Alex Perez is comfortable to place his rating on the road in opposition to undefeated Tatsuro Taira in Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 58 major occasion.
Former flyweight title challenger Perez (24-8 MMA, 6-4 UFC) considers himself to be one of many true fighters in his weight class. He thinks he’s proving that once more by accepting a five-round battle in opposition to surging Japanese contender Taira (15-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) in a headlining act on the UFC Apex in Las Vegas (ESPN2, ESPN+).
“Individuals ask me, ‘Why did you’re taking this battle? You may’ve obtained a top-five man?’ I’m simply right here to battle,” Perez instructed MMA Junkie at Thursday’s media day. “If I maintain successful, the title shot shall be right here. This man’s a high prospect. He has quite a lot of hype behind him. I can take his hype after I beat him this weekend.”
Perez, 32, had been plagued with accidents and battle cancellations over a number of years main as much as UFC on ESPN 55 in April, the place he reintroduced himself with a second-round knockout of Matheus Nicolau.
Now Perez, No. 5 within the official UFC rankings, seems to construct momentum in opposition to No. 13-ranked Taira and present he’s not going for use as a stepping stone.
“He’s 15-0 for a cause,” Perez mentioned. “I do know he was a champ exterior the UFC. He’s fought actually good guys. Individuals are like, ‘Ah, it’s going to be a simple battle.’ He’s robust, excellent striker, doesn’t actually get hit rather a lot, excellent grappler. Normally quite a lot of Japanese guys I’ve skilled with prior to now are excellent grapplers and excellent strikers. They don’t actually have that mix. He has that mix.
“He’s a troublesome man. He’s excellent. When you’ve seen his fights, he’s been in a position to drop folks, been in a position to sub folks, been in a position to go to resolution. I’m excited for the problem. I need to be the man that solves that puzzle.”
Perez is assured in his possibilities to get the job performed, and he mentioned as long as he stays inside himself, he shall be profitable.
“The important thing to victory for me is simply go on the market and have enjoyable and do my factor,” Perez mentioned. “After I’m having enjoyable and after I’m working, nobody can beat me.”
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