Michel Pereira’s ‘insane’ backflip move sends UFC world wild

Brazilian fighter Michel Pereira has stunned the Las Vegas crowd with this “incredible” move against welterweight rival Niko Price.

Michel Pereira's backflip at UFC 264.

UFC fans were left in awe following Sunday’s preliminary fight between Niko Price and Michel Pereira in Las Vegas — and rightfully so.

Both fighters gave it their all throughout the bout at UFC 264, which Pereira ultimately won via unanimous decision, judges scoring the contest 29-28 x 3. It was his third consecutive victory in the Octagon.

Watch Poirier v McGregor 3 at UFC 264 live on Main Event, available on Foxtel and Kayo on Sunday 11 July at 12pm AEST. ORDER NOW >

The clash was highlight by Pereira’s crazy backflip move in the second round, which sent the MMA community into a frenzy. After Price fell onto the deck, the Brazilian spun around and perfectly pulled off the backflip, landing on top of his opponent and kicking him in the head.

The Las Vegas crowd went berserk, as did social media.

“That’s incredible,” Jon Anik said on ESPN commentary.

Former MMA star Daniel Cormier added: “He’s backflipped into full mount. This dude is out of his mind.”

READ MORE: Backstage clip reveals McGregor blow-up

UFC 264: LIVE BLOG

Michel Pereira did ANOTHER mid-fight backflip! 😨 #UFC264pic.twitter.com/EPj6hEUYb7

— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) July 11, 2021

I don't even care about real scoring right now. If you can backflip into mount, you won. lol. 20-18, Pereira here. Price needs a finish. #UFC264

— Heidi Fang (@HeidiFang) July 11, 2021

Michel Pereira provides exactly what this crowd was looking for with that insane flip into full mount. #UFC264

— Brian Campbell (@BCampbell) July 11, 2021

Michael Pereira it’s a true showman 🙌 #UFC264

— Thiago Moisés (@ThiagoMoisesMMA) July 11, 2021

Absolutely wild. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

This wasn’t the first time the Brazilian showman had attempted the bold move – Pereira tried something similar against Tristan Connelly in September 2019, but it didn’t end as well for him.

He had also performed a backflip at the UFC 264 weigh-in the previous day.

Price and Pereira threw wild swings during a chaotic final 15 seconds of the third round, but the latter was rightfully adjudicated the most dominant competitor.

The 27-year-old celebrated the victory by giving his opponent a piggyback around the Octagon in the ultimate sign of respect.

Pereira then seemingly called out welterweight fighter Nate Diaz, proclaiming: “Hey Nate, I’m here. Let’s fight.”

🇧🇷 @UFCPereira gets the UD! How did you score that one?! #UFC264pic.twitter.com/xGdhVsQNvj

— UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) July 11, 2021