The lineup for what is expected to be a blockbuster UFC pay-per-view at Las Vegas’ Sphere is expected to come together soon, and it appears one of the first names added to the card is the electrifying Michel Pereira.
The event — originally titled UFC 306 but now set as “Riyadh Season Noche UFC” — will be the promotion’s second celebration of Mexican Independence Day. While the first at T-Mobile Arena was a successful occasion last September, the mixed martial arts leader is looking to go above and beyond this time around.
On September 14, live sporting action will go down inside the Sphere for the very first time. Ever since confirming the venue for the second instalment of Noche UFC, Dana White has promised fireworks in an unforgettable night.
And when it comes to that level of excitement, you could do worse than having Michel Pereira making the walk...
Pereira & ‘Fluffy' Hernandez Set For Sphere Showcase
The promotion has been tight-lipped thus far when it comes to which athletes will make the walk inside the Sphere, but Pereira appears to have let slip his inclusion.
In a post on Instagram, the #13-ranked middleweight uploaded an image of his in-game character on UFC 5 facing off with the man directly below him on the 185-pound ladder, Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez.
In the caption, “Demolidor” revealed that he’s set to share the Octagon with the fan favorite on September 14.
"HERE WE GOOOO !! September 14th the Sphere Las Vegas will be LIT,” Pereira wrote, translated from Portuguese. "And Carrapato Hernandez is going to meet the Revestrés and Smoke Mix!! Michel Pereira x Anthony Hernandez!! HERE WE GO!!
Pereira (31-11, 2 NC) was most recently in action on home soil at UFC 301, where he thrilled the Rio de Janeiro crowd with a 54-second finish of Ihor Potieria. The result marked the Brazilian’s third straight win since returning to middleweight, with all three equalling just 3 minutes and one second of Octagon time.
Hernandez (12-2, 1 NC), meanwhile, has risen into the top 15 courtesy of five consecutive wins since a loss to Kevin Holland in 2020. That run started with a memorable submission of Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Rodolfo Vieira and most recently saw “Fluffy” force a tap from Roman Kopylov at UFC 298 in Anaheim this past February.