Michel Pereira has a new home after parting ways with the UFC earlier this year, and the Brazilian is already preparing for his next fight. The former UFC middleweight contender will face In Su Hwang at ZFN 5 on Dec. 19.
Zombie Fight Night (ZFN), a promotion owned by former UFC fighter Chan Sung Jung, announced the matchup on Monday. The event will stream live on UFC Fight Pass.
Pereira (32-15, 2 NC) became a free agent after losing a controversial decision to Shara Magomedov in June. During the fight, Magomedov repeatedly grabbed Pereira’s hair during grappling exchanges, but referee Herb Dean did not penalize him.
The Brazilian was unhappy with the officiating and questioned the result, arguing that the referee’s failure to enforce the rules compromised the fight. However, Pereira has now moved on and will look to rebuild his career outside the UFC.
This will not be Pereira’s first appearance in South Korea. The 33-year-old made a name for himself in the country before joining the UFC, winning all three of his fights under the Road FC banner by knockout.
Pereira competed in two weight classes during his UFC run and recorded 10 victories in 16 appearances. His notable wins included victories over Khaos Williams, Santiago Ponzinibbio, Michał Oleksiejczuk and Niko Price.
However, his form declined toward the end of his UFC career. After suffering a stoppage loss to Anthony Hernandez in 2024, Pereira managed only one victory in his final five fights, a split-decision win over Zachary Reese.
His upcoming fight against Hwang (9-2) presents an opportunity to get back on track. The South Korean is a former Road FC middleweight champion who last competed at ZFN’s May event, where he stopped Bellator and PFL veteran Alex Polizzi in the third round.
Hwang also appeared on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2025, but failed to secure a UFC contract after losing a unanimous decision to Paddy McCorry.
The 32-year-old will now face the biggest test of his career against an opponent with considerably more experience against elite competition. Hwang has recorded seven knockout victories in his nine professional wins and will look to add another notable name to his record.
For Pereira, the matchup offers a chance to remind fans of his ability after a difficult run in the UFC. A strong performance against Hwang could help him rebuild his reputation and put him back on the radar of major promotions.
Both fighters have plenty to prove at ZFN 5. Hwang will look to secure the biggest win of his career, while Pereira hopes his new home provides the fresh start he needs.
