Shara Bullet explains UFC Baku comeback over Michel Pereira

Shara Magomedov survived a heavy knockdown in the opening round at UFC Baku on Saturday before rallying to beat Michel Pereira by unanimous decision.

The middleweight co-main event turned early when Pereira dropped Magomedov with a right hand. Magomedov recovered to take control over the final two rounds, outworking Pereira to secure his second consecutive win.

Magomedov's mindset after the knockdown

Speaking to reporters after the fight, Magomedov explained his approach once he hit the canvas. "I was coming out there knowing that he would have to kill me to get me out of there," he said through an interpreter, per MMA Fighting. "I was ready to die in that octagon. I missed that right, was waiting for that right, I was hoping to get him on that right, and then I end up missing that right."

Magomedov saw opportunity in Pereira's aggression after the knockdown. He tried to catch Pereira overcommitting on the finish and turn the momentum. The second and third rounds slowed considerably, with Pereira switching to a wrestling-heavy game plan rather than stand and trade.

Magomedov said every opponent has tried to wrestle him since his UFC debut. Fighters wait for him to throw combinations, hoping to counter with a takedown or land a home run punch. He adjusted by simplifying his output, throwing single strikes instead of full combinations. Magomedov landed a knee he thought would end the fight but had to keep searching for the finish when Pereira survived.

Now riding his first win streak since late 2024, Magomedov said he wants a ranked opponent next. He passed on calling out Israel Adesanya, leaving that fight to teammate Abus Magomedov. "Whoever the UFC gives me, I'm ready to fight them," he said. "Anybody from top 15, top 10, even top 5, I'm ready for everybody."

Original reporting:

• mmafighting.com — Shara Bullet breaks down UFC Baku comeback victory over Michel Pereira: ‘He would have to kill me’ | MMA Fighting