Michel Pereira is set to fight Ihor Potieria at UFC 301 after Makhmud Muradov pulled out due to an infection.
Well, here’s a shake-up for ya. Michel Pereira’s got a new dance partner for UFC 301. Makhmud Muradov’s out, folks. Infection’s the culprit, according to those in the know. Alex Behunin was the first to spill the beans.
Where’s this all going down? UFC 301’s set for the Farmasi Arena. That’s in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Mark your calendars for May 4.
Who’s stepping in? Ihor Potieria, that’s who. His record’s 21-5, not too shabby. He was supposed to duke it out with Shara Magomedov on June 22. But hey, plans change. Now he’s on the Brazilian pay-per-view card.
A bit about Potieria. He’s a Ukrainian powerhouse. Missed weight before his last UFC win over Robert Bryczek in February, but that’s water under the bridge. Scored his first UFC victory in the same arena back in January 2023. And what a win it was! Sent former UFC and PRIDE champ Mauricio “Shogun” Rua into retirement with a first-round knockout.
Now, let’s talk Pereira. His record’s 30-11, with 2 no-contests. He’s stepping back into the octagon less than two months after a 61-second submission win over Michal Oleksiejczuk at UFC 299.
Pereira’s been on a roll. Five straight wins at welterweight against big names like Santiago Ponzinibbio, Andre Fialho, and Niko Price. Then he moved up a division after missing weight for a cancelled bout with Stephen Thompson. Now he’s 2-0 at middleweight, with quick finishes over Andre Petroski and Oleksiejczuk.
So, there you have it. The updated UFC 301 lineup. Stay tuned, folks.