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After a short hiatus following UFC 300, octagon motion resume Saturday on the UFC Apex in Las Vegas with UFC on ESPN 55, which airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.
A matchup of ranked flyweights is featured because the five-round predominant occasion. Dynamic Brazilian Matheus Nicolau (19-3-1 MMA, 7-2 UFC) appears to place his identify in title competition towards former title challenger Alex Perez (23-8 MMA, 5-4 UFC), who appears to snap a three-fight shedding skid.
For extra on the numbers behind the headliner, in addition to the remainder of the cardboard, verify beneath for MMA Junkie’s pre-event information about UFC on ESPN 55.
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Matheus Nicolau vs. Alex Perez
Matheus Nicolau
Nicolau is 4-1 since he returned to the UFC for a second stint in March 2021.
Nicolau is 6-2 since he dropped to the UFC flyweight division in July 2016.
Nicolau’s six knockdowns landed in UFC flyweight competitors are tied for third-most in divisional historical past behind Deiveson Figueiredo (11) and John Lineker (seven).
Nicolau defends 66.6 % of all opponent vital strike makes an attempt in UFC flyweight competitors, the best fee amongst lively fighters within the weight class.
Alex Perez
Perez’s three-fight shedding skid is the longest of his profession. He hasn’t earned a primary victory since June 2020.
Perez’s common combat time of 6:02 in UFC flyweight competitors is second-shortest in divisional historical past behind Daniel Lacerda (4:19).
Perez has recorded one in all 17 finishes in UFC historical past stemming from leg kicks. He achieved the feat at UFC 250.
Ariane Lipski vs. Karine Silva
Ariane Lipski
Ariane Lipski (16-8 MMA, 5-5 UFC) has scored three knockdowns in UFC ladies’s flyweight competitors, tied with Taila Santos and Molly McCann for many in divisional historical past.
Lipski defends 79.5 % of opponent takedown makes an attempt in UFC ladies’s flyweight competitors, the third-highest fee in divisional historical past behind Natalia Silva (91.3 %) and Santos (85.3 %).
Karine Silva
Karine Silva (17-4 MMA, 3-0 UFC) has earned all 17 of her profession victories by stoppage. She’s completed 13 of these wins in Spherical 1.
Silva’s three submission victories in UFC ladies’s flyweight competitors are tied for second-most in divisional historical past behind Gillian Robertson (six).
Silva is the one feminine in UFC historical past to earn three consecutive victories by first-round submission.
Silva is one in all two females in UFC historical past to earn a submission victory by D’Arce choke. She achieved the feat at UFC Battle Night time 207. Tatiana Suarez additionally received with the method.
Jonathan Pearce vs. David Onama
Jonathan Pearce (14-5 MMA, 5-2 UFC) lands 54.6 % of his takedown makes an attempt in UFC featherweight competitors, the second-best fee amongst lively fighters within the weight class behind Ricardo Ramos (58.3 %).
David Onama (11-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) has earned all 11 of his profession victories by stoppage.
Tim Means vs. Uros Medic
Uros Medic (9-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) is 1-1 since he moved as much as the welterweight division in July 2023.
Medic is one in all seven fighters in UFC historical past to earn a knockout stemming from a spinning again elbow. He achieved the feat at UFC 291.
Rany Yahya vs. Victor Henry
Rani Yahya (28-10-1 MMA, 13-4-1 UFC) has earned 21 of his 28 profession victories by submission. He’s completed 13 of these wins in Spherical 1.
Yahya’s 13 victories in UFC/WEC bantamweight competitors are tied for third-most in mixed divisional historical past behind Aljamain Sterling (14), Dominick Cruz (14), T.J. Dillashaw (13) and Marlon Vera (13).
Yahya’s 9 stoppage victories in UFC/WEC bantamweight competitors are second-most in mixed divisional historical past behind Marlon Vera (10).
Yahya’s six submission victories in UFC bantamweight competitors are tied with Urijah Faber for many in divisional historical past.
Yahya is one in all 4 fighters in UFC historical past to earn a north-south choke submission in UFC competitors. Jake Ellenberger, Jeff Monson, and Michel Prazeres have additionally achieved the feat.
Ivana Petrovic vs. Na Liang
Na Liang’s (19-7 MMA, 0-3 UFC) three-fight shedding skid is the longest of her profession. She hasn’t earned a victory since January 2021.
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC on ESPN 55.
UFC analysis analyst and dwell statistics producer Michael Carroll contributed to this story. Comply with him on Twitter @MJCflipdascript.
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