Michel Pereira will likely not be fighting Stephen Thompson next, despite both men calling for it.
Thompson recently did an interview with BJPENN.com where he made it known he wants to face Pereira next and the Brazilian took to social media to call for the bout. It made sense to the fans but according to Pereira, he says the fight won’t be happening.
What Happened to Michel Pereira vs Stephen Thompson?
“I went after it to see. I want to fight Thompson,” Pereira said to AGFight, “and Thompson also said he wanted to fight me, but for some reason, the UFC doesn’t want this fight.
“That’s what was passed on to my managers and they don’t say the reason for not closing this fight. I agreed to fight Thompson and Thompson agreed to fight me. The UFC doesn’t want to do this fight and I don’t know why. The UFC denied. I went after him, put my foot down, but the UFC says they won’t put me up to fight him. I do not know what is happening. I deserve it, I have five consecutive victories. All my fights sell a lot, I put on a show, I get bonuses. I deserved it, but they don’t want to close the fight.”
Michel Pereira vs Neil Magny Ordered for 2022
According to Pereira, after the promotion told him no to a Thompson fight, he was offered Neil Magny. The Brazilian says he would still rather face ‘Wonderboy’ but will take on Magny next time out.
“Now, we are in negotiation to face Magny,” Pereira added. “I didn’t want to fight him, but it was the guy with the ranking they gave me.”
“The way is to fight him and then I’ll ask. If I beat Magny, I’ll ask to fight Thompson in Rio. Ordered for late October or early November. I’ll take this fight with Magny. I didn’t want him, because I don’t think it’s fair for a guy like me, who’s been doing what he’s been doing in the organization, because I was top-14 and he was top-13, so I think they should give me a top-10, a top-8. I think the UFC should give me something better, but they don’t, they won’t and the way is to beat Magny anyway.”
Pereira (28-11-0, 2 NC) is on a five-fight winning streak after losing his first two UFC fights and coming off the win over Santiago Ponzinibbio by decision. On the win streak, he also has notable wins over Niko Price, Khaos Williams, and Andre Fialho.
Magny (26-10-0) suffered a submission loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov last time. Before that, he beat Max Griffin and Geoff Neal by decision.
