Having lost his opponent for next month’s UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia, Sharabutdin Magomedov is calling for the man responsible to fill in. Magomedov made his debut as a highly touted, undefeated prospect last October at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi. The 29-year-old Dagestani was handed a tough assignment in his first Octagon outing, sharing the cage with established middleweight veteran Bruno Silva. While he was taken to the scorecards for only the second time in his professional mixed martial arts career, Sharabutdin Magomedov had his hand raised.
After a little wait for his second booking, “Bullet” had a showdown with Ihor Potieria announced for the promotion’s debut in Saudi Arabia. However, when Makhmud Muradov pulled out of UFC 301 in Brazil earlier this month, Potieria was drafted in for a short-notice battle with Michel Pereira. It turned out to be an unsuccessful night for “The Duelist,” who was dropped and choked unconscious in just 54 seconds.
Plans to keep the Magomedov vs. Potieria matchup together for June 22 in Riyadh have since been scrapped owing to the Ukrainian’s medical suspension. Having been left without a dance partner, “Bullet” has a bone to pick with Pereira. In a recent post on his Instagram Stories, Sharabutdin Magomedov took aim at Pereira’s performance in Rio de Janeiro on May 4. “Demolidor” stirred debate after he appeared to kick the head of a grounded Potieria while attempting one of his unique backflips after knocking the Ukrainian down. Magomedov made note of that, branding it an “illegal move” that he’ll punish inside the cage should they be booked opposite one another for the upcoming event in Saudi Arabia.
Sharabutdin Magomedov Opens Up on Michael Pereira
“(Pereira), you damn acrobat, I lost my opponent because of you,” Sharabutdin Magomedov wrote. “Everyone knows that you can do backflips now, but UFC is not a circus. You made an illegal move, and now you have to be punished. Let us kick him out of the rankings and let me deal with this clown. Ship him to Saudi Arabia on June 22nd, and I will board him.”
Shara Magomedov calls out Michel Pereira for #UFCSaudiArabia showdown on June 22 👀#UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/j4v0hG3hgR
— Sportskeeda MMA (@sportskeedaMMA) May 13, 2024
The Brazilian’s current status appears uncertain after news broke of a fight with #11-ranked middleweight contender Roman Dolidze. After reports of the matchup emerged, “Demolidor” outlined surprise at the Georgian accepting the offer given their history as training partners. Dolidze subsequently said he believed Pereira had already greenlit the fight before he gave his agreement. Should that confusion ultimately lead to the promotion pursuing other avenues, perhaps Pereira could be contacted for a relatively short-notice trip to the Middle East for a collision with “Bullet.”
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