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ZFN CEO Chung Chan-sung confirmed Michel Pereira vs. Hwang In-su at middleweight for ZFN 05 on Dec. 19 in Incheon; he calls it a must-win for both.
From 15 reports by 12 outletsLatest ZFN's Chung confirms Pereira vs. Hwang In-su for ZFN 05 on Dec. 19 ·12 outlets
What we know
- Pereira's last UFC fight was a unanimous-decision loss to Shara Magomedov on June 27.
- ZFN CEO Chung Chan-sung (Korean Zombie) confirmed in a video on his channel that Michel Pereira fights Hwang In-su in a middleweight bout at ZFN 05 on Dec. 19 in Incheon; he called it a 'guillotine match' for both men (translated).
- Chung says many fighters from Japan and China wanted to face Hwang but he chose Pereira for Hwang's future, calling it probably Hwang's last chance at the UFC (translated).
Reported, not confirmed
- Laerte Viana reported on Oct. 27 that Pereira signed with Z Fight Night for a December debut; MK Sports' Kang Dae-ho reported the Hwang matchup a day later. MiddleEasy
Disputed
- The venue is Naver Arena (formerly Inspire Arena) in Incheon per Rank5; an earlier report named Incheon Samsan World Gymnasium. Rank5 / MK Sports via MiddleEasy
Michel Pereira's next chapter may be in South Korea, where he would reconnect with the region that helped launch his career. Brazilian journalist Laerte Viana reported on Oct. 27 that the middleweight signed with Z Fight Night, the promotion led by Chan Sung Jung, the Korean Zombie, with a debut planned for December.
Viana's post gave no opponent, event or contract length. A day later, MK Sports journalist Kang Dae-ho reported that Pereira will meet Hwang In-su at ZFN 05 at Incheon Samsan World Gymnasium. Hwang, per Kang, is a former Road FC middleweight champion who appeared on Dana White's Contender Series in September 2025. Kang also says Pereira won three straight Road FC fights before entering the UFC, and that his representatives explored a deal with Croatia's FNC, with better pay a priority. No final ZFN contract figure has been made public.
The move follows a rough run. Pereira, 33, lost a three-round unanimous decision to Shara Magomedov on June 27. Before that he beat Zachary Reese by split decision in February, after Kyle Daukaus knocked him out in 43 seconds the previous August. That loss came after defeats to Abus Magomedov and Anthony Hernandez, leaving him with one win in his last five.
It was not always so. Pereira had earlier put together three straight first-round finishes over Andre Petroski, Michal Oleksiejczuk and Ihor Potieria, and he also beat Khaos Williams and Santiago Ponzinibbio on the scorecards. He debuted in the UFC in May 2019 with a knockout of Danny Roberts. The UFC's athlete page currently lists him as not fighting, with a 32-15 record.
What to watch: an official ZFN announcement. Until the promotion confirms the signing, the date and the Hwang matchup, both remain reports from individual journalists.
Viana's post gave no opponent, event or contract length. A day later, MK Sports journalist Kang Dae-ho reported that Pereira will meet Hwang In-su at ZFN 05 at Incheon Samsan World Gymnasium. Hwang, per Kang, is a former Road FC middleweight champion who appeared on Dana White's Contender Series in September 2025. Kang also says Pereira won three straight Road FC fights before entering the UFC, and that his representatives explored a deal with Croatia's FNC, with better pay a priority. No final ZFN contract figure has been made public.
The move follows a rough run. Pereira, 33, lost a three-round unanimous decision to Shara Magomedov on June 27. Before that he beat Zachary Reese by split decision in February, after Kyle Daukaus knocked him out in 43 seconds the previous August. That loss came after defeats to Abus Magomedov and Anthony Hernandez, leaving him with one win in his last five.
It was not always so. Pereira had earlier put together three straight first-round finishes over Andre Petroski, Michal Oleksiejczuk and Ihor Potieria, and he also beat Khaos Williams and Santiago Ponzinibbio on the scorecards. He debuted in the UFC in May 2019 with a knockout of Danny Roberts. The UFC's athlete page currently lists him as not fighting, with a 32-15 record.
What to watch: an official ZFN announcement. Until the promotion confirms the signing, the date and the Hwang matchup, both remain reports from individual journalists.
- Summary
- ZFN CEO Chung Chan-sung confirmed Michel Pereira vs. Hwang In-su at middleweight for ZFN 05 on Dec. 19 in Incheon; he calls it a must-win for both.
- Key points (one per line)
- Chung Chan-sung said on his channel that Pereira fights Hwang In-su at ZFN 05 on Dec. 19.
He called it a 'guillotine match' and probably Hwang's last chance at the UFC (translated).
Pereira's last UFC fight was a unanimous-decision loss to Shara Magomedov on June 27.
- Also reported by (Name | URL per line)
- MiddleEasy | https://middleeasy.com/mma-news/michel-pereira-zfn-signing-december-laerte-viana/
Rank5 | https://www.rank5.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=21000
Recorte da Luta | https://recortedaluta.com.br/2026/10/29/apos-saida-do-ufc-brasileiro-michel-pereira-assina-com-organizacao-asiatica-segundo-jornalista-saiba-mais/
Pos-Luta | https://posluta.com/michel-pereira-deve-estrear-na-coreana-zfn-contra-o-ex-campeao-hwang-in-su-em-dezembro/
Rank5 | https://www.rank5.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=21029
Bloody Elbow | https://bloodyelbow.com/2026/11/02/michel-pereira-books-first-fight-since-arguing-his-last-ufc-bout-was-compromised-by-herb-dean/
MMA Fighting | https://www.mmafighting.com/latest-news/519139/michel-pereira-books-first-mma-fight-since-ufc-departure
Combat Sports UK | https://combatsportsuk.com/news/9a5ea208-6545-4899-b325-0ff0415d1611/michel-pereira-in-su-hwang-zfn-5-first-fight-since-ufc-exit
Knockout Daily | https://knockoutdaily.com/news/michel-pereira-lands-on-korean-zombies-card-after-blasting-herb-dean
FightTime.ru | https://fighttime.ru/news/item/44612-mishelyu-perejre-naznachen-pervyj-boj-posle-uvolnenie-iz-ufc.html
Kimura | https://www.kimura.se/michel-pereira-klar-for-mma-match-efter-kontroversiellt-avsked-fran-ufc/
Blood & Sweat | https://www.bloodandsweat.ru/2026/11/mishel-perejra-poluchil-pervyj-boj-posle-uvolneniya-iz-ufc/
Pos-Luta | https://posluta.com/michel-pereira-acerta-com-promocao-do-korean-zombie-e-estreia-contra-sul-coreano-em-dezembro/
MMA Mania | https://www.mmamania.com/international-mma-news-results/483884/hes-back-michel-pereira-books-first-post-ufc-fight-for-dec-19-in-south-korea
Knockout Daily | https://knockoutdaily.com/news/michel-pereira-goes-back-to-where-it-all-started-after-his-messy-ufc-exit
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