‘Refereeing errors modified the final result of my profession’

Michel Pereira was recently cut from the promotion after his loss at UFC Qatar.

This past June, the premier MMA promotion returned to Azerbaijan for UFC Baku, and featuring on the cardboard was a middleweight clash between Shara Magomedov and Michel Pereira.

Magomedov picked up the unanimous decision win nevertheless it didn’t come without its controversy as he fouled the Brazilian several times throughout.

And following the fight, Pereira launched a petition to ban Herb Dean, who was accountable for the motion.

Is it time for Herb Dean to retire from his referee role?

Pereira pursuing legal assist in getting UFC Baku loss overturned

Despite launching the petition, unfortunately for Pereira it made no difference and he was subsequently cut from the promotion after suffering his fourth loss in five fights.

He was, though, supported by his compatriot Alex Pereira who called out the UFC for dropping ‘The Demolidor’ for Herb Dean’s errors.

And now just a number of weeks faraway from what was his final fight within the UFC, the 32-year-old has revealed that he’s attempting to get his UFC Baku loss overturned.

“Every thing happened the way in which it happened, and I’m very grateful. You’ll never hear me badmouthing them because they treated me well, and I fulfilled my dream of fighting there. I pulled off techniques in that Octagon that no one else will ever duplicate,” he began to inform Ignition Poker Brazil (h/t HeavySports).

“Nonetheless, I’m still actively pushing behind the scenes with my lawyer to get the results of my last fight reviewed. It’s one thing when an accidental eye poke or a low blow happens within the heat of a fight. But for my part, Shara pulled my hair thrice. Herb Dean warned him but never deducted some extent,” he continued.

Magomedov was actually praised by his former teammate Valter Walker for pulling Pereira’s hair, revealing that he used to do it to him after they used to coach.

“Based on the scorecards, a single point deduction would have made the fight a 28-28 draw. I firmly imagine that refereeing errors completely modified the final result of my profession.

“It frustrates me deeply because commissions and referees all the time lecture us on the principles backstage, but then they did not implement them when it mattered most. I’ve had nearly fifty fights; I do know the principles. Referees just have to do their jobs consistently.”

It’s unclear whether a draw would’ve spared the Brazilian’s profession or if the UFC would’ve cut him if he didn’t rating a win.