‘Shara Bullet’ Calls Michel Pereira a ‘Hypocrite,’ Admits Sean Strickland’s UFC Title Win Still Baffles Him
Shara Magomedov didn't hold back on his upcoming opponent in Saturday's UFC Baku main event.
Sharabutdin Magomedov, aka “Shara Bullet,” ahead of his clash with Michel Pereira at UFC Baku, has once again blasted the Brazilian with sharp words.
“The Bullet” enters fight week looking to build momentum after rebounding from the first defeat of his professional career. As the countdown to Saturday's event continues, much of the conversation surrounding Magomedov has centered on his sharp words rather than his spinning attacks.
From accusing Pereira of seeking social media attention through humanitarian efforts to admitting that Sean Strickland's unlikely rise to UFC gold still catches him off guard, Magomedov recently offered a glimpse into how he views some of the middleweight division's most recognizable names.
Shara Bullet Brands Michel Pereira Hypocrite Ahead of UFC Baku
Magomedov is scheduled to meet Pereira in a pivotal middleweight contest this weekend at UFC Baku, but the Russian has already fired some verbal shots before the official opening bell.
During an interview with Red Corner MMA, Magomedov criticized Pereira over his public support for Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. For the unversed, the Brazilian notably carried the Israeli flag to the Octagon following his knockout victory over Andre Petroski in 2023, later explaining that he has close Israeli friends and was emotionally affected after seeing videos involving children caught in the conflict.
Magomedov, however, was unconvinced. "In my eyes, he's a hypocrite," Magomedov said. "To raise the flag of Israel after the fight, the state that, in front of billions of people, committed genocide against Gaza, against kids and women, and at the very moment when the whole world condemned it, he raised the flag of Israel."
The 32-year-old also took aim at Pereira's efforts to rescue dogs during devastating floods in Brazil, suggesting the acts were motivated more by publicity than compassion - "Honestly, if he only really cared about dogs, it would have been a different story," he said. "But he is just farming likes on Instagram. By rescuing dogs, he's just chasing Instagram hype and likes."
He even joked that Pereira's services would have been useful in Dagestan, which was affected by severe flooding earlier this year. If anything, the remarks have injected another captivating storyline into Saturday's matchup.
Magomedov Says Sean Strickland's Title Reign Still Surprises Him
During the same conversation, Magomedov also shared his thoughts on former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland, whose recent sparring attempts to imitate the Russian's flashy striking style reportedly failed to impress him.
"I don't think he can do it like me," Magomedov told Red Corner MMA. "But it was kind of an imitation. A pale imitation, though. It would be very different in an actual fight."
That said, Magomedov acknowledged Strickland's dedication and natural ability, but he admitted the American's championship success still feels unexpected.
"I always get surprised when fighters like him become champions," he saihttps://x.com/RedCorner_MMA/status/2068746650890178854?s=20d. At the same time, the Russian was careful not to completely dismiss Strickland's accomplishments, praising the former titleholder's work ethic and describing him as a "hard worker" possessing "native talent."
Magomedov then turned the discussion back toward himself, asking fans whether they believed he had what it takes to eventually dethrone Strickland and claim UFC gold.
Should he emerge victorious in Baku, Magomedov's blunt personality and highlight-reel fighting style could quickly elevate him to the stature of one of the middleweight division's most compelling contenders to watch.
