Shara Magomedov nearly sparked a brawl at the UFC Baku final faceoffs after grabbing Michel Pereira by the neck during their face-off. Security intervened to prevent the confrontation from escalating ahead of their Saturday bout.
Security personnel had to step in at the UFC Baku final faceoffs on Thursday after Shara Magomedov reached out and grabbed Michel Pereira by the neck, nearly turning the pre-fight ceremony into an early altercation ahead of their Saturday middleweight bout.
Magomedov, known as "Bullet," enters the fight carrying a 17-1 record and riding what has been a striking-heavy campaign out of Russia's Gorets Fight Club. The 32-year-old stands six-foot-two with a 73-inch reach and has been one of the more explosive offensive fighters in the division, landing 5.93 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 62 percent accuracy. He has registered zero takedown attempts per 15 minutes, signaling a clear intent to keep every fight standing.
Pereira, nicknamed "Demolidor," brings a 32-15 record and holds the number 15 ranking in the middleweight division. The 32-year-old Brazilian, who trains out of Overcome Academy, stands six-foot-one with a matching 73-inch reach. He averages 4.46 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy and adds a ground dimension to his game, averaging 1.21 takedowns and 0.7 submission attempts per 15 minutes — tools that give him options Magomedov has not historically had to navigate.
Why it matters
- Both fighters are 32 and firmly in their prime, making this a high-stakes opportunity for either man to push up the middleweight rankings
- Magomedov's elite striking accuracy against Pereira's mixed approach sets up a compelling style contrast
- Pereira's takedown and submission averages could be the deciding factor if he is able to neutralize Magomedov's dangerous stand-up game
- The neck grab suggests both men arrive in Baku with intensity already elevated, which rarely makes for a cautious first round
