Stephen Thompson vs Michel Pereira UFC 291 7/29/2023 Prediction, Analysis, and Odds
After spending over a year on the sidelines, Michel “Demolidor” Pereira will make his Octagon comeback against Stephen Thompson at UFC 291 on July 29, 2023.
The Brazilian is not used to such a protracted break. Pereira is not used to waiting a long time to fight again. He often engages in three fights each year, according to Pereira. But eventually, the UFC discovered a rated opponent who could match Demolidor.
The “Wonderboy” Stephen Thompson will want to improve his 17-6-1 UFC record. The 40-year-old is 6’0″ tall, 170 pounds, and. The wingspan of the orthodox fighter is 75 inches. Michel “Demolidor” Pereira weighs 170 lbs. and is 6’1″ tall. The orthodox boxer hopes to increase his winning streak, now at 28-11-0 (2 NC). The 29-year-old possesses a 73-inch wingspan.
Stephen Thompson connects on 4.20 significant strikes per minute, whereas Michel Pereira connects on 5.09 significant strikes per minute. Pereira is connecting on 54% of his major strikes, while Thompson is connecting on 45%. “Wonderboy” permits 3.78 significant strikes per minute, but “Demolidor” only allows 3.04 significant strikes per minute. Pereira blocks 58% of the shots coming his him, and Thompson deflects 55% of the important hits his opponents hurl.
Stephen Thompson is less skilled than a wrestler regarding takedowns, as he only averages 0.27 takedowns per third. In 41% of his attempts, Thompson succeeds in taking the opponent down, and in 64% of his opponent’s takedown attempts, he fails. Pereira succeeds in 55% of his takedown attempts, while he fails in 94% of his opponents’ attempts. Pereira tries 0.6 finishes every three rounds, while Thompson tries 0.3 finishes every fifteen minutes when substituting the opposition.
In his recent fight, Stephen Thompson faced Kevin Holland and won through corner stoppage in round four. In the bout, Holland connected on 123 of the 214 total blows. During the evening, Thompson connected on 178 of his 278 total strikes. Holland finally managed to land 119 of the 210 major blows, giving him a rate of 56%. He ultimately succeeded in connecting on 52 of his big headshots. On the other side of the cage, Thompson ultimately connected on 163 of 260 big blows, landing 62%. He landed 103 of 192 of these critical hits targeted toward the head, a considerable number. 92% of Thompson’s critical strikes and 81% of Holland’s significant strikes were thrown from a distance.
Stephen Thompson vs Michel Pereira UFC 291 7/29/2023 Prediction, Analysis, and Odds
Pereira, who spent some of his training at Xtreme Couture, is particularly enthusiastic about the stylistic complement to “Wonderboy.” The Brazilian Blackbet continued that Demolidor enjoys entertaining the crowd, and grapplers try to avoid him when they’re up against him. Pereira asserted that Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson would not allow him to demonstrate his new abilities. Like himself, he has a black belt in karate. As a blackbelt in karate, Pereira is fully aware of what a karate fighter performs. He is skilled at neutralizing the opposition. Pereira adds that he is also a lot more well-rounded. Along with karate, the Brazilian style incorporates boxing, my form of fighting, muay thai, wrestling, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. I have the utmost regard for him as a martial artist and warrior, and I do not doubt that we will compete for the “Fight of the Night” prize.”
Pereira predicted that Paulo Costa would easily defeat Ikram Aliskerov among his fellow Brazilians at the UFC 291 event but that Alex Pereira would struggle against Jan Blachowicz.
“[Alex Pereira] won’t have the range advantage versus Blachowicz at light heavyweight—and we saw what [Blachowicz] did to Adesanya—he had at middleweight. I’m unsure if ‘Borrachinha,’ a Russian, will fight. However, Costa, one of the best strikers in the category, has excellent takedown defense, so I predict a convincing victory.
In his final fight, Michel Pereira faced off against Santiago Ponzinibbio and won through split decision in round three. Pereira hit 98% of the important blows he attempted from a distance, while Ponzinibbio ultimately connected on 98% of his significant attempts. Pereira ultimately made 110 out of 216 major blows, hitting 50%. Of the 143 considerable head blows he made, 52 were successful. In the battle, Ponzinibbio connected on 105 of 220 powerful blows. He made 78 of the 185 crucial head-directed hits he made. Ponzinibbio hit on 106 of the 221 shots he fired in this match, while Pereira finished with 110 of the 216 shots he attempted.
Stephen Thompson vs Michel Pereira. The final match between Stephen Thompson and Kevin Holland occurred on December 3, 2022. By technical knockout (TKO), Thompson prevailed. Pereira enters with a 28-11 (11 KO) record. His most recent match was a 3 round split decision victory over Santiago Ponzinibbio one year, two months, and eight days ago.
Both combatants use the orthodox posture. Thompson will be 40 years and five months old on the day of the battle. In 9 months, Pereira will turn 29 years old.
Stephen Thompson is 183 cm tall, but Michel Pereira is 2 centimeters higher at 185 cm. Although Thompson is the shorter boxer, Pereira’s reach is 6 cm less at 185 cm than Thompson’s 191 cm. Additionally, Thompson leads Pereira by 8 cm in terms of ape index.
Prediction: Stephen Thompson will win by unanimous decision.
Location: Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah
Date: Saturday, July 29, 2023
Main Card: 10:00 PM ET
Prelims: 8:00 PM ET
Watch on: ESPN and ESPN+
