Rio de Janeiro – UFC middleweight Michel Pereira responded to criticism about his backflip attack that may or may not have been an illegal strike in his win over Ihor Potieria at UFC 301 on Saturday night.
“It’s my fighting style. It’s what I do,” Pereira told reporters including Cageside Press through a translator at his post-fight scrum.
“That’s the risk, but I’m the risk taker. That’s why I’m getting the performances I’ve been getting. That’s why I’m the UFC showman. I’m always on the edge of the risks.”
Pereira (31-11) finished Potieria with a nasty standing guillotine choke that may have his opponent to sleep.
“I’m a MMA fighter. I saw the opportunity to take him on the guillotine and I did. That’s what I did,” he said.
Emerging unscathed and with a quick fight Periera said he’s ready to go as soon as needed.
“I’m ready to fight again. I’m injury-free. I’m ready to go. Hopefully the UFC will give me a better ranked fighter next time, but I’m ready to fight anyone they put against me. I’m the UFC showman,” he told Cageside Press.
With his first fight in his native Brazil in 6 years it really couldn’t have gone much better.
“I’m super happy. I’m happy with my performance, happy with the opportunity God has given me,” he said.
“And happy with the outcome of the fight.”
Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Michel Pereira above.
