Alex Perez making the most of his time left
Not long ago, Alex Perez was seen as the ultimate pull out merchant of the UFC. These last three months, however, have been proving just the opposite. Time is short for the 32-year-old flyweight, and Perez has been making time count. Perez has dropped a close decision to Muhammad Mokaev and scored a massive knockout in his last outing against Mateus Nicolau.
This weekend, Perez is stepping into the Apex to take on another super prospect in Japan’s Tatsuro Taira.
Alex Perez’ ascension through flyweight
After winning his contract on Dana White’s Contender Series, Alex Perez made his way through the UFC’s flyweight division which was at risk of being cut at the time. This was before Henry Cejudo sparked TJ Dillashaw in 32 seconds and saved the 125ers.
In his debut, the Team Oyama fighter won with a first round D’arce, returned with a unanimous decision (he missed weight in this fight), and then knocked out the highly touted Jose “Shorty” Torres in round one.
Poised for a breakout fight, the matchmakers gave him a shot at Joseph Benavidez, one of flyweight’s longest contenders and a rough out for anyone. Perez was put away in the first round.
As the UFC restructured the division, things looked grim for Alex Perez, the flyweight. Then, Cejudo knocked out Dillashaw and flyweights were here to stay. The UFC cut many of the division’s wrestlers, like the aforementioned Torres and Jarred Brooks. They opted to sign and retain strikers like Brandon Royval, Brandon Moreno, and more, for a more exciting division. Fortunately for Perez, he was not part of the culling.
Things were coming together for Perez. He notched wins over Mark De La Rosa, Jordan Espinoza and Jussier Formiga and was granted a title shot at then-champion Deiveson Figueiredo.
The main event of UFC 255 is where things turned south for Alex Perez. Figueiredo buzzed through Perez with a first round guillotine choke. From then on, Perez was trapped in hell.
Fighting through injuries and cancellations
At UFC 262, Alex Perez was booked to fight Matt Schnell. Perez was injured and pulled from that fight. He tried to return two months later against Askar Askarov and Askarov was injured.
UFC brass was then hell-bent on rebooking Perez and Schnell after the Askarov pullout. In September of 2021, the fight was rescheduled to UFC 269 in December. It was then that Matt Schnell pulled out during his weight cuts due to medical concerns. That’s when the fight rebooked again for the fourth time in February. It was Alex Perez’ turn to pull out.
In July of 2021, the UFC rebooked Perez and Askarov and Askarov pulled out again. Things looked on the up when Alex Perez made it to the cage against Alexandre Pantoja. That is, until Pantoja jumped on his back and sunk in a rear naked choke in the first round. Perez’ woes continued.
In 2022, Alex Perez and Amir Albazi were booked and Perez was hurt. In February 2023, Kai Kara-France pulled out of their scheduled fight. A month later, Perez was booked against Manel Kape. Perez made it through weigh ins but pulled out due to medical concern the night of the fight.
Coming back with a vengeance
The damage was done to the reputation of Alex Perez: he was the pullout merchant. Seen as a sacrificial lamb against Muhammad Mokaev and it was widely thought that he was fighting for his job.
Alex Perez showed out. The record shows Mokaev with the win but fans short memories allows themselves to be surprised at how good Perez was against a high level wrestler like Mokaev. He was granted another fight.
Alex Perez defeats Matheus Nicolau via KO (Right Hook) in the 2nd at UFC Vegas 91
Alex Perez is officially back. Impressive win
(@Obsessionmmapod) pic.twitter.com/Ivy9qtIBH8
— The Octagon Obsessed (@octagonobsessed) April 28, 2024
Next was Matheus Nicolau. This time fans were rooting for Perez as the perpetual underdog. That ended when Perez put Nicolau out cold for his second straight win.
Now, two months later, he’s taking on another contender. Tatsuro Taira is is seen as the slight favorite. It’s just another case of Perez going out to show that he is an elite flyweight with an amazing stroke of bad luck. A win will fend off a hot contender looking for his way to the top.
Staying active is in his best interest. 32 years old isn’t a young flyweight. In the sport of fighting, age is your ally and greatest enemy. Will he bow to the youth of Tatsuro Taira or will his experience be his tool of victory?
