Sharabutdin Magomedov slams Michel Pereira as 'hypocrite'

Sharabutdin Magomedov fired at Michel Pereira this week, calling his UFC Baku opponent a hypocrite over the Brazilian's past support of Israel and subsequent dog rescue efforts.

Magomedov, who faces Pereira in a middleweight bout Saturday at the National Gymnastics Arena in Azerbaijan, took issue with Pereira carrying the Israeli flag after stopping Andre Petroski in 2023. The fighter known as Shara Bullet told Red Corner MMA that Pereira displayed the flag during the Gaza conflict and later chased social media clout by saving dogs from Brazilian floods.

Magomedov questions Pereira's motives after Israel walkout

"In my eyes, he's a hypocrite," Magomedov said, per Sherdog. "To raise the flag of Israel after the fight [the state] that, in front of billions of people, committed genocide against Gaza, against kids and women. And at the very moment when the whole world condemned it, he raised the flag of Israel. Then he went to Brazil to rescue dogs from a flood."

Magomedov claimed the dog rescue was a publicity stunt, noting that Pereira's most popular Instagram post features the animal work. The Dagestani fighter added that Pereira was notably absent when floods hit his own region in April.

Pereira has said he carried the Israeli flag because of friends in the country and after seeing videos of children affected by the conflict. The Brazilian snapped a three-fight skid with an upset of Zachary Reese. Magomedov rebounded from his sole pro loss to Michael Page by beating Marc-Andre Barriault and enters Saturday 16-1.

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• Sherdog — 'Shara Bullet' slams 'hypocrite' Michel Pereira ahead of UFC Baku fight