‘Two of the best in the division’ – Perez predicts ’25-minute war’ against Nicolau

Published 22/04/2024 at 19:45 GMT

Alex Perez is taking on Matheus Nicolau on short notice in the UFC Fight Night main event this weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 32-year-old replaced Manel Kape who pulled out and told TNT Sports he is expecting a “25-minute war” when the cage door closes. Both fighters are ranked in the top 10 of the UFC’s flyweight rankings but are coming into the contest on the back of defeats.Alex Perez poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in at UFC APEX on March 01, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Image credit: Getty Images

Alex Perez believes his flyweight contest against Matheus Nicolau at UFC Fight Night this Saturday in Las Vegas is going to be a classic between “two of the best guys in the division”.

The 32-year-old is stepping in on late notice to face Nicolau in the main event slot and admitted he “didn’t hesitate” when he got the call to replace the injured Manel Kape, who pulled out with a broken rib.

Both men are coming into the fight on the back of a loss and Perez is predicting fireworks from the first bell, with

.

“It’s a good fight,” Perez told TNT Sports. “We want to keep it on the feet; he’s not big on taking people down and doing jiujitsu, so I like that. I like to punch people in the face, so that’s always a good thing.

“Two of the best guys in the division, so people can expect a good fight and 25-minute war. I hope it ends early, but he’s good at jiujitsu, he’s a black belt.

“[Andre] Pederneiras is one of the best coaches on the planet and one of the mains staples of the UFC in Brazil, so I’m expecting a good fight.

“People that don’t know, they’re going to keep talking. I couldn’t care less what people think. I’m one of the guys that can take a lot of s*** talking, that’s the way I am. I’m from the wrestling culture, I don’t really care what people think about me. As long as my friends and close circle respect me, that’s all I care about.”

That was his third defeat in a row after he was submitted in the first round by Deiveson Figueiredo and then Alexandre Pantoja, the former and current flyweight champion.

He left it all in the cage against the highly-rated Mokaev and thought he had done enough to get his hand raised but was left disappointed not to get the nod.

Should he return to the winner’s circle this weekend under the bright lights, Perez hopes he will get the chance to run it back with Mokaev and continue his journey in the UFC.

“I felt like I could have done more [against Mokaev],” he added. “Obviously when you’re in there you just give it all you got, but when you look on the outside you feel like you could’ve given more.

“I had people telling me that they thought I had won and it was a great fight, but it didn’t matter what anyone thought, it’s all about what those three judges saw. I thought I had won, but at the same time, I didn’t do enough.

“It sucks, but I fought a kid no-one wants to fight. I’m hoping if I win this, I get a rematch someday.

“My losses have been to [Joseph] Benavidez, who fought for a title, Deiveson [Figueiredo] was a champ and Pantoja was the champ and No. 1 prospect, so I cannot hang my head too long on those losses.

“I’ve got to improve and get back in there.”

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