Michel Pereira was met with boos from fans at UFC Kansas City due to an uncharacteristic and disappointing performance.
The UFC event in Kansas City marked the promotion`s return to the city after two years.
A notable middleweight fight on the main card featured fan favorite Michel Pereira against Abus Magomedov.
Pereira is usually celebrated for his unique, unpredictable fighting style, though it can sometimes lead to risky situations.
Coming off a loss to Anthony Hernandez, the Brazilian fighter aimed to rebound and halt Magomedov`s impressive three-fight winning streak.
Controversial Walkout Dance Precedes Pereira`s Performance
Known for his theatrical entrances, Pereira performed a choreographed dance routine during his walkout, which did not seem to impress the audience.
Perhaps having expended energy during his entrance, Pereira began the fight unusually slowly compared to his typical aggressive approach.
Early in the first round, Magomedov landed several significant blows, including a powerful left hook that briefly knocked Pereira down.
Magomedov capitalized by securing a takedown against the cage and attempting a submission from Pereira`s back.
The second round saw Pereira remain uncharacteristically passive, throwing minimal strikes while Magomedov landed freely. The lack of action led to fans booing about a minute before the round ended.
In the third and final round, Pereira finally increased his pace, likely realizing he was behind on the scorecards after two slow rounds.
Despite his increased urgency, Pereira struggled to land effectively. Magomedov continued to connect with significant strikes, even wobbling Pereira with under two minutes left.
Abus Magomedov ultimately secured a unanimous decision victory, extending his winning streak to four and positioning himself closer to the middleweight rankings.
Michel Pereira`s UFC Future in Question After Consecutive Losses
Following a polarizing walkout and a performance that drew heavy criticism and boos, Michel Pereira`s position in the UFC appears uncertain.
The 31-year-old fighter is now on a two-fight skid, meaning another defeat in his next bout could potentially lead to his release from the promotion.
Abus Magomedov, in contrast, demonstrated he is again ready to compete against top-15 middleweights, having previously been given a fast-track fight against Sean Strickland.
