Michel Pereira fails to make weight for the biggest fight of his career at UFC 291. Find out the implications and consequences of his weight miss in this article.
In a shocking turn of events, Michel Pereira failed to make weight for the biggest fight of his career at UFC 291. The official weigh-ins took place on Friday, where Pereira tipped the scales at 174 pounds, three pounds over the limit for a non-title welterweight bout. This is not the first time Pereira has missed weight, as he previously came in one pound heavy for a fight in 2019.
His opponent, Stephen Thompson, successfully made weight at 170.5 pounds, showing his dedication and professionalism. Pereira’s inability to meet the weight requirement puts his fight in jeopardy, raising questions about whether the bout will proceed at a catchweight.
Pereira entered fight week with an impressive five-fight win streak, making this fight against Thompson his toughest challenge yet. Thompson, currently ranked No. 9 in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, is a formidable opponent who is known for his striking and technical skills.
The outcome of this fight could have significant implications for both fighters’ careers. If Pereira is unable to compete at the required weight, he may face penalties, including a forfeiture of a percentage of his purse. This would be a major setback for Pereira, who has been on a winning streak in the UFC’s welterweight division.
In the main event of UFC 291, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje successfully made weight for their highly anticipated rematch. Both fighters came in at 155 and 156 pounds, respectively. This rematch is a highly anticipated bout, as Poirier defeated Gaethje by fourth-round TKO in their previous encounter.
The winner of the main event will be crowned the UFC’s second-ever “BMF” champion, adding another layer of excitement to an already stacked card. Additionally, former middleweight champion Alex Pereira successfully made weight for his light heavyweight debut, while his opponent Jan Blachowicz hit 205 pounds on the dot.
Despite these exciting matchups, there were some disappointments at the weigh-ins. Vinicius Salvador, a preliminary competitor, also failed to make weight, coming in at 128.5 pounds, 2.5 pounds over the limit for his bout with CJ Vergara. Salvador will forfeit 20 percent of his purse as a penalty.
Overall, UFC 291 is shaping up to be an event filled with anticipation and potential upsets. Fans are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the fights, especially the clash between Pereira and Thompson, which has been overshadowed by Pereira’s weight issues.
UFC 291 Fight Card
| Main Card | Weight |
|---|---|
| Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje | 155 / 156 |
| Jan Blachowicz vs. Alex Pereira | 205 / 205.5 |
| Stephen Thompson vs. Michel Pereira | 170.5 / 174* (fight is off) |
| Tony Ferguson vs. Bobby Green | 155 / 155.5 |
| Michael Chiesa vs. Kevin Holland | 170 / 169.5 |
| Preliminary Card | Weight |
|---|---|
| Gabriel Bonfim vs. Trevin Giles | 170 / 170 |
| Derrick Lewis vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima | 263.5 / 262 |
| Roman Kopylov vs. Claudio Ribeiro | 185 / 185.5 |
| Jake Matthews vs. Darrius Flowers | 170 / 170.5 |
| Early Prelims | Weight |
|---|---|
| CJ Vergara vs. Vinicius Salvador | 125.5 / 128.5** |
| Matthew Semelsberger vs. Uros Medic | 169.5 / 170.5 |
| Miranda Maverick vs. Priscila Cachoeira | 125.5 / 125 |
*Michel Pereira missed weight
**Vinicius Salvador missed weight by 2.5 pounds
The event will take place at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, promising an exciting night of fights.
