High flying welterweight MIchel Pereira (23-11, 10 KOs, 6 SUBs) will meet Russian knockout artist Zelim Imadaev (8-2, 8 KOs) at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Sakai on Saturday, September 5, 2020 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Headlining the night is a heavyweight contest featuring MMA legend Alistair OVereem (46-18, 24 KOs, 17 SUBs) and hard-hitting prospect Agusto Sakai (15-1, 11 KOs). Also on the card is a women’s flyweight tilt between Viviane Araujo (8-2, 3 KO, 4 SUBs) and Montana De La Rosa (11-5, 8 SUBs). Let’s dive deeper into Pereira vs. Imadaev and go through your best UFC betting options.
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Michel Pereira (23-11, 10 KOs, 6 SUBs)
It’s been fascinating to watch Pereira’s career play out inside the octagon. The Brazilian is big and ripped for a welterweight at 6’1”, and possesses the type of explosive athleticism most fighters can only dream of. However, Periera never could really distinguish himself in regional competition...then he went to South Korea. The Brazilian flipped a switch and decided that no matter what, he’d entertain at all cost, win or lose. It worked out in his favor, as he backflipped, jumping kneed, and threw every spinning strike in the book en route to some viral performances. That punched his ticket to the UFC, where the good times continued in his debut when he knocked out Danny Roberts in the first round.
But the same characteristics that could make Pereira a star also invited major scorn. In a scrap against a late notice opponent in Tristan Connelly (who usually fights at lightweight), Pereira broke out in an impromptu floor routine that would’ve made Simone Biles proud. Then he gassed out and lost a decision in a fight he probably should’ve won. It became clear that his antics weren’t appreciated when he was booed for dancing during his walkout against Diego Sanchez. It didn’t help that he was later DQ’d for an illegal knee - though Diego appeared to take the easy way out.
Pereira is as polarizing as they come, but he’s never boring. The high-flying attacks, the recklessness, the obsessive need to entertain makes him must-watch television. The question is if he’ll ever take it seriously enough to become a real player. Remember, he’s still only 26.
Zelim Imadaev (8-2, 8 KOs)
It’s hard not to get excited about dudes that are 8-0 with 8 knockouts. That’s who the UFC signed in Imadaev when they ported the Russian over from Fight Nights Global. It didn’t matter that the 25-year old had only faced low-level competition up that point - most of his TKOs had come in the first round. There will always be room for knockout artists in a sport where entertainment is king.
Reality has caught up quickly to Imadaev. His UFC debut came against Max Griffin - not an easy opponent. Imadaev suffered his first career loss in a close battle. His next fight didn’t get any easier, as Imadaev was knocked out in the first round by the underrated Danny Roberts.
As a brawler, the type of fight Pereira brings should be right up Imadaev’s alley, but the Russian has struggled against UFC talent. It’s time to find out if he belongs inside the octagon.
Significant Striking Stats
Strikes landed per minute: Pereira 3.04 / Imadaev 3.69
Striking accuracy: Pereira 51% / Imadaev 41%
Strikes absorbed per minute: Pereira 3.04 / Imadaev 3.37
Striking defense: Pereira 52% / Imadaev 45%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Pereira 2.00 / Imadaev 0.6
Takedown accuracy: Pereira 57% / Imadaev 50%
Takedown defense: Pereira 100% / Imadaev 63%
Submission average: Pereira 0.0 / Imadaev 0.0
UFC Picks
This is the safest bet we can think of. While we lean on Pereira to take this fight, both men are simply too inconsistent to back. What we do know is that they are both risk takers who like to hunt for finishes, which means that a stoppage is highly likely. It’s not cheap, but this prop is a safe bet.
UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Sakai Card & Odds
Heavyweight: Augusto Sakai +118 vs. Alistair Overeem -142
Light Heavyweight: Ovince Saint Preux +113 vs. Alonzo Menifield -137
Welterweight: Zelim Imadaev -113 vs. Michel Pereira -110
Middleweight: Andre Muniz +119 vs. Bartosz Fabinski -142
Lightweight: Jalin Turner +154 vs. Thiago Moises -186
Bantamweight: Cole Smith +176 vs. Hunter Azure -213
Women's Flyweight: Montana De La Rosa +154 vs. Viviane Araujo -186
Lightweight: Khama Worthy -127 vs. Ottman Azaitar +103
Heavyweight: Alexander Romanov -117 vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima -107
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