Michel Pereira just landed one of the wildest finishing sequences in history at UFC 301 on May 4th, 2024 as he hit a backflip pass into north-south and transitioned into a guillotine choke to get the submission win. Although the sequence might have looked incredible, the backflip that started it all wasn’t without a little bit of controversy either. Pereira successfully flipped over Ihor Potieria’s guard but he didn’t quite stick the landing, as he ended up landing what could be considered an illegal knee to his opponent’s head. It obviously wasn’t intentional but the impact of the knee on Potieria’s head was obvious and it may well have had an effect on his decision-making immediately after it.
Pereira landed in north-south after the backflip pass and immediately started to land some shots to Potieira’s head and body, forcing him to turn to his knees in order to protect himself. Potieira then tried to wrestle up while still keeping himself safe from strikes, but he walked straight into Pereira’s guillotine in the process. Although he got fully back to his feet it was far too late unfortunately and Pereira had sunk in the choke even tighter, forcing him to tap. Potieiria might have an argument that an illegal knee was landed but given that the officials appeared to discuss the knee before announcing the decision and Pereira was awarded a ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus, it seems highly unlikely the UFC would overturn the win.
UFC 301 Full Results
Alexandre Pantoja defeats Stephen Erceg via Decision – Unanimous (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
Pantoja retains the UFC flyweight world championship
Jose Aldo defeats Jonathan Martinez via Decision – Unanimous (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Anthony Smith defeats Vitor Petrino via Submission – Guillotine Choke (Round 1, 2:00)
Michel Pereira defeats Ihor Potieria via Submission – Guillotine Choke (Round 1, 0:54)
Caio Borralho defeats Paul Craig via KO – Punches (Round 2, 2:10)
Preliminary Card
Joanderson Brito defeats Jack Shore via TKO – Doctor Stoppage (Round 2, 3:35)
Iasmin Lucindo defeats Karolina Kowalkiewicz via Decision – Unanimous (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Myktybek Orolbai defeats Elves Brener via Decision – Unanimous (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
Drakker Klose defeats Joaquim Silva via Decision – Unanimous (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Mauricio Ruffy defeats Jamie Mullarkey via TKO – Punches (Round 1, 4:42)
Dione Barbosa defeats Ernesta Kareckaite via Decision – Unanimous (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Ismael Bonfim defeats Vinc Pinchel via Decision – Unanimous (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Alessandro Costa defeats Kevin Borjas via TKO – Punches (Round 2, 1:35)
The footage of the backflip pass and subsequent guillotine choke submission that Michel Pereira landed at UFC 301 was uploaded to Twitter:
Michel Pereira may be the most exciting fighter in the sport pic.twitter.com/OvyDkPMsH8
— 𝗖𝗢𝗔𝗖𝗛 𝗠𝗖𝗚𝗨𝗜𝗥𝗞🏝🥃 (@CoachMcGuirkMMA) May 5, 2024