Alex Perez
USA
Taps in Round 3
Perez lost to Asu Almabayev via submission (guillotine choke) at 0:22 of Round 3 at UFC Qatar on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Perez continues to fight the best of the best at flyweight, but he's now dropped four of five fights since losing a 2020 title shot to Deiveson Figueiredo, and his chances of competing in any further title-implicating fights have waned considerably with this loss. He was definitely competitive here despite dropping Round 1, as he built some momentum in the second frame by picking up three takedowns and winning the significant striking battle 21-to-13. However, with the fight tied at a round apiece heading into Round 3, Perez ate a massive head kick early that led to Almabayev jumping into a guillotine and Perez tapping out standing up. He'll likely need a rebound effort his next time out to save his roster spot.
Perez continues to fight the best of the best at flyweight, but he's now dropped four of five fights since losing a 2020 title shot to Deiveson Figueiredo, and his chances of competing in any further title-implicating fights have waned considerably with this loss. He was definitely competitive here despite dropping Round 1, as he built some momentum in the second frame by picking up three takedowns and winning the significant striking battle 21-to-13. However, with the fight tied at a round apiece heading into Round 3, Perez ate a massive head kick early that led to Almabayev jumping into a guillotine and Perez tapping out standing up. He'll likely need a rebound effort his next time out to save his roster spot.
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Almabayev up next
Perez (undisclosed) is scheduled to compete against Asu Almabayev in a flyweight fight at UFC Qatar on Nov. 22, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Less than two months after withdrawing from UFC Vegas 109, Perez will look to fight in the promotion's Qatar event. Injuries have continually dented Perez, whose last fight was a premature injury, but he will look to finally get back on track in November.
Less than two months after withdrawing from UFC Vegas 109, Perez will look to fight in the promotion's Qatar event. Injuries have continually dented Perez, whose last fight was a premature injury, but he will look to finally get back on track in November.
Out for UFC Vegas
Perez will not fight against Steve Erceg at UFC Vegas 109 on Aug. 9 due to an undisclosed injury, Nolan King of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
Perez will postpone his next UFC match as he navigates back from an unknown injury. The American flyweight's last fight was in June of 2024, where he lost to Tatsuro Taira via TKO (injury). It's unclear who will now take on Erceg in August.
Perez will postpone his next UFC match as he navigates back from an unknown injury. The American flyweight's last fight was in June of 2024, where he lost to Tatsuro Taira via TKO (injury). It's unclear who will now take on Erceg in August.
Taking on Erceg in August
Perez is scheduled to face Steve Erceg in a flyweight fight at the UFC's Aug. 9 event in Las Vegas, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Perez will return to the Octagon looking to bounce back after taking a loss to Tatsuro Taira in his most recent fight last June. The 33-year-old Perez will have to remain careful when it comes to grappling, as Erceg boasts a perfect 6-0 record in submission finishes compared to the former's 7-5 professional record in such finishes.
Perez will return to the Octagon looking to bounce back after taking a loss to Tatsuro Taira in his most recent fight last June. The 33-year-old Perez will have to remain careful when it comes to grappling, as Erceg boasts a perfect 6-0 record in submission finishes compared to the former's 7-5 professional record in such finishes.
Injury leads to main event defeat
Perez lost to Tatsuro Taira via TKO (injury) at 2:59 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Fighting in his second main event in exactly six weeks, Perez was doing fairly well until the injury. Entering as a +195 underdog against an undefeated top prospect, Alex tried to remain aggressive, as a technical outing would massively favor his opponent. The two fought on even terms until Taira went for a takedown early in Round 2. He eventually got Perez's back while the two were standing and Alex appeared to injure his knee on the way to the ground. Referee Herb Dean immediately called off the fight. We'll have to wait on word of the severity, but Perez was in obvious pain. The 32-year-old falls to 1-4 in his past five fights, which is just as concerning as the injury.
Fighting in his second main event in exactly six weeks, Perez was doing fairly well until the injury. Entering as a +195 underdog against an undefeated top prospect, Alex tried to remain aggressive, as a technical outing would massively favor his opponent. The two fought on even terms until Taira went for a takedown early in Round 2. He eventually got Perez's back while the two were standing and Alex appeared to injure his knee on the way to the ground. Referee Herb Dean immediately called off the fight. We'll have to wait on word of the severity, but Perez was in obvious pain. The 32-year-old falls to 1-4 in his past five fights, which is just as concerning as the injury.
Will face Taira
Perez is scheduled to compete against Tatsuro Taira in a flyweight fight at UFC Vegas 93 on June 15, Damon Martin of MMA Fighting reports.
ANALYSIS
Perez was previously scheduled to face Tagir Ulanbekov but has shifted to face the undefeated Taira. Perez defeated Matheus Nicolau by KO during his last fight.
Perez was previously scheduled to face Tagir Ulanbekov but has shifted to face the undefeated Taira. Perez defeated Matheus Nicolau by KO during his last fight.