Tag: Michel Pereira

Rising UFC welterweight Michel Pereira was stopped by Las Vegas police earlier this year for Driving Under the Influence, he revealed to MMA Fighting.

Pereira, who fights Santiago Ponzinibbio this weekend at UFC Vegas 55, will remain on the card amidst the ongoing investigation. He’s looking to win his fifth straight fight after defeating Andre Fialho earlier this year at UFC 270.

Sometime after his fight with Fialho, Pereira was in the passenger seat of a car driven by his friend who was intoxicated. Pereira, who was also intoxicated, offered to take the wheel after his friend said he nearly got into a crash.

After taking control of the car, Pereira was stopped by officers shortly after and was told that a crash had indeed taken place while his friend was in the driver’s seat.

“I was half asleep on a sunny day in Las Vegas, so I looked at the car and didn’t see anything [in regards to damage],” Pereira told MMA Fighting. “I told him, ‘I’ve rested enough already, give me the car and I’ll drive.’ The police pulled me over some time later and did all the procedures and asked me about the crash. That’s when I saw the crash. It almost gave me depression.

“He came and did the breathalyzer test. Since I had too much to drink the day before, it was right on the limit. He said, ‘You’re going to have to come with me and wait for six hours so [the level] goes down.”

Pereira also explained that he took a breathalyzer test hours later and passed. The incident is being handled by Pereira’s legal team.

Pereira is arguably one of the most exciting fighters in the welterweight division with a unique striking approach. After winning his promotional debut in May 2019 against Danny Roberts, he has gone on to win four of his last six UFC fights.

What is your reaction to Michel Pereira’s DUI case?

Continue Reading Michel Pereira Reveals DUI Incident From Earlier This Year at MMA News.

UFC welterweight prospect Shavkat Rakhmonov is targeting a clash with the unorthodox Michel Pereira next.

Rakhmonov returned to action this past weekend at UFC Vegas 47 for his third Octagon outing. Having arrived on MMA’s biggest stage as a highly touted 13-0 prospect, the Kazakhstani made a splash on debut by submitting divisional veteran Alex Oliveira inside one round at UFC 254 in 2020.

After submitting Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Michel Prazeres in his sophomore appearance last June, Rakhmonov was presented with the challenge of Carlston Harris for his opening fight of 2022.

Venturing away from his imposing submission game, the 27-year-old put his knockout power and striking ability on full display inside Las Vegas’ Apex facility. After flooring his Guyanese opponent with a spinning hook kick, Rakhmonov swarmed Harris on the ground and knocked him out with some brutal ground-and-pound.

Rakhmonov Hopes To Add Another Brazilian To His Record

Having defeated two Brazilian natives and a longtime Brazilian resident fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rakhmonov is hoping to continue his decimation of the country’s welterweights in his next outing.

At the UFC Vegas 47 post-fight press conference, Rakhmonov called out a name not many seek to face, Michel Pereira. Having seen his Sanford MMA teammate Andre Fialho beaten by the Marabá native, “Nomad” wants his hands on “Demolidor” next.

“If you’re asking about who (is next), let’s give me Michel Pereira. He fought with my teammate Andre Fialho, so I want to fight with him.” (h/t MMA Junkie)

Pereira’s victory over Fialho at UFC 270 extends his win streak to four. Prior to his triumph over the Portuguese striker, the 28-year-old took home decision victories over Niko Price and Khaos Williams and submitted Zelim Imadaev. He was also well on his way to a triumph against Diego Sanchez before an illegal knee led to his disqualification.

If this matchup comes to fruition, on one side we’d have one of the most entertaining and unique fighters on the UFC roster, and on the other, one of the most highly-touted rising prospects in the promotion.

While Rakhmonov is undoubtedly one to watch moving forward, a victory over an established name like Pereira would certainly accelerate him towards the top.

Would you like to see Shavkat Rakhmonov face Michel Pereira next?

Continue Reading Rakhmonov Targets Pereira Following UFC Vegas 47 Knockout at MMA News.