Ihor Potieria files appeal following UFC 301 loss to Michel Pereira

Ihor Potieria is hoping that his UFC 301 defeat to Michel Pereira gets overturned to no-contest.

The Ukrainian fighter tapped to a guillotine choke in under a minute in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on May 4, but complained that Pereira landed an illegal strike after performing a backflip during the contest, landing with his leg on his head on the ground.

Potieria wrote on his Instagram page on Sunday that Pereira landed an “illegal kick,” and added that “perhaps there will be justice and this fight will be annulled.” The Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission (CABMMA) confirmed to MMA Fighting that Potieria has filed an appeal.

“Three well-known athletic commissions in America said it was a disqualification,” Potieria wrote on Instagram. “But the fight was in Brazil, so we’ll see what the Rio de Janeiro athletic commission says about it, because at first they also wanted to make a disqualification. I accept everything that is offered to me and I want everything to be fair.

“Of course, everyone only sees a cool somersault, but once again the rules are broken against me during a fight and I don’t want this to go unpunished again. So I’m waiting for news… One day we will meet again and the result of our fight will be completely different. Just give me time to fully prepare!”

Referee Fernando Portella discuss with other CABMMA officials cageside before ruling the official decision a submission victory for Pereira. The Brazilian middleweight, who now rides an eight-fight winning streak, said at the post-fight press conference that doing such move is a risk, “but I’m the risk-taker.”