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Alex Perez stepped up to the plate and delivered a stunning knockout victory over Matheus Nicolau, proving that he's a force to be reckoned with in the flyweight division.
Perez, who replaced the injured Manel Kape on short notice, had a lot riding on this fight after three consecutive losses. However, he didn't let the pressure get to him and came out with his signature aggression. Throughout the fight, Perez relentlessly pursued Nicolau, eventually cornering him against the cage and unleashing a barrage of strikes.
The finishing blow came in the form of a powerful right hook that sent Nicolau crashing to the canvas, prompting the referee to stop the fight at 2:16 in the second round. Reflecting on his victory, Perez expressed his joy, stating,
"It feels amazing. Everybody counted me out after three losses. Shit happened in my last camp but three weeks' notice, no problem. Any time, any day. I tell people I don’t get paid to sit on the couch. I’m at the gym all the time. I’m always working."
While the fight started slowly, with both fighters cautious in the opening round, Perez remained patient, waiting for the right moment to strike. Nicolau landed a significant left hand early on, but Perez responded with his trademark combinations, gradually gaining momentum.
In the second round, Perez's pressure paid off as he backed Nicolau into a corner and unleashed a flurry of punches that ultimately sealed the deal. With this victory, Perez not only redeemed himself from his previous losses but also positioned himself as a contender in the flyweight division.
As the flyweight division awaits the title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Steve Erceg at UFC 301, Perez's impressive performance at UFC Vegas 91 has undoubtedly put him in the spotlight as a fighter to watch in the division.