Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC
One of the UFC’s most absurdly exciting performers is set for his return to the cage against Chechnya’s Zelim Imadaev.
Michel Pereira has only been in the UFC for a year. He’s only officially won one of the three bouts he’s had inside the Octagon. But, already the Brazilian has made a serious impact with fans, based on his high-flying antics and wild fighting style.
The 27-year-old ‘Demolidor’ has built his reputation as an all-action wild man in the cage, performing flips, springing off walls, and throwing just about anything at any time. However, following an ugly decision loss to lightweight Tristan Connelly, and a DQ due to an illegal knee against Diego Sanchez, it was worth wondering if the UFC might just wash their hands of the former Serbian Battle Championship title holder.
Fortunately it looks like that won’t be the case, at least for now. ESPN first reported the news that Pereira will be facing Chechnya’s Zelim Imadaev at the UFC Fight Night card set for Las Vegas, NV on September 5th, MMA Junkie has since confirmed the booking.
Imadaev (8-2) will enter the bout off a pair of losses. The former Fight Nights Global prospect hit the UFC with an unbeaten record, but has struggled to find footing on the international stage—dropping bouts to both Max Griffin and Danny Roberts. With a record of 23 wins and 11 losses, Pereira won’t be any kind of step back in terms of experienced competition, but both men clearly have a lot to prove when it comes to showing a consistent winning game plan against better competition.
While the location of the September show may be subject to change due to the ongoing pandemic, the current plan appears to be to host the card at the UFC Apex facility. A heavyweight fight between Alistair Overeem and Augusto Sakai has been penciled in for the evening’s main event.