Middleweights are set to slug it out at the UFC’s debut at Sphere.
A person with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed to MMA Fighting that a matchup between Michel Pereira and Anthony Hernandez has been added to UFC 306, which the UFC has rebranded Riyadh Season Noche UFC, on Sept. 14 at the Las Vegas venue. Pereira first announced the bout on Instagram.
Since making the move to middleweight, Pereira has been on an absolute tear — going 3-0 in just over three minutes of octagon time. “Demolidor” is set to make his fourth appearance since October 2023 after earning quick finishes of Ihor Potieria, Michal Oleksiejczuk, and Andre Petroski, earning him the No. 12 spot in MMA Fighting’s Global Rankings.
Hernandez has been one of the division’s surging contenders as he enters the contest with an impressive five-fight win streak. In his most recent outing, “Fluffy” submitted Roman Kopylov in the second round at February’s UFC 298 event. The No. 15 ranked middleweight in MMA Fighting’s Global Rankings was set to face Roman Dolidze at UFC 302 in June, but withdrew due to injury.
