LAS VEGAS – Michel Pereira beat Andre Petroski with a first-round TKO Saturday on the main card at UFC Fight Night 230 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Pereira, who won in his move to middleweight after spending the first part of his UFC run at welterweight.
Michel Pereira vs. Andre Petroski
Result: Michel Pereira def. Andre Petroski via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:06
Updated records: Pereira (29-11 MMA, 7-2 UFC), Petroski (10-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC)
Key stats: Pereira’s win was his sixth straight, but first stoppage in more than three years.
Pereira on the fight's key moment
“I knew I was going to knock him out, but I thought it would be in the second round. But everything went perfect. I’m very happy for that. We didn’t have too much time (in the fight). I felt like he was planning to take me down, and I was still studying him, but I felt the chance and I connected the punch and knocked him out. We didn’t have time enough to be surprised or anything like that.”
THE RIGHT HAND FROM MICHEL PEREIRA 💥 #UFCVegas81 pic.twitter.com/EYHusMONeI
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 14, 2023
Pereira on carrying an Israel flag
“The decision was because of the war that’s happening in Israel. I have a lot of friends there and I saw a lot of videos that broke my heart. … I have a baby. I have a kid at home. So when I saw the video, it broke my heart. I decided to have the flag to support Israel.”
Pereira on what he wants next
“I would like to come back as soon as possible. I don’t have anybody in mind since it’s my new division. I didn’t have time enough to think about that. But I’m here to work. As soon as the UFC needs me, I’m going to work.
“Don’t forget that I have five (straight) victories in the welterweight division? In my opinion, I do believe I deserve (to be ranked at middleweight). But since it’s my first fight, I don’t know. I don’t make the decisions. If I need one more fight in order to be part of the rankings, I’m going to fight. It’s all good.”
To hear more from Pereira, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 230.
