Michel Pereira and Ihor Potieria, UFC 301 ceremonial weigh-in Credit: Dylan Bowker/Cageside Press
When Michel Pereira first came to the UFC as a welterweight, the scouting report was that he would have an exciting fight but would struggle on the gas tank. However, at UFC 301, Pereira, currently a middleweight, was looking to extend his seven-fight winning streak against Ihor Potieria.
“Demolidor” wasted no time in destroying the competition on Saturday. In an instant, he knocked Ihor Potieria unconscious and knocked him onto his back. Pereira then performed a pro-wrestling-style standing moonsault, one of his patented moves, backflip onto Potieria, grazing the Ukrainian head-first and shin.
that. just. happened. 👀@UFCPereira | #UFC301 pic.twitter.com/pffqqaOPZ2
— UFC (@ufc) May 5, 2024
From there, Pereira caught his opponent with a guillotine. Ihor lost consciousness while tapping, giving Michelle Pereira an 8-game winning streak!
An accidental contact between Pereira and Potieria during a backflip sparked controversy immediately after the victory. The local sports commission and the referee inside the cage had a lengthy discussion before the results were read out. In the end, ringside officials gave the result a pass, likely because the contact was accidental and mostly to the chest and shoulders, giving Pereira the submission victory. There is no doubt that this is one of the most memorable finishing sequences in recent years.
All he needed was 54 seconds 😱@UFCPereira Win submissions in the first round! #UFC301 pic.twitter.com/lCcN5z8Js1
— UFC (@ufc) May 5, 2024
With eight straight wins and one of the most exciting careers of any active UFC fighter, Michelle Pereira’s stock is skyrocketing.
Official Results: Michel Pereira def. Ihor Potieria, submission (guillotine choke), round 1, 0:54
