Michel Pereira is officially ready for his next chapter in professional mixed martial arts. Following his departure from the Ultimate Fighting Championship earlier this year, the dynamic veteran has secured a new promotional home and has already locked in his next marquee assignment. Pereira is scheduled to return to the cage on December 19, taking on Dana White’s Contender Series veteran In Su Hwang in a high-stakes middleweight bout.
The matchup will serve as a major feature for ZFN 5, a rapidly growing fight promotion spearheaded by South Korean MMA legend "The Korean Zombie" Chan Sung Jung. For fight fans eager to watch the next phase of Pereira’s career unfold outside of the UFC, the event will broadcast live internationally on UFC Fight Pass, ensuring global visibility for the promotional card.
Pereira enters this fresh chapter carrying a wealth of high-level experience and a well-earned reputation as one of the most unpredictable and entertaining athletes in the sport. The Brazilian fighter, who boasts a professional record of 32 wins, 15 losses, and two no-contests, hit free agency following a hard-fought and contentious decision loss to Shara Magomedov this past June.
That summer encounter proved to be a major talking point within the MMA community. The bout against the undefeated Russian striker, widely known as "Bullet," featured intense grappling exchanges that included a controversial moment where Magomedov grabbed Pereira’s hair. Despite the clear infraction, veteran referee Herb Dean did not issue any punishment, leaving Pereira at a distinct disadvantage during crucial sequences and ultimately contributing to the judges’ final decision in favor of Magomedov. Following the conclusion of his UFC contract and the lingering frustration from that summer bout, Pereira and the promotion parted ways, opening the door for new global opportunities.
For Pereira, stepping into the ZFN cage in South Korea marks a nostalgic and familiar homecoming. The 33-year-old athlete is no stranger to the South Korean combat sports landscape, having built a passionate following in the region long before he ever signed with the UFC. Earlier in his career, Pereira competed under the prestigious Road FC banner, where he established an impressive 3-0 record punctuated by a trio of explosive knockout finishes. His acrobatic style, unorthodox striking, and undeniable charisma made him an immediate fan favorite in Asia, setting the foundation for the global career that eventually brought him to the world’s premier MMA organization.
During his tenure with the UFC, Pereira firmly established himself as a dangerous threat across two distinct weight classes, compiling a commendable record of 10 wins and six losses inside the Octagon. Known initially for his wild, video-game-inspired cage flips and flying attacks, Pereira steadily evolved his skill set into a more disciplined, highly effective mixed martial arts style under the guidance of his coaching staff. Along the way, "Demolidor" secured a series of key victories over tough divisional stalwarts, adding high-profile names like Khaos Williams, Santiago Ponzinibbio, Michał Oleksiejczuk, and Niko Price to his professional resume. His ability to blend breathtaking athleticism with raw knockout power made him a reliable fixture on UFC cards, consistently delivering memorable moments for fans around the world.
Standing across the cage from Pereira on December 19 will be a formidable local favorite who is equally eager to make a statement on the global stage. In Su Hwang enters the matchup with a professional record of nine wins and two losses. A former Road FC middleweight champion, Hwang brings elite grappling credentials and championship experience to the ZFN ring.
The 32-year-old South Korean standout most recently headlined ZFN’s previous event this past May, delivering a stellar performance that culminated in a third-round technical knockout victory over Bellator and PFL veteran Alex Polizzi. That statement win re-established Hwang’s momentum after he narrowly missed out on securing a full-time UFC contract during his appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2025, where he dropped a hard-fought decision to Paddy McCorry. Facing a globally recognized veteran like Pereira represents the biggest opportunity of Hwang’s career, giving him the chance to prove that he belongs among the elite middleweights outside of the major North American promotions.
As ZFN 5 approaches, the matchup between Pereira and Hwang shapes up to be an explosive clash of styles and ambitions. With Pereira looking to bounce back and reassert his dominance on international soil, and Hwang aiming to secure the biggest victory of his career in front of a partisan home crowd, the middleweight showdown promises high drama when the cage door closes on December 19.
