Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC
Michel Pereira promises somersaults and fireworks against Diego Sanchez at UFC Fight Night 167.
Michel Pereira will be looking to wow fans at UFC Fight Night 167, as the Brazilian dynamo has promised to put on a show against Diego Sanchez to make up for his somewhat lackluster decision loss to Tristan Connelly at UFC Fight Night 158.
Speaking to MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz in a recent interview, Pereira, who scored a sensational flying knee knockout of Danny Roberts in his UFC debut, has promised even more somersaults and acrobatics against MMA veteran Sanchez.
“I’ll do it,” Pereira said with a laugh during an interview with MMA Fighting. “I’ve been criticized ever since I got in the UFC. It’s not something normal to see, not everyone does that, but this is my style. To me, it’s like throwing a jab. I’ll do it. Get ready for a show.”
Pereira is excited to be fighting a Hall-of-Famer so early in his UFC career but the 26-year-old certainly won’t be starstruck when the cage door closes on Feb. 15.
“This guy has a history in the UFC, fans love him, (and) he’s done great fights,” Pereira said. “It’s only my third fight in the UFC and I’m getting a big name like him. This is very important for my career. I’m glad to be fighting him. He’s done great things in MMA and I’m sure we’ll put on a show for the MMA fans.
“I never thought about fighting him, but the opportunity came. I’ll fight him like I’m fighting any other athlete. I wasn’t surprised or thinking, ‘wow, it’s Diego Sanchez.’ It’s just another fight for me. His time has passed. It’s my time now. New generation.”
UFC Fight Night 167, which will feature Sanchez vs. Pereira on the main card, takes place next year, February 15 at he Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.