Stephen Thompson Posts Statement Following Cancellation of Michel Pereira Bout
Stephen Thompson (photo via UFC / YouTube)
By FCF Staff
Stephen Thompson has shared out a statement, in which the welterweight’s outlined why he and his camp have declined to fight Michel Pereira tonight, after the latter missed weight Friday.
Pereira came in several pounds over the welterweight limit for the planned fight, as he tipped the scales at 174 pounds. Eventually, it was announced that the bout has been called off.
Since then, Thompson posted the statement below.
The 40-year-old Thompson (17-6-1) is coming off a TKO win over Kevin Holland in December, after dropping back-to-back bouts to Gilbert Burns and Belal Muhammad.
The 29-year-old Pereira (28-11-2) hasn’t competed since May, 2022, when he recorded a split decision win over Santiago Ponzinibbio. Pereira also missed weight for a 2019, UFC bout with Tristan Connelly, which he lost via unanimous decision.
UFC 291 will take place in Salt Lake City and will be headlined by a lightweight fight between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje.
