We’ve never seen that. MMA fighters often use their imagination to try to surprise their opponents, but Michel Pereira’s technique is particularly surprising. On the night of Saturday to Sunday, during UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian surprised everyone by attempting a daring somersault.
An astonishing but very useful technique to pass the guard of Ihor Potieria, who was trying to counter him with his feet. In a favorable position thanks to his somersault, Pereira was able to place a guillotine which put his opponent to sleep.
🔥🔥🔥 BUT WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! Pereira performs an impressive somersault to pass his opponent’s guard before putting Potieria to sleep with a monstrous guillotine.
🇧🇷 THE Brazilian certainly delivers the performance of the year. #UFC301 #RMCMMA pic.twitter.com/BVfLnJl2Or
— RMC Sport Combat (@RMCSportCombat) May 5, 2024
The video is impressive. While the middleweight has just shaken his opponent with a superb left-right sequence, he turns around and goes into a backflip to find himself in the other direction and have access to Potieria’s head. The following is a demonstration. After a few blows, the Ukrainian tries to get up, but the Brazilian places a guillotine which pushes his opponent to give up after only 54 seconds of combat.
This clash is not the only one that ended in spectacular fashion. Another Brazilian, Caio Borralho, won thanks to a violent knockout. While he outrageously dominated Paul Craig, the 14th in the middleweight category unleashed a devastating sequence that made the Scot reel. A left hook finally dried him out in the second round.
The two main fights of the evening went to their conclusion. For his return to the organization, legend José Aldo, former featherweight champion, totally dominated Jonathan Martinez. Unable to counter his opponent, the American lost in a unanimous decision by the judges (30-27 for the three judges). The Brazilian will therefore make his return to the rankings, this time at bantamweight.
🔥🇧🇷 What a demonstration! José Aldo dominated the fight head and shoulders against Martinez. A successful return for the Brazilian who continues to write the legend of the UFC and MMA. pic.twitter.com/9CIypNMXUN
— RMC Sport Combat (@RMCSportCombat) May 5, 2024
The main event pitted flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja against Steve Erceg. Despite a big battle, the Australian was unable to overthrow the champion at home. Declared the winner unanimously by the judges (49-46, 48-47, 48-47), the Brazilian therefore retained his belt for the second time, less than 10 months after winning it against the Mexican Brandon Moreno.
