Shara Magomedov collar ties Michel Pereira at UFC Baku weigh-ins

Shara Magomedov grabbed Michel Pereira in a collar tie during UFC Baku ceremonial weigh-ins Friday, forcing security to step between the co-main event fighters ahead of their Saturday bout at National Gymnastics Arena.

According to MMA Mania, Magomedov initiated contact with Pereira during the traditional staredown, wrapping his hand around the Brazilian's neck in what appeared to be a deliberate escalation. Security personnel quickly intervened to separate the middleweights before the exchange could turn into a full altercation. The incident stands in technical violation of UFC conduct rules for ceremonial weigh-ins, though the promotion has historically issued few actual penalties for such contact.

Magomedov wanted Pereira fight for years

The Russian told UFC.com he had pursued the matchup for some time, even when Pereira was riding an eight-fight winning streak. "I'm happy that it will happen in Baku, because it's a very close location to Dagestan," Magomedov said, per the report. "I will show what Kafkas is — the spirit of Kafkas."

The co-main event has drawn less attention than usual for a UFC international card, squeezed between last week's UFC White House event and next week's UFC 329, which marks Conor McGregor's return to the octagon. Rafael Fiziev and Manuel Torres headline Saturday's card on Paramount Plus.

UFC Baku begins at 1 p.m. ET Saturday from Baku, Azerbaijan.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Video: UFC Baku staredowns get physical after Shara Bullet collar ties Michel Pereira, security intervenes