Flyweights take center stage at UFC Vegas 91.
Top 10 contenders collide as Matheus Nicolau meets Alex Perez in five rounds or less. Both fighters look to return to winning ways with Nicolau having his perfect 4-0 Octagon run ended by Brandon Royval this last time last year. Former title challenger Perez hasn’t won in nearly four years, losing his last three fights to the best in the world.
It’s a quick turnaround for Perez as he tries to bounce back from a decision defeat to Muhammad Mokaev in March. The American replaces an injured Manel Kape, who was originally supposed to face Brazil’s Nicolau.
UFC Vegas 91 takes place from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Round 1:
Perez throws a kick up the middle. The flyweights are careful in their approach, gauging the distance on the feet. Perez puts together a fast combo, going up high and down low with his punches. Nicolau throws a 1-2. Nicolau clips Perez with a right hand. Perez swings big upstairs and catches Nicolau with a nasty follow-up body shot. Nicolau connects with a left hook that gets Perez’s attention. Nicolau presses forward.
Perez lands a leg kick. Nicolau returns with one of his own.
Round 2:
Nicolau lands a leg kick. Perez fires a combo. Perez lands another leg kick. Perez punches to the body. Leg kick lands for Nicolau. Perez lands from different angles. Front kick attempted by Nicolau. Perez stuns Nicolau with punches, keeping his foot on the gas pedal as he pursues Nicolau along the cage. The aggressive Perez throws multiple punches before a right hook connects on the chin of Nicolau, sending him down to the canvas. No follow-up shots needed. Alex Perez is back in the win column in a big way.
Official result: Alex Perez defeats Matheus Nicolau via KO (punch) in round 2 (2:16)
Check out the highlights below:
ONE MEAN RIGHT HOOK 😱@AlexPerezMMA shakes up the rankings on short notice with a HUGE KO! #UFCVegas91 pic.twitter.com/mtaEHLpP0f
— UFC (@ufc) April 28, 2024
After all the hard times and setbacks, @alexperezMMA enjoys his moment!!! Incredible knockout at #UFCVegas91. pic.twitter.com/aNu7fZ1eTA
— John Morgan (@JohnMorgan_MMA) April 28, 2024
