Sharabutdin Magomedov’s upcoming bout against Ihor Potieira at UFC on ABC 6 faced a sudden change when Potieira was pulled to face Michel Pereira at UFC 301. Pereira’s subsequent victory drew the ire of Magomedov, who criticized Pereira for his actions outside the octagon, particularly Pereira’s display of the Israeli flag after defeating Andre Petroski.
In response, Magomedov expressed a desire to face Pereira in the future, citing Pereira’s involvement with the Israeli flag while ignoring Magomedov’s callout.
Despite Magomedov’s callout, Pereira has remained focused on his commitments outside of fighting, including assisting with rescue efforts following the Rio Grande do Sul floods. Pereira was initially set to return to the octagon just five weeks after UFC 301 to face Roman Dolidze at UFC on ESPN 57.
However, the bout fell through due to logistical reasons, as both Pereira and Dolidze train at the same gym and Dolidze felt he didn’t have enough time to find a new training camp.
Magomedov’s frustration with the situation was evident in his callout of Pereira, emphasizing the disruption caused by Pereira’s victory over Potieira. Magomedov’s undefeated record and recent victory over Bruno Silva at UFC 294 highlight his potential in the middleweight division.
In contrast, Pereira boasts a solid professional record and a notable eight-fight win streak in the UFC. Despite Magomedov’s criticism, Pereira’s focus on humanitarian efforts and training commitments suggests a willingness to prioritize responsibilities outside of fighting. Whether the UFC will book a matchup between Magomedov and Pereira remains uncertain, but the potential clash between these two fighters could garner significant attention in the future.
