Alex Pereira has voiced his displeasure over Michel Pereira's release from the UFC, publicly criticizing referee Herb Dean for what he describes as a mistake. Pereira's comments suggest he believes the officiating played a role in circumstances that led to his compatriot's departure from the promotion.
Light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has publicly turned his fire on veteran referee Herb Dean, blaming the official for what he sees as a critical error tied to fellow Brazilian Michel Pereira's release from the UFC, according to comments made around July 15, 2026.
Michel Pereira, 32, had been competing at middleweight and held the number 15 ranking in the division before his departure from the promotion. Known as "Demolidor," the Brazilian out of Overcome Academy carries a professional record of 32-15-0 and brought an aggressive, high-volume style to the octagon, landing 4.46 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy while mixing in 1.21 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Alex Pereira, meanwhile, stands as the reigning light heavyweight champion with a record of 13-4-0. The 39-year-old known as "Poatan" is one of the most dangerous strikers in the sport, landing 5.16 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 62 percent — numbers that reflect his knockout power at six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach. Training out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness, Pereira has made no secret of his loyalties to his Brazilian compatriots.
Pereira stopped short of detailing the specific incident in question but made clear he believes refereeing played a role in the chain of events leading to his fellow countryman's exit from the UFC. His criticism directed squarely at Herb Dean signals the champion is willing to use his platform to defend those around him.
Why it matters
- Michel Pereira's release removes a ranked middleweight with a distinct, crowd-pleasing style from the division
- Alex Pereira's public criticism of a senior official is unusual for an active champion and could draw a response from the UFC
- The comments add tension between fighter communities and officiating bodies at a time when refereeing decisions face increasing scrutiny
