UFC 301 is just around the corner and the Brazilian fans are super excited about the event. After the successful completion of UFC 300, the UFC fans can expect another blockbuster event. The main event of the night will feature Ihor Potieria taking on Michel Pereira and the fight has drawn considerable attention. This will be Potieria’s second appearance in the middleweight division.

The 27-year-old is one of the most exciting fighters in the division and is currently on a winning streak. His aggressive fighting style and impressive ‘nickname’ have caught the attention of many. Before his next big fight, let us find out the real meaning of his nickname ‘Duelist’.

Why is Ihor Potieria called ‘Duelist’?

Most fighters in the UFC have some sort of nicknames that help them catch the attention of the fans and Ihor Potieria is no different. The Ukranian is called ‘Duelist’, which is evident in his matches. Although there is not much information about his nickname, the 27-year-old has caught the attention of many because of his nickname. After his UFC 283 win against Mauricio Rua, he explained the meaning behind his name during the press conference and said, as quoted by MMA Fighting, “My nickname is Duelist, and that was a duel”.

He was last seen inside the Octagon at UFC Fight Night against Robert Bryczek. The Ukrainian won the fight via unanimous decision, thus ending his two-fight losing streak. However, he will have to be at his best against his next opponent, Michel Pereira. This will be the Brazilian’s second fight in the middleweight division. He previously competed in the light heavyweight division, but it now seems he has finally decided to stay in the middleweight division.

Michel Pereira vs Ihor Potieria: Who do you think will win the fight?

Michel Pereira was all set to take on Makhmud Muradov in his hometown Brazil. However, the fight was canceled after Muradov withdrew his name from the UFC  301 event because of an infection. As a potential replacement, Pereira will now be facing Potieria at UFC 301 next. The battle is all set to light up the event, as both fighters have completely different fighting styles.

Crowd favorite Pereira will look to close the gap in the initial minutes of the match by using his grappling skills. However, he must be vary of the power possessed by Potieria. The 27-year-old is also coming off a victory in his last fight, but his recent form inside the Octagon has not been much consistent. Not only will he have to deal with the skills of the Brazilian, but will also have the crowd against him. A win will help both the fighters move places in the rankings.

Can the crowd favorite Pereira keep his winning momentum going? Or will the 27-year-old Ukranian cause an upset at UFC 301? Let us know your prediction in the comments below.