Michel Pereira Books First Fight Since UFC Exit Against Hwang at ZFN 5

Michel Pereira has locked in his first bout since parting ways with the UFC, signing on to meet Contender Series veteran In Su Hwang at middleweight on December 19. The fight headlines Chan Sung Jung's ZFN promotion, with ZFN 5 streaming live on UFC Fight Pass, according to MMA Fighting. The 33-year-old Brazilian became a free agent in June after dropping a decision to Shara Magomedov in a match marred by controversy, when Magomedov repeatedly grabbed Pereira's hair during grappling exchanges with no intervention from referee Herb Dean. Pereira is returning to familiar territory in South Korea, where he went 3-0 with three knockout finishes under the Road FC banner before his UFC run. He compiled a 10-6 record across two weight classes in the UFC, with wins over Khaos Williams, Santiago Ponzinibbio, Michal Oleksiejczuk and Niko Price, and built a reputation as one of the division's most unpredictable entertainers. The ZFN 5 card also features former UFC fighter Edson Barboza, who booked a battle match against Rashid Magomedov for ACBJJ 23 on November 13 after retiring from the UFC in August following four straight losses. For Pereira, December 19 offers a fresh start and a headline slot in a market where he has already proved he can thrill a crowd.