down some punches, and it does not take long for Beltran to step in. The stoppage may have been a little premature given that Reese stood back up and immediately started jawing at Beltran, but he might have also been flashed knocked out and trying to still fight. No matter how one feels about the intervention, to quote the inimitable Mike Goldberg, it is all over. Mulleted athletes no longer remain undefeated tonight, as the blonde-locked Brazilian wipes out the man with business in the front and a party in the back.
The Official Result
Ryan Gandra def. Zachary Reese R1 1:15 via TKO (Punches)
AJ picks Gandra, stating he thinks Gondrez (likely Gandra) will knock Reese out flat. He mentions money line odds at minus 190.
AJ sees this as a close-range boxing mismatch where Gandra will blitz Reese. He thinks Gandra has sensational knockout power and will start fast, likely winning by KO. He notes that Gandra KO is at +100 and under 1.5 rounds at +135. He also mentions Gandra by decision at +1000 as a long shot.
AJ picks Gandra to win by knockout, emphasizing his power, forward pressure, and physicality. He believes Reese's striking defense is suspect and that Gandra's aggressive style will overwhelm him. AJ notes that Gandra's power is a major factor and that Reese's recent loss to Pereira shows vulnerability.
AJ picks Ryan Gandra by first-round knockout, highlighting Gandra's power and pressure boxing. He believes Gandra's close-range boxing and overhand shots will overwhelm Zachary Reese, who is a kicker but susceptible to being walked down. He notes Gandra's quick UFC debut knockout and expects a violent finish.
Angelo picks Ryan Gandra, believing he will land whatever he wants and keep coming forward. He respects Zachary Reese's toughness but thinks he won't have an answer, especially on the ground where Gandra can control and strike. He notes the fight is low stakes but fun.
Angelo picks Ryan Gandra because he is a busy forward pressure striker who lets his hands go and is tough. He notes that Zack Reese is inconsistent and has a special place in his heart for the wrong reasons, having cost him a parlay. He believes Gandra is too tough and will move forward, making him the pick, but sees live bet opportunity if Reese survives early.
Big Brady picks Lone'er Kavanagh, citing Brandon Royval's age (33), accumulated damage, poor striking defense, and questionable chin. He believes Kavanagh is on the rise, with sharp, accurate, and powerful striking, and will clip Royval. He expects a knockout or a damage-based decision, and is surprised the KO prop is plus money.
Big Brady is confident Gandra wins by first-round KO, but only at the right price. He laughs at the +190 opener, saying Gandra should be -250 or -300. He thinks Gandra will knock out Reese early, but if it goes past round one, it gets gross due to Gandra's poor cardio. He might bet under 1.5 rounds or KO1, but won't lay -200 on the moneyline.
Big Brady picks Ryan Gandra to win by first-round knockout. He praises Gandra's power and takedown defense, expecting him to walk down Reese and land big shots. He criticizes Reese's poor striking defense and suspect chin, noting he has been hurt and knocked out before. He believes Gandra will stuff takedowns and finish early.
Big Brady picks Ryan Gandra to win in round one at +215 for 1 unit. He believes Gandra has a couple minutes of explosive offense to finish the chinny Zach Reese, who has poor striking defense and gets hurt often. If the fight extends past round one, he favors Reese's experience and cardio. He also suggests a live bet on Reese if he survives the first round.
Cody picks Ryan Gandra, citing his power and Reese's durability issues. He notes Reese's poor cardio and defensive liabilities. He expects a finish, likely by Gandra, and recommends under 2.5 rounds.
Daniel Levi leans toward Zachary Reese, citing his experience and recent strong performance against Michelle Pereira. He acknowledges Gandra's power and physicality but wants to see more from him against real competition. Levi believes Reese can find his range and take over if he weathers the early storm.
Jacob picks Ryan Gandra by first round knockout. He criticizes Zach Reese's defense, saying he doesn't move his head and has typical tall guy defense with his chin up. He believes Gandra's right hand down the middle will connect and hurt Reese, leading to an early knockout. He is not worried about the moneyline and specifically plays the first round knockout prop.
Lucrative James picks Zachary Reese via KO, despite Reese's chin issues. He believes Reese is more proven with a diverse skill set and that Gandra's wild striking will be exposed. He notes Gandra's early knockout power but thinks Reese's experience against higher-level competition will prevail.
The host believes Gandra is technically superior and that will be the difference maker, leading to a stoppage. He specifically picks Gandra by submission.
The host leans with Gandra due to his superior all-around skills, judo, and top control, predicting a submission in the first two rounds. However, he acknowledges Reese's early power and speed could cause an upset, and he would need a better price than -150 to bet.
Paul picks Ryan Gandra, agreeing with Cody. He notes the line movement and believes Gandra's power will be decisive. He plans to bet Gandra round 1 at plus money.
The MMA Guru picks Ryan Gandra to win by KO in the first round. He criticizes Zachary Reese's coordination and chin, noting that Reese has a long neck and tiny head, making him hittable. He trusts Gandra's knockout ability and momentum, but acknowledges that if the fight goes to later rounds, Reese's grappling could be a factor.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zachary Reese | 0 | 74 of 148 | 50% | 81 of 160 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 0:47 |
| Michel Pereira | 0 | 63 of 132 | 47% | 70 of 139 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zachary Reese | 0 | 23 of 51 | 45% | 26 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michel Pereira | 0 | 18 of 40 | 45% | 25 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:42 | |
| 2 | Zachary Reese | 0 | 24 of 44 | 54% | 28 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:44 |
| Michel Pereira | 0 | 22 of 42 | 52% | 22 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 3 | Zachary Reese | 0 | 27 of 53 | 50% | 27 of 55 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Michel Pereira | 0 | 23 of 50 | 46% | 23 of 50 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zachary Reese | 74 of 148 | 50% | 24 of 90 | 30 of 38 | 20 of 20 | 72 of 142 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Michel Pereira | 63 of 132 | 47% | 29 of 75 | 31 of 53 | 3 of 4 | 53 of 119 | 9 of 11 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zachary Reese | 23 of 51 | 45% | 4 of 29 | 8 of 11 | 11 of 11 | 23 of 50 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Michel Pereira | 18 of 40 | 45% | 8 of 21 | 10 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 35 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Zachary Reese | 24 of 44 | 54% | 9 of 25 | 11 of 15 | 4 of 4 | 23 of 41 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Michel Pereira | 22 of 42 | 52% | 12 of 25 | 9 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 16 of 35 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 1 | |
| 3 | Zachary Reese | 27 of 53 | 50% | 11 of 36 | 11 of 12 | 5 of 5 | 26 of 51 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Michel Pereira | 23 of 50 | 46% | 9 of 29 | 12 of 18 | 2 of 3 | 22 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Herb Dean is the referee. Pereira lands a hard body kick to begin the main card. Pereira counters a kick with a glancing overhand, but Reese seems to be OK. Pereira jabs the body. Pereira counters another kick with a right hand and Reese goes down. Pereira welcomes Reese back to his feet. Reese lands a body kick. Pereira with a front kick down the middle. Pereira jabs the body. Reese moves in and lands a knee to the body. Reese attempts an inside leg kick, but Herb Dean calls time because it apparently landed low. The crowd isn’t buying it but Pereira takes about a minute. Pereira tries for that same overhand counter following a Reese kick but it’s not as successful as it was earlier. Reese moves in and lands a combination to the body. Reese kicks the body, and Pereira grimaces, as it landed below the belt again. A replay review determines that it was indeed a foul, despite the protests of the fans. Reese lands a kick and they engage in the clinch, with both men swinging wildly during a brief exchange. An errant spinning attack by Reese results in a takedown for Pereira. Reese stands, but Pereira grabs the neck and lands a couple knees on the break. Pereira stabs the body with a front kick. Reese leaps in wildly, but Pereira can’t capitalize. Reese makes his foe stumble with a low kick before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Pereira
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Pereira
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Pereira
Round 2
Reese targets the body with kicks. They clinch, and Pereira lands a pair of hard knees to the gut. They clinch and Pereira lands another knee before pushing Reese to the wire. They separate in short order. Pereira lands a right followed by a knee. Reese had his fingers extended during an exchange, and he poked Pereira in the eye. This results in the third timeout of the fight due to a foul by Reese. No point is taken and the action resumes. Reese quickly lands a takedown in the center of the cage. Reese peppers the Brazilian with left hands from half guard. Reese maintains a body lock as Pereira stands. Reese is busted open. Reese lands a body kick. A counter left freezes Pereira where he stands. Pereira throws a right to the body. Reese moves in and Pereira land a leaping knee. They crash forward, with both men landing in an exchange. Reese is holding his hands low as he lands a right. Pereira jabs the body while avoiding a high kick. Another body kick for Reese. Reese lands a two-punch combination. Reese throws a front kick to the body and Pereira urges him on. Reese just misses with a flying knee. Pereira responds with a rolling somersault kick at the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Reese
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Reese
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Reese
Round 3
Reese opens with a body kick. Pereira throws a push kick to the body. Reese lands a leg kick and is warned to keep his hands closed. Reese attacks the body with another kick. They collide in the clinch and separate. Reese closes distance and lands a knee. Pereira connects with a straight right. A lead leg head kick lands for Reese, as these two keep trading one-off attacks. Reese with a two-punch solid combination. Pereira sticks a jab. Reese kicks the body. Pereira lands a counter right. Reese lands a right uppercut to the body followed by a left hand over the top. Pereira closes the distance and Reese nearly had a choke locked. Periera was a ble to scramble up. That sets the stage for another exchange. Both men land heavy shots initially, but they’re mostly swinging and missing in the waning seconds, save for a Pereira knee down the middle.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Reese (29-28 Reese)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Reese (29-28 Reese)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Reese (29-28 Reese)
The Official Result
Michel Pereira def. Zachary Reese via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) R3 5:00
Angelo picks Michel Pereira despite recent poor form, citing his superior athleticism, speed, wrestling, and training partners. He acknowledges Pereira's mental state is a question mark after a public divorce, but believes the version from 2024 would dominate. He goes with his brain over his gut.
Big Brady picks Zachary Reese to defeat Michel Pereira, but with clear disgust and hesitation. He believes Pereira is washed, citing his terrible performances against Abus Magomedov and a 40-second knockout loss to Kyle Daukaus. He calls the fight 'disgusting' and hopes it gets canceled. He notes Reese is the underdog but feels he has more faith in Reese at this point. He predicts a first-round knockout, reasoning that if Daukaus could KO Pereira, Reese can too.
Cody thinks Pereira's desperation and flashy style will lead to an early finish. He notes Reese's durability issues and poor cardio. He expects Pereira to win by KO or submission in the first round.
Connor picks Pereira despite acknowledging he looks shot. He notes that Pereira has better technique and experience, and that Reese has never beaten a good fighter. He points out that Pereira's creativity and speed could still be enough against a limited opponent like Reese, but admits it's a terrible fight and Pereira could lose if he's truly broken.
The host heavily leans towards Pereira, citing his superior striking, cardio, and ground game compared to Reese. However, he cannot bet Pereira at -155 because of the red flag from Pereira's passive performance against Abus Magomedov, which may indicate decline. He notes that if Pereira shows up and fights to his potential, he wins easily, but the inconsistency makes him unbettable.
James picks Michel Pereira to win by first-round finish, but with hesitation due to Pereira's recent poor performances and questionable chin. He notes that Pereira has far better tools and competition wins, but if he doesn't get an early finish, Reese could take over. James prefers the under 1.5 rounds as a betting angle.
Pereira is on a three-fight losing streak but has faced tough competition and should be motivated to save his roster spot. He is the better fighter on paper with more experience. Reese is dangerous but has durability questions. If Pereira comes back at 80% of his former self, he should find a finish. The under 1.5 rounds is also a good play as both are finishers.
Paul agrees, citing Pereira's ability to finish fights early and Reese's tendency to get knocked out. He thinks Pereira's wrestling is underrated and that he can win on the ground if needed. He expects a first-round finish.
The MMA Guru hesitantly picks Michel Pereira, trusting his ability despite a recent loss to Hernandez. He notes Pereira's cardio issues but thinks he can find Reese's chin. He is unsure due to Pereira's inconsistency but believes Reese's fundamental ability is lacking.
Zane picks Reese as a counter to Connor, arguing that Pereira's confidence is shattered after the Hernandez loss and he has looked terrible in his last two fights. He notes that Reese is dangerous early and that Pereira's recent performances suggest he no longer knows how to fight. He admits it's a terrible fight and that Reese could easily lose, but he's willing to take the chance.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson McVey | 0 | 32 of 42 | 76% | 81 of 97 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:24 |
| Zachary Reese | 0 | 56 of 73 | 76% | 68 of 86 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 2:23 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson McVey | 0 | 31 of 40 | 77% | 61 of 74 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
| Zachary Reese | 0 | 53 of 67 | 79% | 65 of 79 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 2:23 | |
| 2 | Jackson McVey | 0 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 20 of 23 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 1:26 |
| Zachary Reese | 0 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 3 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson McVey | 32 of 42 | 76% | 21 of 31 | 5 of 5 | 6 of 6 | 15 of 19 | 16 of 21 | 1 of 2 |
| Zachary Reese | 56 of 73 | 76% | 28 of 39 | 27 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 19 | 47 of 54 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson McVey | 31 of 40 | 77% | 21 of 30 | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 14 of 18 | 16 of 21 | 1 of 1 |
| Zachary Reese | 53 of 67 | 79% | 26 of 34 | 26 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 16 | 45 of 51 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jackson McVey | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Zachary Reese | 3 of 6 | 50% | 2 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Valentin (-160); McVey (+130)
Round 1
It’s fight day, like many Saturdays before this one. With a dozen bouts playing out the next six-ish hours at the UFC Apex, ranked talents may be at a premium but hopefully the action makes this night worthwhile. The broadcast kicks off without touching on the betting scandal that blossomed last week, so it’s anyone’s guess which direction that will take. Bring on the mutual combat. With this pairing coming together this week, a pair of middleweights elected to set this bout at 195 pounds to alleviate some of the pain of weight cutting. McVey (6-1, 0-1 UFC) was planning on Robert Valentin, but in his injured stead will be Texas’ Reese (9-2, 1 NC; 3-2, 1 NC UFC). The athletes bump fists in front of referee Chris Tognoni to open up the festivities.
McVey offers out an oblique kick, and Reese immediately counters with a left hand over the top. Reese sits down on a nasty calf kick and takes McVey off-balance, prompting McVey to surge forward and attack. McVey bashes his man from up close with elbows and short strikes, and Reese shakes them off and delivers a plethora of damaging uppercuts to shake McVey up. The two proceed to rip into one another, hammering one another in a brutal muay thai fashion with blood already flowing a minute in and some harm inflicted on both sides. Reese takes a few elbows up top and pushes McVey from one side of the cage to the other, but it is McVey who is still in the driver’s seat. McVey punishes his opponent with knees to the body, and one particularly effective one puts Reese on his knees. Reese explodes back to his feet and comes back firing, but it is McVey who is hitting harder.
Reese has some success when under fire, and he gets a bit of unwelcome relief when McVey drives a knee directly into his cup. Reese groans, and Tognoni immediately calls time as McVey apologizes. Reese walks off to recover, and Tognoni calls in the doctor to check on the fresh cut above his eyebrow that spans nearly halfway from end to end. Reese is cleared to continue, and he paces back and forth to keep getting his wind back. A mouse starts to develop on the forehead of “Savage,” who does not appear compromised but may have gassed himself out in the first few minutes of fury so he gets some of that back. The Apex is quiet so there is no external pressure for him to hurry back to placate bloodthirsty fans, allowing Reese to comfortably walk back and forth adjusting his cup. Tognoni keeps him informed, and after 2:30 of time off, they resume and immediately start brawling.
McVey’s swings back Reese up quickly, and they proceed to tie one another up and trade to bash one another with clinch strikes. Reese keeps McVey honest with a few elbows, and he drives a shot to the body to open up more attacks upstairs. Reese presses forward and his momentum bowls McVey over as he lands on top. McVey defends off his back with feeble elbows, because Reese easily clears his hips and moves to side control to isolate one arm for a kimura. Reese goes over a little too far, so he sets up an inverted triangle choke and flirts with an armbar as well. McVey rolls him over and stacks Reese up, and they ride the round out. McVey has now officially completed one round of combat for the first time as a pro.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 McVey
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 McVey
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 McVey
Round 2
The fighters bump fists to reintroduce themselves, and Reese starts off with a sticking leg kick. McVey responds by powering forward to set up his preferred clinch range to let loose with elbows and knees to the body. As Reese sees this coming, he trips “The Moose” up and puts him on his back to take most of his weapons away. Reese postures up to drive down a huge strike, and McVey times him perfectly to spin to the side and get to his knees. Rather than fight back up, however, McVey instead tries to snatch onto a guillotine choke and jump for it. Reese pops out of it almost immediately, and he looks to engage with ground-and-pound. McVey turns to get out, but in the process, he gives up his back.
Reese gladly accepts it, locks up the body triangle and secures a rear-naked choke. McVey’s corner shouts that he cannot give up, but the choke has him dead to rights with no way out. Rather than go out on his shield, “The Moose” calls it quits by tapping out on Reese’s arm a few times.
This marks the first time that Reese had ever performed a stoppage out of the first round.
The Official Result
Zachary Reese def. Jackson McVey R2 1:38 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo picks Robert Valentin because he has seen him be tough and get after it, and he knows he can work in takedowns. However, he is not confident and advises against betting on this fight, calling it a mess. He notes that both fighters are not UFC level and it's a win-or-go-back-to-regional matchup.
Big Brady is not sold on Jackson McVey after his poor debut where he looked atrocious and got armbarred in the first round. He notes that Zachary Reese has powerful striking and a sneaky submission game, though his chin and cardio are questionable. Despite not wanting to lay -300, he believes Reese should finish McVey easily, predicting a first-round submission.
Lucrative James picks Robert Valentine, but the matchup is actually Jackson McVey vs Zachary Reese. He mistakenly refers to Valentine as the opponent. He notes Valentine's superior grappling and predicts an inside-the-distance win, likely by submission. He criticizes McVey's UFC debut loss via armbar and questions his level.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zachary Reese | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sedriques Dumas | 0 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 3 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zachary Reese | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Sedriques Dumas | 0 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 3 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zachary Reese | 2 of 7 | 28% | 0 of 3 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Sedriques Dumas | 3 of 10 | 30% | 1 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zachary Reese | 2 of 7 | 28% | 0 of 3 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Sedriques Dumas | 3 of 10 | 30% | 1 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Reese (-240); Dumas (+200)
Round 1
Mike Beltran is the referee. Dumas comes out aggressively, with a double jab-straight combination. Fighting from opposing stances, the middleweights trade low kicks. A hard inside low kick lands for Dumas, but moments later, “The Reaper” absorbs an audible kick to the groin from Reese. Dumas immediately collapses to the canvas in agony and the crowd groans upon viewing the replay. Now a doctor has come in to talk to Dumas, who remains on his knees. He informs the doctor that, “I cannot feel my right ball.” Beltran tries to encourage Dumas to stand up, but he says he can’t get up. After that revelation, Beltran waves off the fight. Reese yells in frustration before walking over to apologize to Dumas. This one will be a no contest due to the accidental foul.
The Official Result
Zachary Reese vs. Sedriques Dumas is Ruled a No Contest (Accidental Foul) R1 0:51
Angelo picks Reese confidently, calling Dumas a disaster and not very good. He notes Reese is a massive middleweight with size and strength, well-rounded, though his wrestling is inconsistent. He says Dumas is scrappy but not skilled or dangerous, and if Reese lands a takedown or big bomb, he finds a finish. He mentions Reese is almost a 3-to-1 favorite and should be.
Big Brady picks Reese because Dumas has shown no durability, heart, or volume in the UFC. He criticizes Dumas's training environment and legal issues. He predicts Reese finishes Dumas in the first round by submission, though he notes Reese himself has questionable durability and cardio.
Connor also picks Reese, agreeing that Dumas is technically poor and lacks coordination. He notes that Reese is not great but is an aggressive grappler, and Dumas has no finishing ability. He mentions that Reese lost to Cody Brundage, but Dumas is even worse.
Reese is expected to return to his early finishing ways after defending Dumas's takedowns. The host believes Reese will dictate the pace, land big shots, and produce a round one knockout, showing strong confidence in his power and timing.
The MMA Guru picks Zachary Reese, citing his athleticism, kicks at range, and ability to finish. He expects Reese to hurt Dumas with body kicks and predicts a finish late in the first or second round. He also questions Dumas's discipline and commitment due to legal issues, making him untrustworthy.
Zane picks Reese, noting that Dumas is awkward and uncoordinated on the feet, and Reese is an aggressive grappler who can find a submission. He mentions that Dumas only beats bad opponents and has no finishing ability, while Reese has shown some submission skills.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zachary Reese | 0 | 50 of 108 | 46% | 73 of 135 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:19 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 35 of 65 | 53% | 73 of 109 | 4 of 13 | 30% | 1 | 1 | 5:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zachary Reese | 0 | 6 of 11 | 54% | 19 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:06 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 10 of 15 | 66% | 31 of 38 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 1 | 1 | 3:01 | |
| 2 | Zachary Reese | 0 | 17 of 30 | 56% | 25 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 8 of 16 | 50% | 18 of 29 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 2:10 | |
| 3 | Zachary Reese | 0 | 27 of 67 | 40% | 29 of 70 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Duško Todorović | 0 | 17 of 34 | 50% | 24 of 42 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zachary Reese | 50 of 108 | 46% | 21 of 72 | 20 of 23 | 9 of 13 | 43 of 98 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Duško Todorović | 35 of 65 | 53% | 22 of 50 | 8 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 22 of 50 | 6 of 6 | 7 of 9 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zachary Reese | 6 of 11 | 54% | 3 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Duško Todorović | 10 of 15 | 66% | 8 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 8 | |
| 2 | Zachary Reese | 17 of 30 | 56% | 7 of 19 | 7 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 15 of 27 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Duško Todorović | 8 of 16 | 50% | 2 of 10 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 11 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 1 | |
| 3 | Zachary Reese | 27 of 67 | 40% | 11 of 46 | 10 of 12 | 6 of 9 | 26 of 65 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Duško Todorović | 17 of 34 | 50% | 12 of 28 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 16 of 33 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Reese (-238), Todorovic (+195)
Round 1
The prelims were short at just four bouts, and the main card kicks off with a middleweight action fight that practically promises that referee Herb Dean will get involved before too long. Reese (8-2, 2-2 UFC) and Todorovic (12-5, 3-5 UFC) combine for 18 stoppages in their 20 pro wins, with knockouts their preferred method of victory. Before they try to lop one another’s head off, the two 185ers bump fists. Reese introduces himself with a body kick, and Todorovic does the same. Todorovic doubles up on a kick with another and shoots for a takedown. Reese scrambles and finds his way on top, with Todorovic sitting up for a guillotine choke. Reese lifts Todorovic up and tosses him down, and Todorovic mounts him with the guillotine intact. Reese fights his way through it, his neck still in jeopardy, and he works his way to his feet. Todorovic uses the choke to maintain control and impose his weight, and lowers Reese down to the ground to knee him in the side. When Reese gets up, Todorovic muscles him back to his knees. The Texan explodes back to his feet, kneeing his man in the gut and fighting off a trip to thump “Thunder” with a hard shoulder strike. Reese backs off and avoids a pair of hooks, fires off a head kick that misses the mark and resets. Todorovic charges at him with a swarm of fists, and Reese blocks most of them and gives one back until he gets clinched. Todorovic trips Reese out, and when Todorovic stands above him, Reese searches for a leglock. Todorovic fights it off, and he ignores an upkick on the side of the dome so he can lower himself down to top position. Reese closes his guard, and he hacks with elbows off his back. Todorovic responds with a few right hands from above, and he elbows down to club “Savage” a few times. Todorovic stacks his man up and unleashes nasty hammerfists that drill into his foe’s jaw again and again. The horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Todorovic
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Todorovic
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Todorovic
Round 2
A glove touch begins the second round, where Reese wants to start off hot and cracks Todorovic with a three-punch combo. Reese reaches his man with a fierce right hand, forcing Todorovic to engage a clinch. Reese breaks away and slaps his foe in the ribs with a kick. When Todorovic shoots for a takedown, Reese counters him with an uppercut but does not break his stride. They share short strikes on one another, and Reese leans back and drives a knee to the stomach that allows him to break off. Todorovic fakes a right hand to shoots for an awkward takedown, and Reese ignores it and counters with an overhand right. Reese stands firm with a one-two on the chin, walking through a body kick to jump at him with a knee. When he misses, Todorovic offers him a high-five. Reese leans back to avoid an overhand right, and Todorovic grabs hold of him and bullies him to the wall. Reese breaks free and catches Todorovic coming in with a short left, but it is one-and-done as he chambers and fires a body kick. What follow is a front kick, and an evasive maneuver when Todorovic rushes him. Todorovic fakes high for a level change, and Reese tosses him aside and wings a right hand and puts a front kick on the chest. Todorovic shoots for and lands a takedown, and Reese defends with a guillotine choke, only to find himself in Von Preux choke danger. Todorovic stacks him up rather than looking for the counter sub, and this lets Reese burst upright to get up. Todorovic stays pressed to him, ripping the body with a few punches and getting uppercutted for his handiwork. The two clinch up and end the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Reese
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Reese
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Reese
Round 3
The fighters walk towards one another cautiously to start off the final frame, offering a glove touch and getting back to swinging. Reese loops wider shots, but when they land, they do with audible thuds. Todorovic gets him back with a couple of calf kicks, and Reese splits his guard with a long left hand. Reese twirls Todorovic around when the Serbian fighter shoots in on the hips, and he chains a few punches behind it. When Todorovic scores, Reese clubs him with a right on the ear. Reese spins with a kick to the body, and Todorovic smiles and high-fives him. Reese gathers himself and boots his man in the body and tries one up high, while Todorovic’s volume has plummeted. Reese stays on the outside potshotting his foe with body kicks, and when Todorovic charges him, Reese is light on his feet popping him here and there. Todorovic lashes out with a right hand that busts open Reese’s nose, and Reese responds with a leaping takedown shot that is stonewalled. Todorovic sweeps the leg and connects with another power right hand, using the strikes to set up a takedown. Reese gets pushed to the wall and spins out, sneaking a knee to the body on his way out. Todorovic looks for one final takedown, and Reese stops it and uppercuts him a few times before the grueling match concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Reese (29-28 Reese)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Reese (29-28 Reese)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Reese (29-28 Reese)
The Official Result
Zachary Reese def. Dusko Todorovic via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Zachary Reese but is hesitant due to Reese's tendency to play jiu-jitsu off his back and give up positions. He acknowledges Reese's power and size advantages and Todorović's questionable chin, but worries Reese might make bad decisions. He rates it as medium confidence on the website.
Big Brady fades Zachary Reese despite being a favorite, citing Reese's poor takedown defense (33%) and tendency to get finished. He notes Todorović has good ground-and-pound and can take Reese down. Although Todorović has terrible striking defense, Brady thinks Reese lacks the power to knock him out. He picks Todorović by second-round TKO.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Reese because Todorović is a technical mess and easy to hit. He notes that Reese is also flawed but has more aggression and power. Connor emphasizes that this is a low-level fight and hard to pick with confidence.
Matt picks Zachary Reese to win by knockout in round one. He expects a short fight, noting that Reese is explosive and violent with 7 of 8 wins in the first round, while Todorović has deteriorating durability and often gets finished. Matt likes the under 1.5 rounds and Reese round one knockout prop, and also mentions Reese by submission round one as a long shot.
The MMA Guru picks Zachary Reese by first-round TKO, very confident. He notes Reese's size advantage (6'4") and Todorović's poor durability and chin. He mentions Todorović has been KO'd many times and Reese's pace is strong. He also had a PrizePicks bet on Reese under 5.25 minutes.
Zane picks Reese because he thinks Reese still has unchecked aggression and faith in his game, whereas Todorović seems to have lost confidence after a brutal loss. He notes that both fighters are low-level, but Todorović's tendency to knock himself out and his poor technical game make him the riskier pick.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azamat Bekoev | 0 | 13 of 24 | 54% | 22 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Zachary Reese | 0 | 21 of 26 | 80% | 52 of 59 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:14 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Azamat Bekoev | 0 | 13 of 24 | 54% | 22 of 35 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Zachary Reese | 0 | 21 of 26 | 80% | 52 of 59 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:14 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azamat Bekoev | 13 of 24 | 54% | 13 of 22 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 16 |
| Zachary Reese | 21 of 26 | 80% | 16 of 19 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 20 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Azamat Bekoev | 13 of 24 | 54% | 13 of 22 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 16 |
| Zachary Reese | 21 of 26 | 80% | 16 of 19 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 20 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bekoev (-198), Reese (+168)
Round 1
As recent as a week ago, Reese (8-1, 2-1 UFC) was planning on facing Sedriques Dumas. Unfortunately for the latter, he was forced to withdraw, and in steps a former LFA middleweight champion—but not Eryk Anders, Markus Perez, Anthony Hernandez, Ian Heinisch, Brendan Allen, Gregory Rodrigues, Josh Silveira, Osman Diaz or Lucas Fernando. It is all about the self-proclaimed “Iron” Bekoev (18-3, 0-0 UFC), a Russian in the American Top Team pipeline that can end a fight any way he chooses. Referee Blake Grice draws the charge for the 185ers, sealing the cage as the combatants come together to gingerly touch their tips—of their gloves. Bekoev pushes the pace immediately, and he walks straight into a head kick. The Russian wears it well and then absorbs a right hand, and he responds with a high kick that bangs into the pectoral. Reese reaches out with a knee and swipes out with a left hook, and he sways back to avoid a counter. Reese knees the body, and Bekoev responds by attacking a single-leg takedown. When Reese connects with an elbow, he falls to his back and almost instantly sets up an armbar. Bekoev punches his way out of it but cannot quite establish top control, holding on as he slides into the guard landing strikes. Reese replies with sharp elbows off his back and an upkick anywhere he can find the space to hit. Both fighters trade surprisingly heavy blows, with Reese hacking with elbows while Bekoev beats on him with his fists. Reese pushes off but cannot get Bekoev off of him, so he resorts to spamming more elbows while absorbing punishment from above. Reese rolls for an armbar, but there is nothing to it as Bekoev starts to work Reese over with punches.
Bekoev continues to club Reese with vicious ground-and-pound, and as his strikes land, Reese goes out. Grice rushes between them to stop the fight, and he inadvertently tackles Reese to bang his head off the back of the mat.
Reese is totally unconscious, and it takes a frightening amount of time for him to regain his senses. He tries to sit up and then stand, but he does not have his legs beneath him as medical professionals tend to him. He has regained consciousness and is responsive to questions, but still looks around the arena wide-eyed as if he has no idea what just happened. Meanwhile, this is a statement introduction for Bekoev, who completely flatlined Reese with ground-and-pound while in the guard—a rare knockout indeed.
The Official Result
Azamat Bekoev def. Zachary Reese R1 3:04 via KO (Punches)
Angelo picks Zachary Reese, calling him the better fighter overall. He notes Reese's size, power, and well-rounded skills, while criticizing Cedric Dumas' lack of ground game and reliance on corner instructions. He believes the -260 price is a discount and expects the line to widen further.
Cody picks Zachary Reese as an underdog, citing his size (6'4", 77-inch reach) and well-rounded skills. He notes that Bekoev has been underwhelming in the US and has a split decision win over Dylan Budka, who has struggled in the UFC. Reese has shown good striking, grappling, and cardio in his recent fights. Cody believes Reese's length and submission threat will be problematic for Bekoev, especially if the fight goes to the ground. He plans to watch more tape but leans Reese.
The host notes Bekoev is the LFA middleweight champion making a short-notice UFC debut. If Bekoev can use his wrestling to stay safe early, he should put Reese through the ringer and win on the scorecards.
Paul leans Reese as a dog, noting the size advantage and that Bekoev's win over Budka is not impressive. He mentions that Reese has shown cardio and takedown ability in his last fight. Paul is skeptical of the 'Russian tax' and thinks the line is off. He plans to watch more tape but is leaning towards taking the shot on Reese at plus money.
The MMA Guru picks Azamat Bekoev over Zachary Reese but is hesitant. He notes Reese lost to Cody Brundage and is not impressed, while Bekoev has momentum and is coming into his prime. He acknowledges Reese could be too athletic and land shots early, but he sides with Bekoev's grappling and recent wins. He predicts a decision win for Bekoev.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zachary Reese | 0 | 75 of 129 | 58% | 101 of 162 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 1 | 1 | 5:57 |
| José Daniel Medina | 0 | 32 of 74 | 43% | 53 of 97 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:12 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zachary Reese | 0 | 34 of 54 | 62% | 40 of 63 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 | 1 | 2:08 |
| José Daniel Medina | 0 | 4 of 15 | 26% | 13 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:46 | |
| 2 | Zachary Reese | 0 | 26 of 53 | 49% | 31 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| José Daniel Medina | 0 | 18 of 41 | 43% | 20 of 43 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:26 | |
| 3 | Zachary Reese | 0 | 15 of 22 | 68% | 30 of 41 | 4 of 6 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 3:49 |
| José Daniel Medina | 0 | 10 of 18 | 55% | 20 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zachary Reese | 75 of 129 | 58% | 42 of 85 | 20 of 30 | 13 of 14 | 57 of 101 | 2 of 4 | 16 of 24 |
| José Daniel Medina | 32 of 74 | 43% | 20 of 55 | 5 of 12 | 7 of 7 | 30 of 72 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zachary Reese | 34 of 54 | 62% | 23 of 42 | 9 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 20 of 33 | 1 of 2 | 13 of 19 |
| José Daniel Medina | 4 of 15 | 26% | 2 of 11 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Zachary Reese | 26 of 53 | 49% | 10 of 31 | 8 of 13 | 8 of 9 | 26 of 53 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| José Daniel Medina | 18 of 41 | 43% | 11 of 29 | 2 of 7 | 5 of 5 | 18 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Zachary Reese | 15 of 22 | 68% | 9 of 12 | 3 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 11 of 15 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 5 |
| José Daniel Medina | 10 of 18 | 55% | 7 of 15 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Reese (-500), Medina (+380)
Round 1
Seeing who is about to take the stage next, judges take a sigh of relief while referee Dan Miragliotta sharply inhales. Texas-based chaos agent Reese (7-1, 1-1 UFC) is about to sling leather with ultraviolent Bolivian Medina (11-3, 0-0 UFC) in a middleweight crash-em-up derby. Between the two, they celebrate one win on the scorecards. Before mayhem ensues, there is a brief shared glove touch. Medina wants to get to business, and immediately jabs to say hello. Reese doubles up on body kicks and clubs Medina with a left hand, backing the Bolivian to the wall. Reese dings him with a few punches and backs off rather than staying in firing range, instead coming forward when he finds the angle he seeks. Reese cracks his foe with a right hand, and he ducks down and secures a clean double-leg takedown to put “Chicho” on his back. Reese does not even get in the guard before pounding down with left hands, and he opens up with ground-and-pound that shreds Medina’s forehead open. Medina turns his back to get to his knees and wall-walk, and Reese clings to him from behind and lifts Medina in the air with a single-leg takedown. Medina again gets up, this time with less effort, and Reese attempts a mat return. Medina turns around and Reese lets him have it with three fiery punches. Medina backs off and absorbs a ferocious body kick that nearly doubles him over, and he keeps a stiff upper lip and guards against a head kick. Medina paws his way in with right hooks that miss the mark, and Reese kicks him in the side and then blasts him with a liver kick. Medina retreats to the cage wall, and Reese charges after him, unloading with fists of fury. Medina ducks underneath the power strikes, grabs the Texan from the side and slings him to the canvas. Medina lowers himself into the guard, and Reese sits up and starts to set up a guillotine choke. Reese rolls his man over with the choke, and he uses the painful submission to flip Medina over and nearly secure mount. Medina wriggles out of the submission and gets some space, and Reese stands up and allows Medina to stand. Medina slowly gets up as Miragliotta tells him to hurry, and he is quick to eat two punches and a liver kick. Medina shakes his hand and points at the ground to initiate a brawl, and he runs forward throwing hands. Reese backpedals and gets off a few punches, and he spins with a back fist and jumps with a knee as the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Reese
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Reese
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Reese
Round 2
Reese rushes out of his corner ready to attack, and he starts with a lunging right hand and a leg kick. This marks the longest fight of his young career, and he is not totally spent, as he lashes out with a jump knee and kicks Medina in the liver. Medina groans and drops his hands, and Reese goes after him with another jumping knee that misses. Reese hammers the side with a stern kick, and he checks a leg kick. Reese reaches the target with a long left hand and another vicious body kick, and he connects with two left hands as Medina wags his finger at him. Reese does not slow down when Medina plays, punching him in the face a few more times. Medina throws back a single low kick, and Reese boots him twice to the body. Medina offers a single jab and a leg kick, and Reese loops a right hand around the guard. Medina circles away and gets booted in the face, and he smiles and returns fire with a body shot. Medina rushes forward and Reese slips away, and Reese is slowing to throw one power strike rather than setting them up. He gets in another body kick, and then one more thuds to the side, but Medina is right in front of him throwing back. Medina shrugs at him when Reese lands a strike, and Reese comes over the top with a question-mark kick. Medina is as durable as they come, as he walks through a spinning kick to the body so he can wind up with a right hand and a left hook. Reese backs him away with a jab and step-in left hook, and his leg kick makes Medina point at the ground again. Reese kicks the same lead leg two more times as Medina does not like this strike, but Medina steels himself and releases a few punches. Reese counters and beats up the front leg, and Medina shrugs again, wings a right hand and shoots in for a double. Medina pushes Reese against the cage wall, and Reese separates with a second to spare and whiffs on an elbow.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Reese
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Reese
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Reese
Round 3
Medina raises both arms up to signal that he wants a hug, and Reese reluctantly accepts it. They start fighting, and Reese kicks him in the liver and pursues a takedown. Medina stops it and pushes him away, but Reese meets him with another body kick. When a knee from Reese nearly tags the Bolivian, “Chicho” motions to Reese and shares a laugh with Miragliotta that he managed to avoid it. Reese sprints forward and tackles Medina to the canvas, finding a few spots to land power punches before Medina kicks him off. Reese backs off and pushes forward to land another takedown, but Medina is once more able to push Reese off of him. Medina stands up without issue, and he gets belted in the face with a left hand and walks Reese down to land three punches including a liver shot. Medina connects with a left hand that hurts Reese, and Reese retaliates with a slamming takedown that bums Medina out and bloodies up his ear. Reese moves to half guard, and after taking a few seconds to catch his breath, he opens up with right hands. The Texan climbs to half guard on the other side to land strikes, and Medina answers him with hacking elbows off his back. Medina sits up, and Reese snatches up his neck and hunts for a one-arm submission that nearly transitions into a brabo choke. Reese holds on with a potential arm-triangle, and Medina complains that his glove is getting grabbed. Reese slugs away from on top, and Medina sits up to give his back up. Reese steps around to capitalize, but Medina gets to his feet by crawling to the fence. Reese pursues a single, and he deposits the Bolivian to the mat for a second. Medina is not about to go out like this, standing up once more, and he fights off a final takedown and slugs away until the fight concludes. Medina might have lost clearly, but he had a blast every step of the way.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Reese (30-27 Reese)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Reese (30-27 Reese)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Reese (30-27 Reese)
The Official Result
Zachary Reese def. Jose Medina via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Zachary Reese, acknowledging that Reese burned him in the past but attributing that loss to a freak powerbomb. He notes Reese's size, power, and BJJ, but warns that if Reese plays the 'Jiu-Jitsu nerd game' and throws up triangles, he could get ground-and-pounded by Medina. He thinks Reese is the better fighter and should win, but is cautious.
Cody picks Reese because he is a finisher with power and submission skills. He notes that Medina has poor takedown defense and has been dominated on the ground. He thinks Reese will take him down and finish him early. He also mentions that Medina is dropping down to middleweight and may not handle the cut well.
Daniel Vreeland picks Zachary Reese but is not confident due to Reese's unknown cardio past the first round. He notes Medina is tough and could survive early onslaught and finish late, but believes Reese's power and aggression will likely get the job done early.
Brevin picks Reese by decision, dismissing his slam KO loss to Cody Brundage as a freak accident. He notes Reese was nearly submitting Brundage before the slam. He thinks Medina is unimpressive and will try to pressure grapple but Reese is better. JP is more confident, picking Reese by KO, calling Medina bad, out of shape, and noting Reese is much bigger and stronger. He calls the Brundage slam a one-off.
Paul leans towards Reese but is concerned about the price and Reese's cardio. He notes that Reese has never fought past the first round and could fade. He thinks Medina's durability could be a factor if Reese doesn't finish early. He prefers to look at live betting or late props on Medina.
The MMA Guru picks Zachary Reese because he considers José Medina not UFC-level and 'garbage'. He notes Reese is a talented finisher with good submissions off his back and KO power on the feet, despite a previous loss where he was slammed on his head. He dismisses Medina's resume as weak.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zachary Reese | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Julian Marquez | 1 | 6 of 9 | 66% | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zachary Reese | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Julian Marquez | 1 | 6 of 9 | 66% | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zachary Reese | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Julian Marquez | 6 of 9 | 66% | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zachary Reese | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Julian Marquez | 6 of 9 | 66% | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Marquez (-130), Reese (+110)
Round 1
From one all-action fight to another we go, as dueling middleweights with 100% finish rates put referee Dan Miragliotta on notice. Marquez (9-4, 3-3 UFC) has not had his hand raised since putting Sam Alvey away in 2021, while Reese (6-1, 0-1 UFC) was unsuccessful in his promotional debut in December when Cody Brundage slammed him through the cage floor. The judges may be able to take this one off. The fighters clap hands, and Marquez reaches out with jabs and a low kick. Reese chambers and fires off a body kick, and Marquez backs away as that got him cleanly.
The mulleted fighter chases and unloads a left hand and an uppercut right on the button, and Marquez collapses to the canvas, already done. To seal the deal, “Savage” clobbers the Missouri native with a salvo of hammerfists, and Miragliotta calls a halt to the match as the crowd goes wild.
Marquez sits up and is a little upset by the stoppage, but he understands why Miragliotta had to get involved, as it was likely only to get worse from there. After eight fights, Reese has still yet to reach the second round, and this is easily his quickest stoppage to date.
The Official Result
Zachary Reese def. Julian Marquez R1 0:20 via TKO (Body Kick and Punches)
Angelo leans Zachary Reese, but with low confidence. He notes that Reese is massive for the weight class and has power, but he looked stiff in his last fight and was power bombed. Julian Marquez is tough and dangerous everywhere, but he has been knocked out in his last two fights and has a year layoff. Angelo thinks Reese can weather the early storm and beat a fading Marquez.
Big Brady picks Julian Marquez to win by first-round knockout. He is not sold on Zachary Reese's UFC caliber, noting his poor competition and tendency to end up on bottom. He thinks Marquez is the much better striker and will smoke Reese if his suspicions are correct.
Cody picks Reese as a slight underdog, noting that Marquez has significant health issues and has not looked good in recent fights. Reese is a big, athletic fighter with first-round finishing ability, but his cardio is untested. Cody believes if Reese can survive the first round, Marquez's poor cardio and durability issues will allow Reese to take over. He acknowledges it's a shot in the dark but leans towards Reese.
Daniel picks Marquez based on experience, noting that Reese has never faced real competition and was fraud-checked by Cody Brundage. He acknowledges Marquez has looked terrible since returning from injury but believes his durability and veteran tactics can overcome Reese's size and reach. He calls it a dart throw but leans Marquez.
Jacob picks Julian Marquez, noting that Reese eats right hands and was slammed by Cody Brundage. He thinks Marquez will come forward and land bombs, and Reese's chin is suspect. He also warns that going to the ground with Reese is dangerous due to his length, but Marquez's power should be enough. Jacob is confident Marquez gets the win.
Marquez is a veteran power puncher with a sneaky submission game, while Reese is reckless and was knocked out by a slam in his last fight. This should be a barn burner with both throwing heavy shots. Marquez should finish Reese quickly, making under 1.5 rounds a strong play at -155.
Paul picks Reese, citing Marquez's health issues and inactivity. He notes that Reese is younger, longer, and has more pop in his hands. Paul thinks this will be a sloppy fight and favors the younger fighter with less wear and tear. He expects Reese to have a chance if he can avoid Marquez's early power.
The Guru picks Reese because he questions Marquez's motivation, saying Marquez seems more focused on being a personality than fighting. He notes Marquez has taken a lot of damage in his last two fights (losses to Mark-Andre Barriault and Gregory Rodrigues). Reese is younger and hungrier, and the Guru thinks Reese will catch Marquez in the first round. He acknowledges Reese lost to Cody Brundage by slam KO but was going for a submission.
Michel Pereira - Fight History
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Magomedov (-350); Pereira (+275)
Round 1
Middleweight human highlight reels “Shara Bullet” and “Demolidor” feature in the co-main event. Both men are in orthodox stance. Herb Dean is the referee. After a few tentative early exchanges, Pereira levels Magomedov with a right hand. He follows the Dagestani down, raining down punches as Magomedov defends himself. Pereira shucks the legs out of the way to clear the path for heavier ground shots, but “Shara Bullet” backs him off with upkicks. Pereira adjusts and dives back down, ending up in Magomedov’s wide-open goard. Referee Dean warns Magomedov for pulling Pereira hair. A few seconds later, Dean stops the action, stands Pereira up, warns Magomedov again for pulling hair, then restarts them in guard without taking a point. What are we even doing here? If that isn't a point deduction, what are rules even for? There is no accidental pulling of hair. Pereira is still in guard, dropping short but stinging hammerfists, and has to dodge another upkick. Pereira takes Magomedov’s back and is working to secure the position when Magomedov spins into his guard and takes top position. The crowd roars. “Shara Bullet” stands up out of Pereira’s guard. The horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Pereira
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Pereira
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Pereira
Round 2
Referee Dean gives Magomedov another warning for the repeated hair pulls before the second round starts, with the caveat “No more fouls, OK?” Magomedov flicks out a fast, hard kick to the body of Pereira. Pereira is on his toes, bouncing around the perimeter, and Magomedov tags him with a pair of lightning-fast kicks: one to the leg, one to the body. Pereira resets and comes forward southpaw. Magomedov is throwing sparse offense, but Pereira is throwing back even less. Pereira measures “Shara Bullet” for another massive right, but it comes up just short. Magomedov is walking Pereira around the cage, touching him with sporadic body kicks, and when Pereira explodes into the pocket, he meets him with a nicely timed knee. Under a minute and a half to go, and the round is still defined by a lot of circling and not a lot of punching. Pereira plants and flurries, and a few of the shots glance off the guard of Magomedov. The horn sounds just as Pereira throws a rolling thunder kick.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Round 3
Pereira is again bouncing on the balls of his feet to open Round 3, but again seems gunshy, failing to respond even as “Shara Bullet” connects with three different kicks. Pereira walks straight into a side kick that hits him in the midsection. Pereira is offering nothing but lateral movement and feints in return. Magomedov with another front kick to the guts. Two minutes down and Pereira shoots a long double-leg. Magomedov sprawls and turns him over, and when they return to their feet, Magomedov promptly pokes him in the right eye. Dean halts the action, and we will see how much substance there was to his “no more fouls” warning ahead of Round 2. They go back to work and of course there is no point deduction. Pereira seems slightly energized, landing a couple of low kicks. Pereira shoves his way into the pocket and throws a pair of big punches but doesn’t connect cleanly, and Magomedov separates, then meets Pereira with kicks at range. Under 90 seconds to go and Pereira shoots for a takedown. Magomedov defends well and they stand up against the cage. Pereira throws uppercuts inside. They are in close quarters as the clock winds down, but Magomedov drills Pereira with a knee that hurts him badly. He gives chase, trying to capitalize, but the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (29-28 Magomedov)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (29-28 Magomedov)
Tudor Leonte scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (29-28 Magomedov)
The Official Result
Sharabutdin Magomedov def. Michel Pereira via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
AJ picks Magomedov by knockout, believing Pereira has slowed down and is past his prime. He thinks Magomedov's counter-striking and kicks will be too much, and that Pereira will make mistakes. AJ expects a highlight-reel finish, possibly from a body kick or spinning attack.
AJ DeVito is confident that Sharabutdin Magomedov (Shara Bullet) will defeat Michel Pereira, who he believes is past his prime and has looked bad recently. He expects a highlight-reel KO from Shara Bullet, citing Pereira's decline since the Fluffy Hernandez fight. He also mentions a prop for Shara Bullet to win over 1.5 rounds at -135 and a KO over 1.5 at +450.
AJ picks Magomedov by knockout, believing Pereira is washed and defensively sloppy. Magomedov's slick counter-striking and speed should find the kill shot. Pereira has looked slow and hittable recently, and Magomedov's highlight-reel style is tailor-made for this matchup.
AJ is very confident Shara Bullet wins by knockout, calling it a setup fight. He thinks Pereira looks washed and slow, while Shara is a technical kickboxer with speed and timing. He expects a highlight-reel knockout, possibly in round 2 or 3.
Angelo picks Shara Bullet due to his movement and speed, noting that Michel Pereira is not the same fighter he used to be. He criticizes Shara for being a point fighter rather than a killer, but believes he will win. He advises against betting on Shara by KO and suggests betting over 1.5 rounds if that line is available.
Angelo has grown increasingly confident in Shara Bullet as the week progressed, citing his superior footwork, overall striking, decent takedown defense, and a granite chin. He expects Shara to manage range and stay safe against the wild and reckless Michel Pereira, and believes the fight will go over 1.5 rounds because Shara is not that dangerous but is insanely tough.
Big Brady picks Sharabutdin Magomedov to win by decision. He calls Pereira washed, noting his recent poor performances, lack of cardio, and questionable urgency. Magomedov is a one-dimensional striker but should outpoint Pereira. Brady has no interest in betting this fight due to the high price on Magomedov.
Cody picks Magomedov but is very hesitant, calling the fight trappy. He highlights Magomedov's defensive wrestling issues and one eye, and thinks Pereira has a path via wrestling. He prefers to live bet or take the over, expecting a close fight.
Daniel Levi confidently picks Sharabutdin Magomedov, believing Michel Pereira is on a massive decline and has lost his soul since the Anthony Hernandez fight. He notes Pereira's recent performances were poor, including a robbery win over Zach Reese, and that Magomedov is a work in progress but has good wins and flashy striking. He expects Magomedov to win, possibly by knockout or decision, as Pereira is a striker on his way out.
Lucrative James picks Shara Magomedov because he believes Michel Pereira is on a terrible run, with poor durability and cardio, and lacks technical striking. He notes that Shara is durable, a good striker with distance management, and has been working on his wrestling. He thinks Pereira's only path is an early knockout, but Shara has shown durability against heavy hitters. He also mentions that Pereira's wrestling might not be as effective as Shara has improved his grappling. He predicts a decision win for Shara, with a possible late stoppage if Pereira gasses.
Magomedov is more reliable to implement his Muay Thai style with kicks, knees, and elbows. Pereira has been inconsistent and gun-shy recently. Magomedov should outstrike him and win on the scorecards, but the line is too high to play.
The host expects a fun striking battle with back-and-forth flashy techniques, but not enough for a knockout. He thinks the fight will go to the scorecards and the Russian (Shara Magomedov) will get his hand raised.
Paul picks Magomedov but is hesitant, believing the price is too high. He notes Magomedov's poor takedown defense and one eye, and thinks Pereira could mix in takedowns. However, he expects Magomedov to squeak out a close decision, possibly with hometown judging. He prefers the over 1.5 rounds.
The Guru picks Shara via decision, citing his superior kicks, body work, and cardio. He believes Pereira may be regressing and less willing to take risks. He expects Shara to outpoint Pereira over three rounds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zachary Reese | 0 | 74 of 148 | 50% | 81 of 160 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 | 0 | 0:47 |
| Michel Pereira | 0 | 63 of 132 | 47% | 70 of 139 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zachary Reese | 0 | 23 of 51 | 45% | 26 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michel Pereira | 0 | 18 of 40 | 45% | 25 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:42 | |
| 2 | Zachary Reese | 0 | 24 of 44 | 54% | 28 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:44 |
| Michel Pereira | 0 | 22 of 42 | 52% | 22 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 3 | Zachary Reese | 0 | 27 of 53 | 50% | 27 of 55 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Michel Pereira | 0 | 23 of 50 | 46% | 23 of 50 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zachary Reese | 74 of 148 | 50% | 24 of 90 | 30 of 38 | 20 of 20 | 72 of 142 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Michel Pereira | 63 of 132 | 47% | 29 of 75 | 31 of 53 | 3 of 4 | 53 of 119 | 9 of 11 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zachary Reese | 23 of 51 | 45% | 4 of 29 | 8 of 11 | 11 of 11 | 23 of 50 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Michel Pereira | 18 of 40 | 45% | 8 of 21 | 10 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 35 | 2 of 4 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Zachary Reese | 24 of 44 | 54% | 9 of 25 | 11 of 15 | 4 of 4 | 23 of 41 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Michel Pereira | 22 of 42 | 52% | 12 of 25 | 9 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 16 of 35 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 1 | |
| 3 | Zachary Reese | 27 of 53 | 50% | 11 of 36 | 11 of 12 | 5 of 5 | 26 of 51 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Michel Pereira | 23 of 50 | 46% | 9 of 29 | 12 of 18 | 2 of 3 | 22 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Herb Dean is the referee. Pereira lands a hard body kick to begin the main card. Pereira counters a kick with a glancing overhand, but Reese seems to be OK. Pereira jabs the body. Pereira counters another kick with a right hand and Reese goes down. Pereira welcomes Reese back to his feet. Reese lands a body kick. Pereira with a front kick down the middle. Pereira jabs the body. Reese moves in and lands a knee to the body. Reese attempts an inside leg kick, but Herb Dean calls time because it apparently landed low. The crowd isn’t buying it but Pereira takes about a minute. Pereira tries for that same overhand counter following a Reese kick but it’s not as successful as it was earlier. Reese moves in and lands a combination to the body. Reese kicks the body, and Pereira grimaces, as it landed below the belt again. A replay review determines that it was indeed a foul, despite the protests of the fans. Reese lands a kick and they engage in the clinch, with both men swinging wildly during a brief exchange. An errant spinning attack by Reese results in a takedown for Pereira. Reese stands, but Pereira grabs the neck and lands a couple knees on the break. Pereira stabs the body with a front kick. Reese leaps in wildly, but Pereira can’t capitalize. Reese makes his foe stumble with a low kick before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Pereira
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Pereira
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Pereira
Round 2
Reese targets the body with kicks. They clinch, and Pereira lands a pair of hard knees to the gut. They clinch and Pereira lands another knee before pushing Reese to the wire. They separate in short order. Pereira lands a right followed by a knee. Reese had his fingers extended during an exchange, and he poked Pereira in the eye. This results in the third timeout of the fight due to a foul by Reese. No point is taken and the action resumes. Reese quickly lands a takedown in the center of the cage. Reese peppers the Brazilian with left hands from half guard. Reese maintains a body lock as Pereira stands. Reese is busted open. Reese lands a body kick. A counter left freezes Pereira where he stands. Pereira throws a right to the body. Reese moves in and Pereira land a leaping knee. They crash forward, with both men landing in an exchange. Reese is holding his hands low as he lands a right. Pereira jabs the body while avoiding a high kick. Another body kick for Reese. Reese lands a two-punch combination. Reese throws a front kick to the body and Pereira urges him on. Reese just misses with a flying knee. Pereira responds with a rolling somersault kick at the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Reese
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Reese
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Reese
Round 3
Reese opens with a body kick. Pereira throws a push kick to the body. Reese lands a leg kick and is warned to keep his hands closed. Reese attacks the body with another kick. They collide in the clinch and separate. Reese closes distance and lands a knee. Pereira connects with a straight right. A lead leg head kick lands for Reese, as these two keep trading one-off attacks. Reese with a two-punch solid combination. Pereira sticks a jab. Reese kicks the body. Pereira lands a counter right. Reese lands a right uppercut to the body followed by a left hand over the top. Pereira closes the distance and Reese nearly had a choke locked. Periera was a ble to scramble up. That sets the stage for another exchange. Both men land heavy shots initially, but they’re mostly swinging and missing in the waning seconds, save for a Pereira knee down the middle.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Reese (29-28 Reese)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Reese (29-28 Reese)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Reese (29-28 Reese)
The Official Result
Michel Pereira def. Zachary Reese via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) R3 5:00
Angelo picks Michel Pereira despite recent poor form, citing his superior athleticism, speed, wrestling, and training partners. He acknowledges Pereira's mental state is a question mark after a public divorce, but believes the version from 2024 would dominate. He goes with his brain over his gut.
Big Brady picks Zachary Reese to defeat Michel Pereira, but with clear disgust and hesitation. He believes Pereira is washed, citing his terrible performances against Abus Magomedov and a 40-second knockout loss to Kyle Daukaus. He calls the fight 'disgusting' and hopes it gets canceled. He notes Reese is the underdog but feels he has more faith in Reese at this point. He predicts a first-round knockout, reasoning that if Daukaus could KO Pereira, Reese can too.
Cody thinks Pereira's desperation and flashy style will lead to an early finish. He notes Reese's durability issues and poor cardio. He expects Pereira to win by KO or submission in the first round.
Connor picks Pereira despite acknowledging he looks shot. He notes that Pereira has better technique and experience, and that Reese has never beaten a good fighter. He points out that Pereira's creativity and speed could still be enough against a limited opponent like Reese, but admits it's a terrible fight and Pereira could lose if he's truly broken.
The host heavily leans towards Pereira, citing his superior striking, cardio, and ground game compared to Reese. However, he cannot bet Pereira at -155 because of the red flag from Pereira's passive performance against Abus Magomedov, which may indicate decline. He notes that if Pereira shows up and fights to his potential, he wins easily, but the inconsistency makes him unbettable.
James picks Michel Pereira to win by first-round finish, but with hesitation due to Pereira's recent poor performances and questionable chin. He notes that Pereira has far better tools and competition wins, but if he doesn't get an early finish, Reese could take over. James prefers the under 1.5 rounds as a betting angle.
Pereira is on a three-fight losing streak but has faced tough competition and should be motivated to save his roster spot. He is the better fighter on paper with more experience. Reese is dangerous but has durability questions. If Pereira comes back at 80% of his former self, he should find a finish. The under 1.5 rounds is also a good play as both are finishers.
Paul agrees, citing Pereira's ability to finish fights early and Reese's tendency to get knocked out. He thinks Pereira's wrestling is underrated and that he can win on the ground if needed. He expects a first-round finish.
The MMA Guru hesitantly picks Michel Pereira, trusting his ability despite a recent loss to Hernandez. He notes Pereira's cardio issues but thinks he can find Reese's chin. He is unsure due to Pereira's inconsistency but believes Reese's fundamental ability is lacking.
Zane picks Reese as a counter to Connor, arguing that Pereira's confidence is shattered after the Hernandez loss and he has looked terrible in his last two fights. He notes that Reese is dangerous early and that Pereira's recent performances suggest he no longer knows how to fight. He admits it's a terrible fight and that Reese could easily lose, but he's willing to take the chance.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Daukaus | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michel Pereira | 1 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 7 of 12 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyle Daukaus | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michel Pereira | 1 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 7 of 12 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Daukaus | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michel Pereira | 5 of 8 | 62% | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyle Daukaus | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michel Pereira | 5 of 8 | 62% | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The younger Daukaus brother returns to the UFC after a mixed first run in the Octagon followed a second middleweight title win in
Cage Fury Fighting Championships
after his release. Tasked with getting Daukaus’ second stint off to a bad start will be noted Brazilian madman Pereira. The referee on duty is Marc Goddard. Daukaus is southpaw, Pereira orthodox. Daukaus stalks forward and Pereira gives ground. Pereira nails Daukaus with a huge body kick, but he wears it well.
Seconds later, Daukaus clips the onrushing “Demolidor” with a short right hook to the jaw that drops him to his butt. Pereira tries to rally, but Daukaus pounces with a couple of glancing fists, then three jackhammer elbows that spur Goddard into action for the save.
Sensational knockout and a triumphant return for “The D’Arce Knight,” and for those keeping track at home, that makes two sub-minute finishes in the first four fights at UFC Shanghai. Yes, please.
The Official Result
Kyle Daukaus def. Michel Pereira R1 0:43 via KO (Punches and Elbows)
Angelo is very confident in Michel Pereira, calling him an absolute beast with insane athleticism, real power, and solid wrestling and BJJ. He notes that Pereira is a better hammer than nail and that his recent loss was uncharacteristic, partly due to personal life issues. He dismisses Kyle Daukaus as not good at the UFC level despite regional wins, and expects Pereira to beat the brakes off him. He even says if Pereira doesn't win, cut them both.
Big Brady picks Michel Pereira to win by first-round knockout, despite Pereira's recent poor performance against Abus Magomedov. He believes the matchup is favorable for Pereira because Daukaus is hittable and fragile, and Pereira has the striking advantage. He notes that Daukaus will struggle to take Pereira down and that Pereira should finish early with a body shot or flying knee.
Connor also picks Pereira, but with reservations. He notes that Pereira has looked terrible recently and that Daukaus could win by making the fight ugly and clinging to clinches. However, he believes Pereira's athleticism and ability to land elbows in the clinch should carry him. He also points out that Daukaus is not a strong wrestler and tends to gas.
The host acknowledges it's tough to trust Pereira after his last gunshy performance, but thinks he has a good opponent here to show off his power. He notes that Daukaus has crumbled under power before and expects Pereira to find a knockout.
The MMA Guru picks Michel Pereira to win, expecting an easy first-round finish. He believes Pereira is on another level compared to Kyle Daukaus, who is decent but lacks standout ability in any area. He notes that Pereira is much better at striking and moves well, which should carry him past Daukaus. However, he acknowledges that if the fight goes later, Daukaus could find success in the clinch.
Zane picks Michel Pereira, noting that Pereira can 'cheat his way to victory by being an athlete.' He acknowledges that Pereira has looked shot recently and that Daukaus could make it ugly with clinch work, but believes Pereira's athleticism and striking should be enough to win. He also notes that Daukaus is not a good wrestler and tends to self-destruct.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michel Pereira | 0 | 73 of 168 | 43% | 74 of 169 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Abusupiyan Magomedov | 0 | 78 of 134 | 58% | 83 of 140 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:01 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michel Pereira | 0 | 7 of 20 | 35% | 7 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Abusupiyan Magomedov | 0 | 18 of 31 | 58% | 23 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:52 | |
| 2 | Michel Pereira | 0 | 25 of 58 | 43% | 26 of 59 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 |
| Abusupiyan Magomedov | 0 | 24 of 46 | 52% | 24 of 46 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 | |
| 3 | Michel Pereira | 0 | 41 of 90 | 45% | 41 of 90 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Abusupiyan Magomedov | 0 | 36 of 57 | 63% | 36 of 57 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michel Pereira | 73 of 168 | 43% | 27 of 90 | 27 of 50 | 19 of 28 | 72 of 166 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Abusupiyan Magomedov | 78 of 134 | 58% | 53 of 99 | 19 of 29 | 6 of 6 | 72 of 128 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michel Pereira | 7 of 20 | 35% | 0 of 4 | 4 of 9 | 3 of 7 | 7 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Abusupiyan Magomedov | 18 of 31 | 58% | 10 of 23 | 5 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 13 of 26 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | |
| 2 | Michel Pereira | 25 of 58 | 43% | 7 of 28 | 8 of 17 | 10 of 13 | 25 of 58 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Abusupiyan Magomedov | 24 of 46 | 52% | 14 of 30 | 8 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 24 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Michel Pereira | 41 of 90 | 45% | 20 of 58 | 15 of 24 | 6 of 8 | 40 of 88 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Abusupiyan Magomedov | 36 of 57 | 63% | 29 of 46 | 6 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 35 of 56 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pereira (-155), Magomedov (+130)
Round 1
This next middleweight affair could shape up to be a wild one before the dust settles. While he has scaled back on some of the antics that cost him wins in the past, Pereira (31-12, 2 NC; 9-3 UFC) is still unafraid to hit a back flip mid-fight even if landing on opponent with stomping feet is illegal. Who needs rules in a sport like this. Russian-born German knockout artist Magomedov (27-6-1, 3-2 UFC) is the much more composed of the two, but is no less dangerous. Referee Nick Berens will need to be on high alert until the conclusion of the bout, one that kicks off with a glove touch. Magomedov stabs out with a long kick to start things off, and Berens warns both fighters for outstretched fingers…and they don’t listen. Magomedov pitches out a front kick that goes wide, and Pereira swipes at his foe’s midsection only to be out of range. Pereira does get in with a left hand, and he is out of range before a counter finds him. Pereira jabs the body with a kick and has his guard raised to block an overhand right, and Magomedov puts on heavy pressure while leading with his front kick. Magomedov kicks the side with the same foot, and he lunges in behind two right hands that brush the Brazilian’s beard. Magomedov nails Pereira with a left hand, who stumbles and needs a second to gather his thoughts. Magomedov is not giving him that second, instead blasting “Demolidor” with a head kick. Pereira takes it somehow and rebounds to jab the body, but his legs might not be fully beneath him yet. Pereira gets backed to the fence, and he ducks an overhand right but falls to his back when Magomedov easily takes him down. Magomedov unloads with left hands and an elbow, and Pereira explodes to his feet. Magomedov hangs on from behind like an angry seatbelt, smacking Pereira upside the head until he climbs on the back and wraps his hooks around the waist. Magomedov releases the grip when he cannot locate the body triangle, and Pereira recognizes this is his moment to move and he moves with a spinning back elbow. Magomedov ignores it and loads up with two overhand rights, unconcerned about anything aimed his direction. Pereira stays on his bike, avoiding exchanges when he can while not committing to much on his own side. He gets off one front kick, and Magomedov strikes back with a right hand and a head kick to end the tepid round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Round 2
The middleweights bump fists to get going again, and Pereira does land first this time in the form of a low kick. He gets right back on his bike, entirely uncharacteristic for him as he typically presents far more aggressively. Pereira pulls back when thinking about throwing punches, and he is stuck in first gear while Magomedov can do anything. Magomedov jabs the body with his foot—it is not that Magomedov is putting a beating on Pereira, but he is nullifying the Brazilian to a surprising degree. Magomedov eats a knee coming in when shooting for a takedown, and Pereira tosses him aside and strikes with a single front kick. Magomedov gets back to chasing Pereira around, wrapping a right hand around the guard and ignoring a jab to the body coming his way. Pereira’s two punches land harmlessly on the chin, and he barely manages to avoid a booming uppercut and ties Magomedov up in a clinch. When Magomedov is going to use it against him, Pereira releases his grip and backs away. Pereira uses alternating front kicks to stay away, mixing in a few jabs. The crowd is not overly amused by the lack of engagement from the two, with Magomedov winning but not blowing him out of the water. The pace is slow and non-threatening, with Pereira fighting like someone afraid to run out of gas. Unfortunately for him, fighting while backing away is tiring as well. Pereira jabs a few times, and when he gets pushed back with a front kick, he meets Magomedov with the same strike. Pereira sticks out punches, and his front kick lands on the body. Even with volume now on his side, power is minimal and the lack of effective offense disappoints those in attendance and watching live. The less-than-stellar round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Round 3
The two men hug to start the last round, and the crowd showers them in boos. They answer the call with a simultaneous punch, and Magomedov recovers first and goes to the head and body with a few more punches. Pereira picks things up a little, swinging harder and actually putting some mustard in his fists. Pereira rips a left to the body, and Magomedov kicks his front leg in response. Pereira goes to the body again, and the long jab from Magomedov connects cleanly. Pereira tosses out a high kick that lightly bumps into the shoulder, and his left hooks are out of range. The fans, so frustrated with the match thus far, start taking out their phones and light up their screens while waving them around. Little changes inside the Octagon when they do this, other than a hard right hand and a knee to the body from Pereira. Magomedov drops down for a level change, and Pereira times a knee on the chin that is questionably legal as to whether a knee was down. It is ultimately immaterial, and the chanting made famous from Atlanta Braves fans and coopted by the Kansas City Chiefs faithful serenades everyone listening. Magomedov is irritated by the body work that Pereira has done this round, and he wings a pair of right hands that shake Pereira up. Pereira takes time to recover, and Magomedov allows him to do this as he appears to not have enough in the tank to do more. When Pereira jams a knee to his midsection, Magomedov suddenly looks totally out of steam. Magomedov’s kicks and punches are labored, with Pereira’s much heavier. Magomedov shoots from afar for a takedown with a minute to go, and Pereira pulls him back to his feet so he can score a knee. The Russian nails Pereira with a left hook, and Pereira wobbles but does not go down. Magomedov smacks Pereira upside the head with clean left hands, and Pereira is knocked around but throws back. With seconds to go, Pereira ramps things up, but it is far too late for anything to come from it. The huge bummer of a 15-minute slog is now in the books, and it is time to move on to the next fight.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (30-27 Magomedov)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (30-27 Magomedov)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (30-27 Magomedov)
The Official Result
Abusupiyan Magomedov def. Michel Pereira via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo picks Michel Pereira, believing his athleticism and power will overwhelm Abusupiyan Magomedov. He notes that Abus is hittable and Pereira hits hard, and that Pereira should replicate Bruno Ferreira's success but without letting up. He is more confident now than in his initial breakdown, though he cautions about Pereira's cardio.
Big Brady picks Michel Pereira, dismissing his loss to Anthony Hernandez as irrelevant since Hernandez would do the same to Magomedov. He criticizes Magomedov's poor cardio and durability, noting he slows down after the first round. He expects Pereira to win by knockout, possibly in the second round.
Connor picks Pereira because he is a much more evolved and athletic fighter compared to Magomedov, who has a limited game based on a one-two and top control. Pereira has shown growth and patience, and his speed and power will be too much for Magomedov's robotic striking. Connor notes that Magomedov's wins have aged poorly and he has been exposed by any decent fighter.
The host likes Pereira's explosivity, athleticism, and power to shut down Magomedov's grappling, and expects Pereira to force a break and get a second or third round TKO.
The MMA Guru picks Abusupiyan Magomedov as an underdog. He criticizes Pereira's cardio and lack of MMA training, saying he gasses if he doesn't finish early. He notes Magomedov's improvements in grappling and cardio, and his reach advantage. He expects Magomedov to weather Pereira's early storm and win a decision, possibly chopping up Pereira's leg.
Zane picks Pereira, emphasizing that Magomedov's game is one-dimensional and relies on size and pressure. Once a fighter is good enough to test him, Magomedov falls apart. Pereira has the speed and skill to counter Magomedov's takedowns and striking. Zane also notes that Magomedov's losses have aged well but his wins have not, and he is essentially a 'quadruple A' fighter.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Hernandez | 0 | 152 of 212 | 71% | 219 of 293 | 10 of 29 | 34% | 0 | 0 | 15:42 |
| Michel Pereira | 0 | 24 of 53 | 45% | 29 of 62 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 1 | 1 | 0:56 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anthony Hernandez | 0 | 27 of 52 | 51% | 30 of 55 | 1 of 8 | 12% | 0 | 0 | 1:25 |
| Michel Pereira | 0 | 15 of 34 | 44% | 17 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:19 | |
| 2 | Anthony Hernandez | 0 | 30 of 47 | 63% | 47 of 68 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 3:18 |
| Michel Pereira | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 0:35 | |
| 3 | Anthony Hernandez | 0 | 44 of 55 | 80% | 64 of 77 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 4:17 |
| Michel Pereira | 0 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Anthony Hernandez | 0 | 29 of 35 | 82% | 48 of 62 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:35 |
| Michel Pereira | 0 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 5 of 9 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 5 | Anthony Hernandez | 0 | 22 of 23 | 95% | 30 of 31 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 2:07 |
| Michel Pereira | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Hernandez | 152 of 212 | 71% | 125 of 182 | 22 of 24 | 5 of 6 | 43 of 81 | 12 of 14 | 97 of 117 |
| Michel Pereira | 24 of 53 | 45% | 8 of 27 | 16 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 45 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anthony Hernandez | 27 of 52 | 51% | 20 of 42 | 5 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 17 of 40 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 7 |
| Michel Pereira | 15 of 34 | 44% | 7 of 19 | 8 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 28 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Anthony Hernandez | 30 of 47 | 63% | 25 of 42 | 4 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 21 of 31 |
| Michel Pereira | 2 of 7 | 28% | 0 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Anthony Hernandez | 44 of 55 | 80% | 31 of 42 | 11 of 11 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 15 | 4 of 4 | 32 of 36 |
| Michel Pereira | 3 of 8 | 37% | 1 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Anthony Hernandez | 29 of 35 | 82% | 28 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 21 of 26 |
| Michel Pereira | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Anthony Hernandez | 22 of 23 | 95% | 21 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 17 |
| Michel Pereira | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Hernandez (-135), Pereira (+114)
Round 1
Much like last week, the UFC put on an event with an alright lineup on paper and what looks like an absolute thriller in the main attraction. At UFC Fight Night 244, Brandon Royval and Tatsuro Taira threw down in a “Fight of the Year” candidate, and the promotion is trotting out another matchup that could deliver bonkers action before it is said and done. Streaking middleweights go at it for five rounds to push to the next echelon of the weight class, and oddsmakers do not expect this one will go the distance. Winner of five straight with four stoppages, Hernandez (12-2, 1 NC; 6-2 UFC) keeps passing tests with flying colors, while high-flying Brazilian Pereira (31-11, 2 NC; 9-2 UFC) is a buzzsaw destroying anyone he meets at the new weight class. Referee Herb Dean draws the charge for the main attraction, and he brings the two together to touch gloves and seal the cage. It’s on with the show. Hernandez advances but is quickly met by a swarming Pereira, who swats at him with two jabs and a left hand. Hernandez slips out of the way, and when walking forward again, he is stabbed in the body with a powerful front kick that appears to hurt him. Pereira marches forward to continue working the body, and Hernandez grimaces and leans against the cage. Pereira tries to finish the job with a torrid salvo of strikes, and Hernandez toughs it out, bounces off the cage and wings a right hand to keep his man honest. Pereira backs off, kicks him in the ribs, and retreats. Hernandez marches the Brazilian down, slugging him to set up a takedown attempt. Hernandez reaches his foe with a right hand, and one of pieces of ear tape falls off. Hernandez spins with a wheel kick that glances off the guard, and his pressure makes Pereira retreat. Pereira gets pushed against the wall, turns about and comes out swinging. Hernandez has a spinning back kick land flush in close range, and he punches his way into a single-leg entry. Hernandez falls to his back as he tries to complete the takedown, and he stands back up before Pereira can make him pay for the attempt. Pereira checks a kick and digs a left to the liver, and he defends a shot with an effective sprawl and avoids a looping right. Pereira sets up a Thai clinch to knee his man repeatedly, and Hernandez punches his way out of it and backs Pereira up once more. Hernandez leans on Pereira against the fencing, and he surprises “Demolidor” with a spinning back elbow. Hernandez uses the close range to rip Pereira off his feet with a body lock and a trip, landing on top in a modified half guard. Hernandez sits and stands to land a bit of ground-and-pound, with the horn breaking them up.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Round 2
A fist bump leads to Hernandez jabbing and shooting in on the hips for a takedown. Pereira defends against it to break out of the attempt, and he pushes off and grazes Pereira’s eye with a swipe of his finger. Dean sternly warns Hernandez for the foul, and Pereira takes 30 seconds before he is ready to return. Hernandez reintroduces himself with a spinning back kick to the leg, and he punches high to shoot in low. Pereira sprawls successfully, getting pushed to the wall and turning his man about to escape. Pereira prepares for the takedown that will inevitably come by snatching hold of a guillotine choke as Hernandez shoots. Pereira uses the submission to briefly assume mount, and Hernandez worms his way out to claim top position. Hernandez opens up with ground-and-pound, smacking Pereira with his free left hand. “Fluffy” shuts down Pereira’s bucks and movements to get out, and he takes advantage of a moment to take Pereira’s back and set up an arm-triangle choke. The Brazilian wildly turns through the submission and fights back to his feet. Hernandez chases after him, grabbing hold of Pereira with a double and dumping him to the mat. Hernandez controls Pereira, imposing his weight on him while Pereira stands. When Pereira does get back up, Hernandez puts a hole on his morale by hitting a double. Pereira defends from a submission, sitting up to absorb punches, and Hernandez tries another guillotine. Pereira protects his neck once more, and Hernandez stands up and knees him in the chest. Hernandez follows a rolling, grounded Pereira with big right hands, and he opens up with elbows. The horn sounds while Hernandez is laying into him, and he helps Pereira up to his feet.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Round 3
There is a touch of gloves to get going, with Pereira on full defense mode thanks to his corner telling him to take the round off to recover. Hernandez leads off with a takedown shot, and he drags Pereira down from his side. The Brazilian bursts back to his feet, and Hernandez clips him with short but effective punches until Pereira circles away. Hernandez shoots and is stuffed, leading to Hernandez going deep on the hips with a double. When that fails, he pursues a body lock, and Pereira pushes him away and wants to set up a Thai clinch to knee Hernandez in the face. Hernandez uses that clinch to jam Pereira up instead, and he hits a double and climbs into half guard. Pereira is quick to turn to his side in an effort to escape, but Hernandez easily thwarts that and pounds on the Brazilian. Hernandez grinds with elbows, and he steps over to the side and right into mount. Pereira times the push off the hips to stop Hernandez from getting dominant position for long, so Hernandez drops down a hearty elbow on his jaw. Hernandez attacks an arm-triangle choke, and he allows Pereira to turn to his side so he can further lock it down. Pereira grits out the choke and is punched in the back of the head, and Hernandez adjusts his trajectory while Pereira returns to a knee. Hernandez elbows his man in the side repeatedly to further take wind out of his sails, kneeing the other side as Pereira is stuck clinging to Hernandez’ left wrist. Hernandez paints Pereira’s face with his fists until the horn sounds, and Pereira has somehow reached the championship rounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Hernandez
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Hernandez
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-8 Hernandez
Round 4
The tired fighters clap hands to get going, and Hernandez wastes little time to shoot in for a takedown. Pereira remains upright, with Hernandez pushing him to the wire but not able to ground him. Pereira breaks free and times an uppercut, and he kicks the body and eats a right hand. Hernandez hits a takedown even with a knee landing on his jaw, and he begins to smother the Brazilian some more. Pereira leans to his side to not be flattened out in either way, and Hernandez measures him with elbows while smacking him with free right hands. Pereira turns over to his knees to stand back to his feet, and he celebrates a moral victory by stopping a subsequent trip attempt. Hernandez gingerly sets him down, and he uses his body weight to shove Pereira to his seat. Hernandez opens up with elbow after elbow, and he chains several punches together to force Pereira to turn over and put his head on the mat. Hernandez holds on from the side, finding one serious undercut before Pereira gets to a knee. Even totally wiped out, Pereira manages to get back to his feet once more. Hernandez pursues a double and plants Pereira flat on his back, taking to half guard and framing off to drill the Brazilian with hammerfists. Hernandez’ blows begin to get louder and heavier, and Dean watches on closely but is not ready to intervene just yet. Dean asks Pereira to fight back, and Pereira somehow wills himself back to his feet miraculously. Hernandez spins with an elbow, and Pereira is barely able to stand up but is throwing hands. Pereira shoots for a single, and Hernandez easily lowers him to the mat. The round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Round 5
The middleweights hug it out as they have gotten through 20 minutes of combat, and Hernandez wants nothing more than to drag the fight to his world. Pereira survives the first attempt, and hits his hands and knees on the second. Pereira wrenches his way upright despite a record number of takedown attempts at middleweight put on him. Hernandez goes for one more and digs deep to scoop Pereira off his feet and dump on him on his backside. Hernandez moves to half guard rather than side control so he can establish more control, and he sharpens his elbow and slashes it down like a horror movie villain to spilt Pereira’s eyebrow wide open. Blood is soon to flow, and he turns over to halt the bludgeoning. Dean calls for Pereira to fight back, and Hernandez seizes his moment, knowing that he does not need much more to get a stoppage. “Fluffy” lets his man have it with a final salvo of elbows, finishing the job and further extending his impressive win streak. Dean waves them off, and Pereira appears to still want to continue fighting as he doggedly clings to Hernandez’ leg until Dean lets him know the fight is over. This performance will likely hurl the Californian to new heights, and he admits he does not know the roster well enough to know a proper name to call out. Instead, he asks the UFC brass to give him a title eliminator, believing he needs one more win to get a crack at gold. There will be a wealth of options at his disposal, and most names in the top 10 are fresh matchups for him. When he takes on his next challenge, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.
The Official Result
Anthony Hernandez def. Michel Pereira R5 2:22 via TKO (Elbows)
Angelo picks Michel Pereira as an underdog, having bet on him at +135. He believes Pereira's athleticism, power, and grappling are too much for Anthony Hernandez, whose only path to victory is grappling. He thinks Pereira is the more dynamic and dangerous fighter, and that Hernandez cannot out-strike him. He notes Pereira's recent success at middleweight and dismisses cardio concerns, saying Pereira has shown he can maintain pace. He is confident Pereira wins.
Big Brady picks Anthony Hernandez by third-round submission. He sees it as Pereira early, Hernandez late. Pereira has three quick wins but gasses; Hernandez has great cardio and grappling. If Hernandez survives the first five to seven minutes, he will take over, take Pereira down, and finish him in the third round. He mentions a good live bet spot.
Connor picks Hernandez, comparing his style to a larger, more skilled Tristan Connelly who will make Pereira pay for every bad decision. He notes that Hernandez's pace and pressure grappling are exactly the kind of game that troubled Pereira in the past. However, he acknowledges that Hernandez might get knocked out early, as he has been hurt in many of his recent wins.
Lucrative James believes Fluffy Hernandez will overwhelm Sean Strickland with constant forward pressure, takedown attempts, and volume. He notes that Strickland struggles when opponents don't let him establish his jab and one-two rhythm. James predicts Hernandez will win a decision by outworking Strickland over five rounds.
Pereira will be dangerous in the opening five minutes, but Hernandez has done a great job wearing opponents down, keeping them in the clinch, taking them down, and utilizing submission attempts. Hernandez will wear Pereira down and get a finish in the third or fourth round.
The Guru picks Pereira despite acknowledging Hernandez's grappling skills. He believes Pereira's athleticism, power, and body work will be too much, predicting an early finish by TKO or submission. He notes Pereira has finished all his middleweight opponents quickly and envisions Pereira stuffing a takedown, landing knees to the body, and getting a guillotine or rear-naked choke.
Zane picks Pereira because of his insane speed at middleweight, which he believes Hernandez will not be ready for. He acknowledges that if Hernandez survives the early onslaught, he will likely take over with pressure and grappling, but Zane trusts Pereira's athleticism to get the job done early. He notes that Pereira has learned to pace himself after the Tristan Connelly loss, but still has that loss in him.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michel Pereira | 0 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Ihor Potieria | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michel Pereira | 0 | 6 of 10 | 60% | 6 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Ihor Potieria | 0 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michel Pereira | 6 of 10 | 60% | 4 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
| Ihor Potieria | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michel Pereira | 6 of 10 | 60% | 4 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
| Ihor Potieria | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pereira (-535), Potieria (+400)
Round 1
Keeping the action pushing, surging wild man Pereira (30-11, 2 NC; 8-2 UFC) is ready to push his win streak to eight at the expense of struggling Ukrainian Potieria (20-5, 2-3 UFC). Since moving to middleweight, Pereira has appeared to have leveled up, while Potieria also shows that changing gears to 185 pounds did him some good. Referee Fernando Portella will see who makes it out of this encounter, and before it begins, the fighters sternly bump fists together. Pereira hops from side to side, his hands not particularly high, and he ignores a low kick coming his way to jab the body and follow it with a straight punch to the same target. Potieria retaliates with a slapping leg kick, and Pereira leaps at him with a straight right hand that knocks Potieria off his feet. The maniac Brazilian back flips and lands with his knee on Potieria, which is an illegal blow as Potieria is grounded. Nevertheless, Portella stands back, marveling at the move pulled off before his eyes. Pereira decides to latch onto a guillotine choke, and he allows Potieria to stand up and wrench the neck on the way up. Pereira squeezes with all his might, and “The Duelist” frantically taps out. As Pereira releases the grip, Potieria falls to his back, completely unconscious. Before Portella can reach him, Potieria’s head clatters lifelessly off the canvas. Pereira solemnly walks away, until he sees that Potieria has regained consciousness, and he starts dancing to celebrate. Meanwhile, commission officials speak to UFC brass about the foul, determining whether or not it impacted the result and if Pereira should be penalized for it. Given the nature of the strike, a disqualification is not off the table--although Portella did not call the foul during the action, so that may be unlikely--and a post-fight review might also find another result.
The Official Result
Michel Pereira def. Ihor Potieria R1 0:54 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)
Angelo is confident in Pereira, citing his speed, power, creativity, and grappling. He notes Potieria is a technical striker but hittable and with poor takedown defense. He expects Pereira to win by finish.
Big Brady is high on Pereira's middleweight resurgence, noting his two quick finishes. He views Potieria as a step down and believes Pereira will knock him out in the first round, possibly mid to late.
Cody picks Pereira, noting his improved fight IQ, cardio, and well-roundedness at middleweight. He believes Potieria is a one-dimensional knockout artist with poor durability and cardio. Cody expects Pereira to win, likely by knockout.
Daniel Vreeland agrees with Jeff Fox on Michel Pereira. He notes that Pereira has chilled out his wild style since gassing out against Tristan Connelly, and has been on a seven-fight winning streak. Vreeland thinks Pereira will win easily, though he doesn't elaborate on a specific method. He later mentions that Pereira's submission prop has moved from +650 to +370, indicating the books are aware of his submission threat.
Daniel Vreeland leans with Pereira but considers it a dog-or-pass situation. He acknowledges Potieria's recent improvements, including better cardio and confidence, but believes Pereira's top-15 trajectory and finishing ability give him the edge. He suggests that Pereira's decision prop at +550 might be a better value than the moneyline, as Potieria could last the distance.
Jeff Fox is very confident in Michel Pereira, calling him a 'demolisher' and noting his seven-fight winning streak since two losses. Fox explains that one loss was due to an illegal knee against Diego Sanchez, and the other was a short-notice grappling loss to Tristan Connelly. Since then, Pereira has been more measured and finished opponents like Andre Petroski. Fox believes Potieria is not UFC caliber, with wins only over aged fighters like Shogun. He expects Pereira to do whatever he wants, and later in the show he picks Pereira by submission for the Hungry Man parlay.
Pereira is on a crazy run, harnessing his big striking power over 15 minutes. His speed and power advantage will be enough to find Potieria's chin and put him out clean.
Paul picks Pereira, highlighting his 8-2 UFC record, athleticism, and evolution into a winning style. He dismisses Potieria's chances, citing his poor durability, cardio, and ground game. Paul sees Pereira as a rightful favorite.
The MMA Guru picks Michel Pereira, praising his skills at middleweight and noting that welterweights often make better middleweights. He highlights Pereira's wins over Andre Petroski and Maxime Gremont, and predicts a first-round rear-naked choke. He criticizes Potieria's record and recent performances, including a loss to Shogun Rua.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michel Pereira | 0 | 11 of 15 | 73% | 11 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michel Pereira | 0 | 11 of 15 | 73% | 11 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michel Pereira | 11 of 15 | 73% | 5 of 9 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michel Pereira | 11 of 15 | 73% | 5 of 9 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pereira (-148), Oleksiejczuk (+124)
Round 1
A casual observer might look at this battle of Michel vs. Michal and not immediately know which one competed at light heavyweight recently. By the size of Pereira (29-11, 2 NC; 7-2 UFC), he does not look like the kind of person that made welterweight in 2022. On the other hand, Oleksiejczuk (19-6, 1 NC; 7-4, 1 NC UFC) appears well-suited for his newer, lighter weight class, and his knockout last year over Chidi Njokuani shines on his ledger. Pereira is psyched to compete in Miami, and he brings his cousin with him to do a synchronized, choreographed dance before walking out. This potentially wild 185-pound affair will be officiated by referee Dan Miragliotta, and there is a quick glove touch from the competitors to get it going. Pereira hops back and forth, changing stances, and he dodges a right hand and rips two kicks to the body. Oleksiejczuk goes over the top with a right hook, and Pereira backs off and skirts to the side. Pereira lands two speedy punches before springing to the side, and he drives a right hand on the solar plexus and hurts Oleksiejczuk. Oleksiejczuk backs off to the fence, bent over but trying to remain on his feet, and Pereira charges at him and knees him twice in the same spot to buckle the Polish fighter’s knees.
Oleksiejczuk slumps to the ground, and Pereira leaps around to take his back and grab hold of a rear-naked choke without even bothering to get a hook in. The Brazilian locks down the choke and his forearm slides beneath the chin, and he squeezes with all his might. Oleksiejczuk does not once consider tapping, and he fades into unconsciousness as the submission puts him all the way out.
Miragliotta pulls them apart when recognizing Oleksiejczuk is out cold, and Pereira rushes to the center of the cage and breakdances to celebrate. What a performance for Pereira, who has now won seven in a row and may soon be a contender at his new weight class of middleweight.
The Official Result
Michel Pereira def. Michal Oleksiejczuk R1 1:01 via Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
Angelo picks Michel Pereira, citing his better cardio, power, and grappling. He notes Oleksiejczuk has a great chin but can fade. He has a half-unit bet on Pereira at -130, but keeps it small because Oleksiejczuk could survive early and outpoint him.
Big Brady picks Michał Oleksiejczuk to win by decision. He notes that while Pereira has a BJJ black belt, he doesn't wrestle often and lacks the cardio to grapple for 15 minutes. He expects the fight to stay on the feet, where Oleksiejczuk's forward pressure, body work, and volume will wear down Pereira and win the later rounds.
Cody notes that Pereira has matured and now fights more conservatively, using his accuracy and wrestling. He thinks Oleksiejczuk is a reckless brawler with poor takedown defense, and Pereira will counter him and mix in takedowns to win a decision.
Oleksiejczuk has great durability and forward pressure, marching forward and breaking opponents with his boxing. He has eaten clean shots and continued to push. Pereira is dangerous early with his unorthodox power, but Oleksiejczuk's durability should allow him to weather the early storm. As the fight goes on, Oleksiejczuk will start to catch Pereira, coral him against the cage, and land combinations. I expect Oleksiejczuk to get a finish in the second or third round, possibly by knockout.
Paul agrees, highlighting Pereira's improved fight IQ and the fact that he looked great at 185. He thinks Oleksiejczuk's wrestling is exploitable and that Pereira has multiple ways to win.
The MMA Guru picks Michał Oleksiejczuk, citing concerns about Michel Pereira's finishing ability and cardio. He notes Pereira failed to finish chinny fighters like Andre Fialho and Nico Price, and that Oleksiejczuk is extremely tough and has power. He predicts Oleksiejczuk will pressure Pereira, take him down, and finish with a body shot TKO in round two.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michel Pereira | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andre Petroski | 1 | 6 of 18 | 33% | 6 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michel Pereira | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andre Petroski | 1 | 6 of 18 | 33% | 6 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michel Pereira | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andre Petroski | 6 of 18 | 33% | 5 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 12 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michel Pereira | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andre Petroski | 6 of 18 | 33% | 5 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 12 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Pereira (-180), Petroski (+150)
Round 1
Action shifts to the middleweight division, where Pereira (28-11, 6-2 UFC) takes on Andrei Petroski (10-1, 5-0 UFC) in one of the more anticipated bouts on the card. Petroski fills in for Marc-Andre Barriault on short notice. Tognoni steps up to preside over the match. Petroski takes the center of the cage, with his Brazilian counterpart bouncing on the balls of his feet. Pereira using stance switches and feints to keep him guessing.
Pereira floors him with a thudding right hand and buries him with standing-to-ground punches. Petroski never intelligently defended himself once the barrage started
.
The Official Result
Michel Pereira def. Andre Petroski—TKO (Punches) 1:06 R1
Angelo is confident in Michel Pereira due to Petroski stepping up on short notice with questionable cardio. He notes Pereira is taller, has decent cardio, and is the busier fighter. He thinks Petroski's cardio issues will be exacerbated by the short notice, and Pereira should win.
Big Brady picks Andre Petroski to win by third-round TKO. He notes Pereira has only fought strikers and lost to grappler Tristan Connelly, while Petroski is a big middleweight with strong grappling. He expects both to tire, but Petroski's cardio holds up and he gets a late finish.
Cody picks Pereira, emphasizing his excellent takedown defense and the fact that Petroski relies heavily on takedowns. He notes that Petroski gasses out and that judges are now scoring damage and volume over control time. Cody believes Pereira's striking and cardio advantage will carry him, and that Petroski's path to victory is narrow.
The host picks Michel Pereira but is queasy about the minus 220 price due to Petroski's early grappling danger. He expects violence and a late stoppage, specifically a third-round knockout by Pereira. He suggests the under as a better bet if the price is right.
Paul picks Pereira, citing his takedown defense (92% in UFC) and improved fight IQ. He notes that Pereira has stopped doing reckless moves and is fighting more fundamentally. Paul believes Pereira's cardio will be better at 185 lbs and that he can stuff Petroski's takedowns and out-strike him. He acknowledges the price (-200) is steep but thinks Pereira wins.
The MMA Guru picks Michel Pereira to win by TKO over Andre Petroski. He argues that welterweights moving up to middleweight are technically better, citing examples. He criticizes Petroski's last performance against Gerald Meerschaert, saying he looked terrible and took heavy damage. He notes Petroski is fighting on short notice (8 weeks after a war) and doesn't trust his cardio. He believes Pereira has a massive striking advantage and explosive hips to get back up if taken down.
Expert Picks (10)
Angelo picks Michel Pereira despite recent poor form, citing his superior athleticism, speed, wrestling, and training partners. He acknowledges Pereira's mental state is a question mark after a public divorce, but believes the version from 2024 would dominate. He goes with his brain over his gut.
Big Brady picks Zachary Reese to defeat Michel Pereira, but with clear disgust and hesitation. He believes Pereira is washed, citing his terrible performances against Abus Magomedov and a 40-second knockout loss to Kyle Daukaus. He calls the fight 'disgusting' and hopes it gets canceled. He notes Reese is the underdog but feels he has more faith in Reese at this point. He predicts a first-round knockout, reasoning that if Daukaus could KO Pereira, Reese can too.
Cody thinks Pereira's desperation and flashy style will lead to an early finish. He notes Reese's durability issues and poor cardio. He expects Pereira to win by KO or submission in the first round.
Connor picks Pereira despite acknowledging he looks shot. He notes that Pereira has better technique and experience, and that Reese has never beaten a good fighter. He points out that Pereira's creativity and speed could still be enough against a limited opponent like Reese, but admits it's a terrible fight and Pereira could lose if he's truly broken.
The host heavily leans towards Pereira, citing his superior striking, cardio, and ground game compared to Reese. However, he cannot bet Pereira at -155 because of the red flag from Pereira's passive performance against Abus Magomedov, which may indicate decline. He notes that if Pereira shows up and fights to his potential, he wins easily, but the inconsistency makes him unbettable.
James picks Michel Pereira to win by first-round finish, but with hesitation due to Pereira's recent poor performances and questionable chin. He notes that Pereira has far better tools and competition wins, but if he doesn't get an early finish, Reese could take over. James prefers the under 1.5 rounds as a betting angle.
Pereira is on a three-fight losing streak but has faced tough competition and should be motivated to save his roster spot. He is the better fighter on paper with more experience. Reese is dangerous but has durability questions. If Pereira comes back at 80% of his former self, he should find a finish. The under 1.5 rounds is also a good play as both are finishers.
Paul agrees, citing Pereira's ability to finish fights early and Reese's tendency to get knocked out. He thinks Pereira's wrestling is underrated and that he can win on the ground if needed. He expects a first-round finish.
The MMA Guru hesitantly picks Michel Pereira, trusting his ability despite a recent loss to Hernandez. He notes Pereira's cardio issues but thinks he can find Reese's chin. He is unsure due to Pereira's inconsistency but believes Reese's fundamental ability is lacking.
Zane picks Reese as a counter to Connor, arguing that Pereira's confidence is shattered after the Hernandez loss and he has looked terrible in his last two fights. He notes that Reese is dangerous early and that Pereira's recent performances suggest he no longer knows how to fight. He admits it's a terrible fight and that Reese could easily lose, but he's willing to take the chance.
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