UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang, set for August 23, 2025, at the Shanghai Indoor Stadium in Shanghai, features an intriguing middleweight clash between Brazilian wildman Michel Pereira and returning American submission specialist Kyle Daukaus. Both men bring very different styles, with Pereira’s unpredictable striking and explosiveness going up against Daukaus’ grappling-heavy approach.
Michel Pereira
Michel Pereira (31–13, 2 NC) is one of the most unpredictable fighters in the UFC. Known for his flashy techniques, explosive athleticism, and creative striking, Pereira has built a reputation as one of the most entertaining competitors in the sport. A professional since 2011, he has competed across multiple promotions, including Road FC, XFC, Jungle Fight, and SBC, where he was a welterweight champion.
Pereira’s UFC run has been defined by both highlight-reel wins and frustrating inconsistencies. After moving up to middleweight in late 2023, he scored three straight finishes, including first-round stoppages of Andre Petroski and Michał Oleksiejczuk, showing new power and efficiency at 185 pounds. However, he has since hit turbulence, dropping consecutive fights to Anthony Hernandez and Abusupiyan Magomedov.
Pereira has 20 career finishes, with 11 wins by knockout and 9 by submission. His creativity makes him dangerous from any position, but his tendency to fade under pressure has cost him in the past.
Michel Pereira – Last 5 Fights:
1. Loss vs. Abusupiyan Magomedov – Decision (Unanimous) – UFC on ESPN, Apr 26, 2025
2. Loss vs. Anthony Hernandez – TKO (Elbows) – UFC FN, Oct 19, 2024
3. Win vs. Ihor Potieria – Submission (Guillotine Choke) – UFC 301, May 4, 2024
4. Win vs. Michał Oleksiejczuk – Technical Submission (RNC) – UFC 299, Mar 9, 2024
5. Win vs. Andre Petroski – TKO (Punches) – UFC FN, Oct 14, 2023
Pereira’s keys to victory will be keeping the fight standing, using his unpredictability to frustrate Daukaus, and landing heavy shots before grappling exchanges can develop.
Kyle Daukaus
Kyle Daukaus (15–4, 1 NC) makes his UFC return after a dominant run back in Cage Fury Fighting Championships, where he reclaimed and defended the middleweight title. A two-time CFFC champion, Daukaus is a grappling specialist with 11 of his 15 victories coming by submission, including a trademark brabo choke that he has repeatedly used throughout his career.
Daukaus’ first UFC stint saw flashes of promise, including a submission win over Jamie Pickett, but inconsistency and tough matchups led to setbacks against Roman Dolidze, Phil Hawes, and Eryk Anders. After leaving the promotion, he rebuilt himself with four straight wins in CFFC, capped by a first-round knockout of Keanan Patershuk in June 2024.
He returns to the UFC looking to prove he belongs among the middleweight elite, and his clearest path to victory will be closing distance, dragging Pereira to the mat, and hunting for submissions before the Brazilian can dictate the pace.
Kyle Daukaus – Last 5 Fights:
1. Win vs. Keanan Patershuk – KO (Punches) – CFFC 132, Jun 14, 2024
2. Win vs. Sean Connor Fallon – Submission (Brabo Choke) – CFFC 129, Feb 9, 2024
3. Win vs. Gregg Ellis – Decision (Unanimous) – CFFC 124, Sep 2, 2023
4. Win vs. Robert Gidron – Submission (RNC) – CFFC 120, Jun 16, 2023
5. Loss vs. Eryk Anders – TKO (Punches) – UFC on ESPN, Dec 3, 2022
Daukaus’ keys to victory will be weathering Pereira’s early offense, forcing clinch exchanges, and working for dominant grappling positions to exploit Pereira’s questionable defensive tendencies on the mat.
Prediction
This is a classic striker versus grappler matchup. Pereira thrives in chaos, with explosive striking and unorthodox attacks that can overwhelm opponents early. Daukaus, however, is built to neutralize that explosiveness with clinch pressure and grappling control.
The question is whether Daukaus can survive the unpredictable first round and drag Pereira into a grind. If the fight stays on the feet, Pereira’s speed and power should allow him to outstrike Daukaus. If it goes to the ground, Daukaus has the clear edge in submission threats and control.
Both men are inconsistent, but Pereira’s recent improvements at middleweight and his dynamic finishing ability make him the more dangerous fighter. Daukaus will test him with takedown attempts, but Pereira’s explosiveness and ability to snatch submissions of his own could turn scrambles in his favor.
Prediction: Michel Pereira def. Kyle Daukaus via TKO (Punches) – Round 2
A win would help Pereira rebound after back-to-back losses and keep him relevant in the middleweight division, while Daukaus has a chance to make a statement in his UFC return.