A new threat is making his way to the UFC Welterweight Division as Michel Pereira has signed a deal with the promotion.
MMA Fighting first reported the news, but did not reveal the contract length or any financial numbers associated with the deal. The fighter made headlines in recent weeks after doing flashy moves like a moonsault at a Road FC event.
The newly signed UFC star recently said in an interview with MMA Fighting that he knows that not everybody is going to be a fan of the fighting style.
“Everything is criticized in the world today, and my style was heavily criticized in the beginning,” Pereira said. “I was always swimming against the tide. The norm was always to fight for the finish, but I opted for the show, to do the things I was doing, and many people criticized me. People didn’t believe in what I was doing. I was told many times that the things I was training wouldn’t work, but I chose to put on a show. People said I was a clown and should be in a circus, but I always believed and had people who supported me. The people that were the closest to me were the ones that put me down the most, told me to quit fighting and get a job, that it wouldn’t work, but I believed in God and everything worked.”
There is no word at this time as to when Pereira will make his promotional debut or whom the opponent is going to be when the bout happens.
Kamaru Usman is the current king of the welterweight division, defeating Tyron Woodley to win the gold at UFC 235.