Michel Pereira says Anthony Pettis refused to fight him at UFC Vegas 17: 'He said he was hurt'

M. Pereira states that A.Pettis refused to fight claiming to be injured. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ufc

The Brazilian Michael Pereira faces the North American Kalinn Williams on the main card of UFC Las Vegas 17, which takes place this Saturday (19). However, he hoped to fight another opponent: the former lightweight champion (up to 70,3 kg) Anthony Pettis. In an interview with the North American website MMA Fighting, he stated that he is disappointed with 'Showtime', who had supposedly refused the fight claiming to be injured, but agreed to face alex morono in the same event.

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“I'm upset with Anthony Pettis because he said he had a back injury and was hurt. And I understood that. But now he's fighting on the same card on the 19th. So why isn't he fighting me? He is afraid? I almost couldn't fight in December because it took him a month to say yes or no. He said no, and now he is also fighting on the 19th,” said Pereira.

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On the other hand, Pettis said he did not receive the invitation to face Michael Pereira and denied the statement that he was 'afraid' of the Brazilian.

“Dana (White) sends me five names (to choose from) and this guy’s name (Michael Pereira) was not on the list. I know who he is, because he tried the 'Showtime Kick' (a kick popularized by Pettis) a few times. But he's mistaken that he thinks I'm scared. I've already fought the guy who's in the main fight on the card (Stephen Thompson), why would I be afraid to fight this guy? (…) Maybe he should look at who I fought and then he can tell me if I'm afraid of fighting a guy like him”, replied the American.

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When asked if there is a possibility of the fight happening in the future, Anthony claimed to have no plans for the future.

“Maybe our paths will cross. But it wasn't in God's plan now for us to fight. I really don’t need to talk about it.”, she concluded.

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In 2020, Michael Pereira moved to Las Vegas after his victory over Russian Zelim Imadaev, in UFC Las Vegas 9, which took place in September 2020. Now, he is training at Brazilian fitness trainer Rafael Alejarra's gym. At 27 years old, the 'Demolidor' or 'Paraense Voador', as he is known, has a record of 21 wins, 11 losses and two fights without result.