Perez has compiled an impressive 6-2 record through eight appearances inside the Octagon—a run that includes victories against Eric Shelton, Jose Torres, Mark De La Rosa and Jordan Espinosa. However, he has not competed in well over a year. Perez was booked opposite Matt Schnell at UFC 271 on Feb. 12, but a failed weight cut resulted in the bout’s cancellation. Where the Colin Oyama protégé turns next remains anyone’s guess.
As Perez awaits word from UFC matchmakers on his next assignment, a look at some of the rivalries that have helped shape his career:
Adam Antolin
“Captain Chaos” laid claim to the Tachi Palace Fights flyweight championship when he dethroned Perez with a guillotine choke in the first round of their TPF 25 main event on Nov. 19, 2015 at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, California. The American Kickboxing Academy’s Antolin brought it to a close a mere 75 seconds into Round 1. It was a sobering experience for Perez, who had captured the 125-pound title some eight months prior. Antolin moved in for a takedown, caught the choke during the exchange that ensued, bit down with his squeeze and prompted the tapout. The setback snapped a career-best 10-fight winning streak for Perez.
Carls John de Tomas
Perez submitted the former Universal Reality Combat Championship titleholder with a brabo choke in the second round of their UFC Fight Night 123 bantamweight prelim on Dec. 9, 2017 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. With all escape routes cut off, John de Tomas bowed out 1:54 into Round 2. In what turned into a stellar promotional debut, Perez threatened the Filipino standout with chokes throughout much of the first round, providing a glimpse of what was to come. He executed a takedown inside the first 20 seconds of the middle stanza, advanced to side control and eventually wheeled to the back. John de Tomas was powerless to stop him. Perez punched away from the top ride position before snatching the neck, connecting his arms and forcing the tap.
Joseph Benavidez
The tricks may not have been new, but the old dog had enough of them up his sleeve to put away the favored Perez as part of “The Ultimate Fighter 28” Finale undercard on Nov. 30, 2018 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Benavidez drew the curtain with punches 4:19 into Round 1. Outside of a low-percentage standing arm-triangle choke attempt, Perez was largely muzzled. Benavidez crowded him with creative combinations, forced him to fight off his back foot and exploited the opportunities he was given. He sprawled out of a takedown late in the first round, wheeled behind the kneeling Perez and cut loose with punches until referee Yves Lavigne had seen enough. It remains the only knockout loss of the Team Oyama product’s 30-fight career.
Jussier Formiga
Perez announced his arrival as a Top 5 flyweight when he put away the former Shooto Brazil champion with a series of kicks to the lower leg in the first round of their UFC 250 flyweight prelim on June 6, 2020 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Formiga bowed out 4:06 into Round 1, his base having been chopped out from under him. Perez pushed a merciless pace, relied on effective counters in standup exchanges and continued to chip away at the Brazilian’s lower extremities. Formiga collapsed twice to the canvas after being struck on the calf. Referee Keith Peterson afforded him the opportunity to recover the first time but not the second. Perez connected with 29 significant strikes in the match, having directed more than half of them (15) to his counterpart’s legs.
Deiveson Figueiredo
The Fight Ready representative retained the undisputed Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight title when he submitted Perez with a guillotine choke in the first round of their UFC 255 headliner on Nov. 21, 2020 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Figueiredo brought it to an emphatic close 1:57 into Round 1. After eating a pair of powerful body kicks from the champion, Perez swooped in for a potential takedown. Figueiredo initiated a scramble with an attempted leg lock, then caught the guillotine when the Team Oyama export made his move toward top position. A replacement for the injured Cody Garbrandt, Perez struggled vigorously to free himself but could not break out of the Brazilian’s clutches. Figueiredo’s otherworldly squeeze was a mountain too high.