Alex Perez is hoping to kill two birds with one stone within the close to future – win the UFC flyweight title and avenge his loss to Alexandre Pantoja.
The UFC flyweight contender is hoping Pantoja defends his 125-pound title towards Steve Erceg on Saturday in the principle occasion UFC 301 in Brazil. Perez (25-8 MMA, 7-4 UFC) is assured Pantoja can get the job achieved, from an goal, analytical level, however he’s additionally hoping that’s the case for private causes.
“I give it like a 70/30, 60/40 likelihood,” Perez informed MMA Junkie. “Pantoja has the expertise. Pantoja’s wrestling isn’t one of the best, however he’s only a canine that retains capturing. On the toes, Pantoja is hard. He can take a punch. Steve, I haven’t seen a number of him exterior the UFC, however he’s a stud, too. One factor that’s scary within the division is that he’s proven that he has one-punch knockout (energy), whether or not he simply hit the proper button on (Matt) Schnell or what. However on paper, Pantoja will get hit, and Steve goes to hit him, so nonetheless give him an opportunity.
“Clearly, I need Pantoja to win as a result of if I combat for the title, I need to combat the man that beat me.”
Each Pantoja and Perez fought again in 2022 with the Brazilian popping out on high, submitting Perez within the first spherical.
At this time, Perez feels he’s in a little bit of a bizarre spot on condition that he picked up an enormous knockout win in the principle occasion of UFC on ESPN 55 final week, however he’s additionally 1-3 in his previous 4 performances. Perez is hoping to enhance that run on June 15, when he faces Tagir Ulanbekov at a UFC Combat Evening occasion in Las Vegas.
Though not banking on it, Perez thinks he can possibly get a title shot given the state of the division – which has most of the high contenders injured or coming off losses.
“Something can occur on this sport, however I simply fear about myself,” Perez stated. “Clearly. I need to combat and beat all these guys. I want no unwell will towards them. Hopefully they will get wholesome and we are able to get this combat going. But when the chance comes, nice. I’ll take the chance.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 301.
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