Jose Perez would be “Super shocked” if Jaleon Reid goes to the ground at CFFC 97

Jose Perez expects his opponent Jaleon Reid to keep the fight standing at CFFC 97 on May 29.

Even with Reid coming off back-to-back first-round guillotine chokes, Perez is confident his ground game will be superior inside the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 26-year-old does welcome a striking affair with Reid, convinced he holds an advantage in that department as well.

“I would be super shocked if he tries to go to the ground with me,” Perez said. 

“I think he is going to try and keep it standing, which I’m OK with, but if he does go to the ground, power to him. That’s doing me a favor.”

Jose Perez is willing to stand with Jaleon Reid

Perez is yet to showcase a ton of striking in his first three professional appearances. In his most recent outing, the Illinois native went the distance with a unanimous-decision win over Nicholas Maupin at HR MMA 17 this past February. 

Perez controlled Maupin on the mat for the majority of all three rounds. The 3-0 featherweight previously earned two-first round finishes, including a banana split over Jacob Dorman at CFFC 91 last December. 

Reid is yet to go past two rounds, including two submission wins and one TKO victory. He is the stockier of the two at 5-foot 7-inches, compared to Perez, who stands at 5-foot 10 inches.

Even with physique and resume considered, Perez likes his chances against Reid.

“I feel I have more experience in the gym and just in general martial arts as a whole,” Perez said. “I think I am going to approach it more technically than he does. He seems to be the more physical specimen between the two. I am kind of just the skinny guy… but I have confidence I have technique over his.”

A good dance partner

Being the taller fighter, he expects to use his jab to set up his range against Reid. When daydreaming about the fight, Perez always envisions a stand-up battle with Reid.

Perez’s ground game has taken him this far. The matchup with Reid presents an opportunity to showcase much more according to Perez.

“You need a good dance partner to shine and I think  I got a good dance partner with Jaleon,” Perez said. “But make no mistake, I believe I am more superior in every facet, wrestling, stand up and especially on the ground.”

Jose Perez would be "Super shocked" if Jaleon Reid goes to the ground at CFFC 97
Photo from Jose Perezs Facebook page
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Connor Northrup
Connor Northrup once covered municipal meetings and promised himself never again. He is now combining his passion for Mixed Martial Arts and reporting all into one.