The UFC is heading back to the UFC Apex after heading over to Louisville, Kentucky last weekend. This weekend we will see a flyweight match-up. Alex Perez will return after a 2nd round stoppage victory over Matheus Nicolau. Alex Perez is coming up against the number 13 contender Tatsuro Taira. Tatsuro Taira was also able to get a 2nd round stoppage victory last time out. However, he was able to do this against Carlos Hernandez. Alex Perez will be looking to put on another impressive performance to try and achieve a title shot in the future.
Alex Perez’s opponent, Tatsuro Taira has been able to achieve an impressive 15-0 record. Out of those 15 wins, 4 have come by way of KO/TKO, 7 by submission and 4 due to decision.
Alex Perez’s Last Fight Against Matheus Nicolau
Matheus Nicolau was supposed to fight Manel Kape in the main event however, Kape picked up an injury forcing him out of the fight. This being the case Alex Perez would step up to try and secure his first victory since 2020. During that time Alex Perez had been defeated by former UFC champion Deiveson Figueiredo, the current champion Alexandre Pantoja and Muhammad Mokaev. However, he also has had 10 fights being cancelled as well.
However, Alex Perez may not have had the best luck going into this fight but was still fighting the number 8 contender. Alex Perez was able to look sharp right from the first bell. Perez was able to throw out combinations and was able to press the action right from the start of the fight. This was when Nicolau was searching for the perfect shots to land and circled out. Both fighters then opened up a little more once the second round started. However, when Matheus Nicolau was strafing away on the fence Perez was able to capitalise. Alex Perez was able to knock Nicolau when he was able to land a right hook that knocked him onto the canvas and the referee called the fight off.
Significant Stats
Throughout his UFC career, Alex Perez has been able to land 4.10 significant strikes against his opponents. He can land more strikes than he absorbs as Alex Perez absorbs 3.13 strikes per minute. Perez has been able to land more significant strikes than his opponents showing he is dangerous. If Perez can output the same amount of action in his fight this weekend then he is sure to bring Taira into uncharted territory.
However, this is not going to be an easy task as while he absorbs 3.13 his opponent Taira lands 3.51 strikes per minute. While this is very similar this could mean the same when they enter the octagon this weekend. However, Taira only absorbs 1.15 significant strikes which could mean he can defend against strikes which Perez will be throwing. However, Taira has only been able to defend 47% of strikes which means as long as Alex Perez does press the pace like against Nicolau then there is a chance he could bring Taira into uncharted waters.
Taira also prefers to get this fight onto the ground as he averages 2 takedowns per 15 minutes throughout his UFC career. Taira may try to get this fight to the ground if Alex Perez can hurt him. However, this won’t be easy as Perez does have good takedown defence. Throughout his UFC career Perez has been able to defend 83% of takedowns he has faced in the UFC octagon. It won’t be easy if Taira is wanting this fight on the ground.
Perez will be able to give Taira his first true test inside the octagon as he can land at a high rate as well as having good takedown defence. He will not make this an easy fight and has all the capabilities to cause an upset.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
