British Columbia native Tristan Connelly is stepping up on short notice to face Michel Pereira at UFC Vancouver.
Just days out from UFC Vancouver, a local prospect has stepped up to face flashy Brazilian Michel Pereira. Vancouver-based fighter Tristan Connelly, who last competed at lightweight, will head to welterweight for the bout, which goes down this Saturday at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C.
TSN’s Aaron Bronstater first reported the news. Connelly (13-6), originally from Victoria, was campaigning for the fight on social media after Pereira’s originally opponent, Sergey Khandozhko, dropped out due to visa issues.
Hey @UFC_CA @UFCVancouverNow @ufc @seanshelby @danawhite
Need a welter weight for UFC Van!! I’m your man and ready to be David and take out Goliath! #giantkiller
— Tristan Connelly (@MMATristan) September 7, 2019
Connelly, a lightweight, was clearly aware of Pereira’s status as one of the more hulking welterweights, as he said he was “ready to be David and take out Goliath!”
The 33-year old has won his last four fights, most recently competing in July. All but one came at 155lbs, with the final being a 160lb catchweight back in May.
For his part, Brazil’s Pereira has won three straight bouts, including his UFC debut against Danny Roberts at UFC Rochester, also in May. Pereira shot to fame after a video of him pulling off a moonsault and other antics in a ROAD FC fight went viral earlier this year.
UFC Vancouver (UFC Fight Night 158) airs live this Saturday, September 14 on ESPN+ in the U.S., and TSN 4 in Canada.
