Alex Perez (fighter)

Last updated

Alex Perez
BornAlexander Salvador Perez
(1992-03-21) March 21, 1992 (age 33)
Hanford, California, U.S. [1]
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight125 lb (57 kg; 8 st 13 lb)
Division Flyweight
Reach65 in (165 cm)
Fighting out of Lemoore, California, U.S.
TeamTeam Oyama
Years active2011–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total34
Wins25
By knockout6
By submission7
By decision12
Losses9
By knockout2
By submission5
By decision2
Other information
University West Hills College Lemoore [2]
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Alexander Salvador Perez [3] (born March 21, 1992) is an American professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). [4] As of July 1, 2025, he is #8 in the UFC flyweight rankings. [5]

Contents

Background

Perez is of Mexican descent and has eight siblings. [6] He started wrestling in the sixth grade alongside his two brothers Silverio Esparza and Julian Perez. Perez represent West Hills College Lemoore in junior college wrestling and he was the regional champion and All-American wrestler in his sophomore year in college. [2] After Perez completed high school at Lemoore, he began helping friends train for their MMA fights due to his wrestling experience. [7]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Perez fought all of his fights in United States where he made his professional debut on May 6, 2011, at TPF 9. He faced Jesus Castro and knockout Castro in round one. [8] He amassed a total of 16-4 before joining Dana White's Contender Series 5, facing Kevin Gray. He defeated Gray, and with the win, he was signed by UFC. [9]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Perez made his promotional debut on December 9, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega against Carlos John de Tomas. [10] He won the fight via submission in round two. [11]

On February 24, 2018, Perez faced Eric Shelton at UFC on Fox: Emmett vs. Stephens. [12] At the weigh-ins, Perez weighed in at 126.5 pounds, a half pound over the flyweight non-title fight upper limit of 126 pounds. As a result, the bout proceeded at catchweight and Perez was fined 20% of his purse which went to Shelton. [13] He won the fight via unanimous decision. [14]

Perez faced Jose Torres on August 9, 2018, at UFC 227. [15] He won the fight via knockout in round one. [16]

Perez faced Joseph Benavidez on November 30, 2018, at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale. [17] He lost the fight via technical knockout out in round one. [18]

Perez faced Mark De La Rosa in a bantamweight bout on March 30, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 2. [19] He won the fight via unanimous decision. [20]

Perez was scheduled to face Sergio Pettis on September 21, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 159. [21] However, Perez pulled out of the bout on August 26 citing an injury. [22]

Perez faced Jordan Espinosa on January 25, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 166. [23] He won the fight via an arm-triangle choke in round one. [24] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award. [25] Perez's arm triangle was an on the fly adjustment and the first time he had submitted someone from that position. [7]

Perez was expected to face Kai Kara-France on May 16, 2020. [26] However, on April 9, Dana White, the president of UFC announced that the event would be postponed to a future date due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [27] Instead Perez faced Jussier Formiga on June 6, 2020, at UFC 250. [28] He won the fight via first-round technical knockout. [29] This win earned him the Performance of the Night . [30]

Perez was expected to face Brandon Moreno on November 21, 2020, at UFC 255. [31] However, on October 2, it was announced that Perez would face Deiveson Figueiredo, replacing an injured Cody Garbrandt for the UFC Flyweight Championship at the same event. [32] He lost the fight via guillotine choke submission in round one. [33]

Perez was scheduled to meet Matt Schnell on May 15, 2021, at UFC 262. [34] However, for undisclosed reasons Perez was forced to pull out from the event and was replaced by Rogério Bontorin. [35]

Perez was scheduled to face Askar Askarov on July 31, 2021, on UFC on ESPN: Hall vs. Strickland. [36] However, Askarov pulled out of the fight in early July citing injury. In turn, Perez was removed from the card entirely and rescheduled to face Matt Schnell four weeks later on August 28, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Chikadze. [37] However, for undisclosed reasons, the bout was moved to UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Till. [38] However, the bout was yet again moved for unknown reasons to UFC 269. [39] At the weigh-ins, Alex Perez weighed in at 126.25 pounds, a quarter-pound over the flyweight non-title fight limit. Shortly after the weigh-ins, officials had announced that the bout had been canceled due to Schnell withdrawing from the event because of a medical issue. [40] The pair was rescheduled to UFC 271 on February 12, 2022. [41] At weigh-ins, Perez came in at 128 pounds and did not attempt to try again, resulting in Matt Schnell refusing to accept the catchweight bout and the fight being canceled. [42]

Perez faced Alexandre Pantoja on July 30, 2022, at UFC 277. [43] He lost the fight via a neck crank submission early in the first round. [44]

Perez was scheduled to face Amir Albazi on December 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 216. [45] However, he pulled out due to undisclosed reasons in late October and was replaced by Brandon Royval. [46]

Perez was scheduled to face Kai Kara-France on February 12, 2023, at UFC 284. [47] However, Kara-France withdrew from the fight, citing a knee injury and the bout was canceled. [48]

Perez was scheduled to face Manel Kape on March 25, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 43. [49] However, the pairing was cancelled during the broadcast as Perez suffered an undisclosed medical issue. [50]

Perez faced Muhammad Mokaev on March 2, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 238. [51] After being taken down a number of times, Perez lost the bout by unanimous decision. [52]

Perez faced Matheus Nicolau, as a replacement for Manel Kape, on April 27, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 55. [53] Perez won the fight by knockout in the second round. [54] This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award. [55]

Perez was scheduled to face Tagir Ulanbekov on June 15, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 58. [56] However, the bout was changed and Perez ended up headlining the main event against Tatsuro Taira. [57] Perez lost the fight by technical knockout as a result of a knee injury in the second round. [58]

Perez was scheduled to face former UFC Flyweight Championship challenger Steve Erceg on August 9, 2025 at UFC on ESPN 72. [59] However, Perez pulled out in mid-July due to undisclosed reasons, so the bout was scrapped. [60]

Perez is scheduled to face Asu Almabayev on November 22, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 265. [61]

Professional grappling career

Perez was booked to compete against two-time NCAA champion wrestler Roman Bravo-Young in a Brazilian jiu-jitsu match at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4 on June 29, 2023. [62] The match ended in a draw. [63]

Personal life

Alex and his wife have a son (born 2021). [64]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
34 matches25 wins9 losses
By knockout62
By submission75
By decision122
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss25–9 Tatsuro Taira TKO (knee injury) UFC on ESPN: Perez vs. Taira June 15, 202422:59 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win25–8 Matheus Nicolau KO (punch) UFC on ESPN: Nicolau vs. Perez April 27, 202422:16 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Loss24–8 Muhammad Mokaev Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gaziev March 2, 202435:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss24–7 Alexandre Pantoja Submission (neck crank) UFC 277 July 30, 202211:31 Dallas, Texas, United States
Loss24–6 Deiveson Figueiredo Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 255 November 21, 202011:57 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFor the UFC Flyweight Championship.
Win24–5 Jussier Formiga TKO (leg kicks) UFC 250 June 6, 202014:06 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Win23–5 Jordan Espinosa Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. dos Santos January 25, 202012:33 Raleigh, North Carolina, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Win22–5 Mark De La Rosa Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Gaethje March 30, 201935:00 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United StatesBantamweight bout.
Loss21–5 Joseph Benavidez TKO (punches) The Ultimate Fighter: Heavy Hitters Finale November 30, 201814:21 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win21–4 Jose Torres KO (punches) UFC 227 August 9, 201813:34 Los Angeles, California, United States
Win20–4 Eric Shelton Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Emmett vs. Stephens February 24, 201835:00 Orlando, Florida, United StatesCatchweight (126.5 lb) bout; Perez missed weight.
Win19–4Carls John de TomasSubmission (anaconda choke) UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega December 9, 201721:54 Fresno, California, United StatesBantamweight bout.
Win18–4Kevin GrayTechnical Submission (anaconda choke) Dana White's Contender Series 5 August 8, 201712:54 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesReturn to Flyweight.
Win17–4Tyler BialeckiDecision (unanimous)CFFC 64March 25, 201735:00 San Diego, California, United States
Win16–4Andrew NatividadSubmission (anaconda choke) TPF 30 February 2, 201712:27 Lemoore, California, United StatesReturn to Bantamweight.
Win15–4Ralph AcostaDecision (unanimous)KOTC: Warranted AggressionDecember 18, 201635:00 Ontario, California, United StatesCatchweight (130 lb) bout; Perez missed weight (131.4 lb).
Win14–4Ray ElizaldeDecision (split)RFA 42August 19, 201635:00 Visalia, California, United States
Loss13–4Jared PapazianSubmission (armbar) TPF 27 May 19, 201613:26 Lemoore, California, United StatesCatchweight (130 lb) bout.
Loss13–3Adam AntolinSubmission (guillotine choke) TPF 25 November 19, 201511:15 Lemoore, California, United StatesLost the TPF Flyweight Championship.
Win13–2Martin SandovalDecision (unanimous) TPF 24 August 6, 201535:00 Lemoore, California, United StatesCatchweight (127.2 lb) bout; Perez missed weight.
Win12–2Anthony FigueroaDecision (unanimous) TPF 22 February 5, 201555:00 Lemoore, California, United StatesWon the vacant TPF Flyweight Championship.
Win11–2Del HawkinsTKO (punches) TPF 19 June 19, 201412:23 Lemoore, California, United StatesBantamweight bout.
Win10–2Eloy GarzaDecision (unanimous) TPF 18 February 6, 201435:00 Lemoore, California, United States
Win9–2Jeff CarsonSubmission (standing guillotine) TPF 16 August 22, 201312:23 Lemoore, California, United States
Win8–2Peter BaltimoreDecision (unanimous)MEZ Sports: Pandemonium 8March 23, 201335:00 Pomona, California, United States
Win7–2Carlos DeSotoTKO (punches) TPF 15 November 15, 201211:52 Lemoore, California, United StatesBantamweight bout; Perez missed weight (138.8 lb).
Win6–2Javier GalasSubmission (rear-naked choke) TPF 14 September 7, 201211:37 Lemoore, California, United StatesCatchweight (139 lb) bout.
Win5–2Edgar DiazSubmission (kimura) TPF 12 March 9, 201212:33 Lemoore, California, United StatesCatchweight (130.2 lb) bout; Perez missed weight.
Win4–2Kevin MichelDecision (unanimous)CA Fight Syndicate: RivalryJanuary 28, 201235:00 Santa Monica, California, United States
Loss3–2John MaCalolooyDecision (unanimous)WFC: Bruvado BashJanuary 7, 201235:00 Placerville, California, United States
Loss3–1Edgar DiazSubmission (guillotine choke) TPF 11 December 2, 201110:43 Lemoore, California, United StatesFlyweight debut.
Win3–0Sam Stevens-MiloDecision (unanimous)UPC Unlimited: Up & Comers 6September 10, 201135:00 Turlock, California, United States
Win2–0Ruben TrujilloDecision (unanimous)UPC Unlimited: Up & Comers 4Jun 24, 201135:00 Madera, California, United States
Win1–0Jesus CastroTKO (punches) TPF 9 May 6, 201111:56 Lemoore, California, United StatesBantamweight debut.

[65]

Pay-per-view bouts

NoEventFightDateVenueCityPPV buys
1. UFC 255 Figueiredo vs. PerezNovember 21, 2020 UFC Apex Enterprise, Nevada, United StatesNot Disclosed [66]

See also

References

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  2. 1 2 "Lemoore High School wrestler and MMA champ Alex Perez gets shot at UFC big time". The Leader. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  3. Mutuku, Ryan (August 22, 2022). "Alex Perez's bio: Everything to know about the MMA fighter". Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  4. 1 2 "Alex Perez - Official UFC® Profile". UFC . Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  5. "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions". UFC . Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  6. Gerbasi, Thomas (October 7, 2020). "ALEX PEREZ'S GOAL IS TO BE A ROLE MODEL". UFC. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
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  43. Alexander, Mookie (June 9, 2022). "Alex Perez vs. Alexandre Pantoja set for UFC 277". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
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  45. Alexander, Mookie (August 30, 2022). "Alex Perez vs. Amir Albazi slated for UFC Fight Night in December". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
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  59. Mitchell Woodcock (June 2, 2025). "Former UFC flyweight title contender Steve Erceg concedes another loss could cost him his contract". thewest.com.au. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
  60. Garrett Kerman (July 17, 2025). "Alex Perez out, Steve Erceg awaits a new challenger at UFC Vegas 109". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  61. MMA Bulgaria (August 28, 2025). "Алекс Перес срещу Асу Алмабаев на UFC в Катар". mma.bg. Retrieved August 28, 2025.(in Bulgarian)
  62. de Souza, Diogo (May 28, 2023). "NCAA Champion Roman Bravo-Young To Make BJJ Debut At UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4". JitsMagazine. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  63. "UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. June 30, 2023. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
  64. Mike Heck (August 3, 2021). What the Heck: Mads Burnell, Taylor Starling, Alex Perez and Casey Kenney - MMA Fighting. mmafighting.com via YouTube.
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  66. "UFC 255: Figueiredo vs. Perez | MMA Event". Tapology.