Michel Pereira survives contentious split decision over Zachary Reese at UFC Houston
michel pereira earned a split decision nod over Zachary Reese in the main card opener at Toyota Center in Houston, snapping a three-fight skid but leaving the outcome under a cloud of controversy. The manner of the win matters now because three separate foul complaints, inconclusive replay review and public criticism have shaped how fans and fighters view the result.
Michel Pereira edges Zachary Reese in split decision
The bout opened the UFC Fight Night 267 main card and ultimately went to a split decision that ended michel pereira's run of defeats. Pereira entered the fight with a 31-14 MMA record and a 9-5 mark in the promotion, coming off losses to Anthony Hernandez, Abus Magomedov and Kyle Daukaus. His most recent victory before this night had been a first-round submission of Ihor Potieria at UFC 301.
Zach Reese fought with a 10-2 MMA ledger and a 4-2 UFC record, arriving on the heels of two wins and a no-contest since his last setback. Reese’s recent results included a decision win over Dusko Todorovic in May, an early stoppage against Sedriques Dumas that ended because of an accidental foul in September, and a second-round submission of Jackson McVey in November. The match was notable for the proximity between the competitors: both have spent time in the same training room at Xtreme Couture MMA in Las Vegas.
Three foul complaints: kicks below the belt and an eye-flinch
The fight was extended at points by three distinct instances in which Pereira complained of being fouled. The first two alleged incidents were kicks below the belt; a later episode involved Pereira flinching his eyes away from Reese’s extended fingers. Multiple replays were shown on the Paramount+ broadcast, but the images were inconclusive and did not produce an unmistakable ruling change or official reversal.
Fan and fighter reactions sharpen debate over the finish
Booing from the Toyota Center crowd accompanied the decision, and a number of fighters watching the action voiced skepticism about the legitimacy of Pereira’s reactions. UFC flyweight Cody Durden wrote on social media, “Pereira will milk anything you give him. Unreal, ” while Azamat Bekoev labeled Pereira “the winner of the best male actor award. ” Those public comments followed the inconclusive replay review and contributed to a post-fight narrative that questioned whether embellishment influenced officials or viewers.
Betting lines, expert pick and timing for the matchup
Oddsmakers and the betting public entered the fight favoring Pereira, listed at -160 on FanDuel while Reese was +130. MMA analyst Dan Tom offered a forecast that leaned to Pereira, citing the Brazilian’s experience and body work; Tom’s official pick was Pereira by club and submission in Round 1. As the main-card opener, the fighters were expected to walk to the cage at approximately 8: 10 p. m. ET, with the fight streaming on Paramount+.
Event context: other UFC Houston outcomes and lingering questions
The night also produced other notable outcomes: Melquizael Costa finished Dan Ige, becoming the first fighter to finish Ige in his career; Jacobe Smith extended his undefeated record with another finish; and Joselyne Edwards beat Nora Cornolle in a bout that observers said featured odd refereeing. What makes this notable is how a single controversial decision intersected with broader event storylines, drawing attention away from decisive finishes elsewhere on the card.
The immediate effect of the foul complaints was twofold: they lengthened portions of the matchup and shaped public perception of the victory, prompting boos inside Toyota Center and critical social-media reactions from fellow fighters. The broader implication is that a win which breaks a three-fight skid for Pereira will nevertheless be scrutinized in fans' and peers' minds until clearer replay standards or officiating outcomes emerge.
Unclear in the provided context: whether any formal protest or commission review will follow the decision.
