Michel Pereira Outlasts A Late Comeback From Niko Price – UFC 264

A pair of top-five welterweights in Gilbert Burns and Stephen Thompson clash in the co-main event inside a sold-out T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In a welterweight matchup, unranked fighters Niko Price (14-4-0, 2NC) and Michel Pereira (25-11-0, 2NC) are set to battle on the prelim fight card, which starts at 8 PM on ESPN2 and ESPN+.Price is coming off a No Contest against Donald Cerrone. After being deducted a point for several eye pokes in round one, it was declared a majority draw. Later it was overturned and made a No Contest when Price tested positive for Carboxy THC. A win over Michel Pereira Lima will put the American back in good graces with the UFC and could potentially prevent him from being cut by the Organization. Price entered this fight as an Underdog.

The Brazilian, Michel Pereira Lima, enters this bout with a wealth of cage experience. Lima is 2-1 in his last three fights, with wins over Williams and Imadaev. The loss came via a DQ to Diego Sanchez. Lima is capable of competing in the bout anywhere the geography of the fight may take these two athletes. A win will send him in the direction to earn a fight with a ranked opponent.

Round 1-

Technical Difficulties by ESPN. When the fight came back on, there was an eye poke and the fight was stopped. They continue. Pereira throws a kick and Price catches it and drives his foe into the cage. Putting pressure on, Pereira escapes away from the cage. Price throws a kick and it is caught by the Brazilian. Price is on his back and they stand back up. Pereira throws a body shot and then throws a head kick. Price locks him up in the clinch. Price controlling the center of the cage hunting down Pereira. Pereira landing some strikes. Catches Price again and pushes him to the canvas and waits for the referee to tell him to stand up. Price is bleeding from the exchange against the cage. Pereira through round being more effective with his strikes. Price looking for something as Pereira throws a wild head kick attempt. End of the round horn sounds.

Round 2-

Both fighters come out swinging with combinations. Price landing big kicks and then gets pushed onto his back. Pereira does a wild backflip into a full mount. On top, he’s looking for a head and arm triangle. After it doesn’t work, he tries some ground and pound. Staying in full mount, Pereira controlling the fight. Price gets back to his feet. Pereira has his back and after a scramble, Price nearly had a leg lock. Both fighters back to their feet now. Pereira looking fatigued at the end of the round as Price turned on the pressure.

Round 3-

Price comes out strong in round three. Pereira rocks Price in the nuts and the referee calls a time-out. Pereira gets a breather. Fight returns to action. Price put the pressure on again. Both fighters continue to exchange shots. Price is walking Pereira down, but struggling to land much. Pereira’s back against the cage as Price throwing strikes. Pereira goes for a takedown and Price rolls through using a Kimora. And they are back up. Price landing big strikes as it hits the halfway mark. Pereira going for a takedown and unable to get it as Price attacks and they throw mitts until the end of the fight.

A clear potential fight of the night bonus winner.

Official decision: Michel Pereira Lima def. Niko Price via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).