Michel Pereira, recently cut from the UFC following a unanimous decision loss to Shara Magomedov at UFC Baku, has revealed he is working with a lawyer to get the result overturned. Pereira contends that Magomedov pulled his hair three times during the fight and that referee Herb Dean's failure to deduct a point constituted refereeing errors that altered the outcome of his career. The Brazilian had previously launched a petition to ban Dean following the bout, and compatriot Alex Pereira publicly criticized the UFC's decision to release him.
Michel Pereira is taking his UFC Baku defeat to a lawyer, pursuing a legal bid to have the unanimous decision loss to Shara Magomedov officially overturned — a move that comes after the promotion cut the Brazilian fighter from its roster following the bout.
Pereira, who carries a professional record of 32-15-0, contends that Magomedov pulled his hair on three separate occasions during the fight and that veteran referee Herb Dean's failure to deduct a point for those fouls materially altered the outcome. The 32-year-old orthodox striker, known by the nickname "Demolidor," lands 4.46 significant strikes per minute and adds a takedown threat averaging 1.21 per fifteen minutes, making him a versatile and well-rounded competitor who built a loyal fanbase during his UFC tenure. His displeasure with Dean's handling of the contest preceded the legal move — Pereira had already launched a public petition calling for the referee to be banned from officiating in the UFC.
Magomedov, the Russian fighter nicknamed "Bullet" out of Gorets Fight Club, improved to 17-1-0 with the victory. Standing six-foot-two with a 73-inch reach, the 32-year-old is one of the most explosive strikers in the organization, landing nearly six significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 62 percent.
The story has drawn broader attention within the Brazilian MMA community. Light heavyweight contender Alex Pereira, who holds a 13-4-0 record and sits ranked third at 205 pounds, publicly criticized the UFC's decision to release Michel Pereira in the wake of the loss.
Why it matters
- A successful legal challenge to a sanctioned result would set an extraordinary precedent in combat sports
- Michel Pereira's release raises questions about how promotions weigh foul-related disputes when making roster decisions
- Alex Pereira's public criticism signals potential friction between the UFC and one of its most prominent light heavyweight names
