UFC Fight Night: Sharabutdin Magomedov vs Michel Pereira Preview & Prediction
A middleweight battle between ultra-dynamic strikers sees Shara Magomedov take on Michel Pereira in a fight that is unlikely to require the judges' intervention.
Sharabutdin Magomedov vs Michel Pereira facts
What time are Sharabutdin Magomedov and Michel Pereira expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs Torres? National Gymnastics Arena, Baku, Azerbaijan
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs Torres? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 280
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs Torres on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs Torres? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs Torres main card
Rafael Fiziev vs Manuel Torres (Lightweight)
Sharabutdin Magomedov vs Michel Pereira (Middleweight)
Nazim Sadykhov vs Matheus Camilo (Lightweight)
Asu Almabayev vs Charles Johnson (Flyweight)
Ikram Aliskerov vs Brunno Ferreira (Middleweight)
Abusupiyan Magomedov vs Michal Oleksiejczuk (Middleweight)
UFC Fight Night: Fiziev vs Torres prelims
Farman Hasanov vs Eric Nolan (Welterweight)
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev vs Julius Walker (Light Heavyweight)
Nursulton Ruziboev vs Andrey Pulyaev (Middleweight)
Kaan Ofli vs Javier Reyes (Featherweight)
Daniil Donchenko vs Theodor Berggren (Welterweight)
Bekzat Almakhan vs Jean Matsumoto (Bantamweight)
Tahir Abdullayev vs Jefferson Nascimento (Welterweight)
Sharabutdin Magomedov: "Shara Bullet" takes on co-main duties in search of another highlight reel stoppage
Returning for the first time in nearly a year, Shara Magomedov (16-1) looks to build on the momentum of a hard fought win over Marc Andre-Barriault last time out. While he hasn’t been able to carry his finishing form on the regional circuit into life in the UFC, “Shara Bullet” is one of the middleweight division’s most dynamic strikers, a feat that’s all the more remarkable considering that he’s blind in one eye. Best known for a remarkable double spinning backfist KO against Armen Petrosyan in 2024, the Russian is a lightning fast kicker with a veritable arsenal of highlight reel techniques to call upon.
Michel Pereira: Can "Demolidor" rediscover the form that saw him run riot across two weight divisions?
Once regarded as must-see MMA, the Michel Pereira (32-14, 2 NC) of 2026 is a far cry from the somersaulting striker that debuted in 2019. “Demolidor” had to tone his acrobatic game down to adapt to UFC level competition, a state of affairs that initially had incredible results. Pereira reeled off an eight fight win streak with four Performance bonuses across two weight classes between 2020 and 2024, but he’s arguably never been the same since the career changing beatdown from Anthony Hernandez that halted his title charge. Pereira is just 1-2 since; he’s coming off a win, but a victory over the notoriously limited Zachary Reese isn’t enough to convince me that he’s on some form of resurgence.
Sharabutdin Magomedov vs Michel Pereira prediction
While Magomedov is fun, he doesn’t look like he’s ever going to legitimately contend at 185 pounds. However, I think he’s got more than enough to get past Pereira here. “Shara Bullet” may not be the biggest one-punch KO threat, but he’s still a lightning fast striker with an arsenal of dynamic techniques and we’re just one fight removed from seeing Pereira get flatlined by Kyle Daukaus.
If Pereira is going to win, he’s going to have to lean heavily on his grappling, particularly considering the fact that his chin has noticeably deteriorated. “Demolidor” has mixed in the wrestling to win fights in the past and Magomedov hasn’t proven insusceptible to getting taken down throughout his UFC tenure. Michal Oleksiejczuk, Bruno Silva, and Marc-Andre Barriault aren’t exactly the first fighters who spring to mind when you think of elite wrestlers at 185 and they all grounded Magomedov on multiple occasions.
With that being said, “Shara Bullet” also showcased his ability to get back to his feet in all of those fights, going on to earn the nod on each occasion. Pereira could well score a few takedowns across 15 minutes but out in the open, I think Magomedov is going to absolutely tee off on him here. “Shara Bullet” either soundly outstrikes “Demolidor” over three rounds or Pereira wilts as the damage piles up, resulting in a late stoppage.
Prediction: Sharabutdin Magomedov to win
