The best and worst from UFC Fight Night 158: Cowboy vs. Gaethje

#2 Worst: Pereira turns out to be more flash than substance

Michel Pereira ran out of steam in his fight with Tristan Connelly

Brazil’s Michel Pereira had one of the best UFC debuts in recent memory back in May when he destroyed Danny Roberts with some ridiculously flashy striking. Coming into last night’s show it felt like his upward trajectory would continue – particularly when his initial opponent Sergey Khandozhko dropped out and was replaced by local fighter Tristan Connelly on 6 days notice.

But then an alarm bell was rung when Pereira – a huge Welterweight – missed the 170lbs limit by two pounds. Still though, he remained ultra-confident, busting out some flips during the ceremonial weigh-in and then breakdancing his way through his introduction last night.

Well, it turns out that ‘Demolidor’ appears to be more flash than substance. Sure, he came out with all the springing and flipping attacks in the first round, but when he couldn’t put Connelly away early he simply ran out of steam and it became easy for the Canadian to grind down en route to a decision win.

Connelly might find some success now as a Bryan Barberena-esque figure, but for Pereira to succeed further in the UFC he may need to go back to basics somewhat, as sad as that will be to see. Making weight for his next fight would help at least.