Alex Pereira blames UFC for Michel Pereira's release after Shara fight
Former UFC champion Alex Pereira has criticized the organization for releasing Michel Pereira following a controversial loss to Shara Magomedov. Alex argues that poor officiating during the fight unfairly impacted Michel's career trajectory.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing debates regarding refereeing standards and fighter contract security in professional mixed martial arts.
The UFC’s decision to release Brazilian middleweight Michel Pereira has sparked strong reactions from fellow fighters. Former UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has publicly criticised the promotion after Michel was removed from the roster following his loss to Shara Magomedov at UFC Baku. The decision came after Michel’s contract expired, ending his seven-year run with the organisation.Michel Pereira’s exit has also reignited debate about the officiating during his final UFC appearance. Many fans questioned referee Herb Dean’s handling of the contest after several fouls by Magomedov went without a point deduction. Alex Pereira believes those moments had a major impact on the result and ultimately on Michel’s UFC future.Alex Pereira says Michel Pereira paid the price for controversial officiatingMichel Pereira entered his UFC Baku clash with Shara Magomedov on a one-fight contract. After losing by unanimous decision, the UFC chose not to renew his deal.
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