Uncasville, CT — Erik Perez (20-8) opened up the blast of a card that was Bellator 258, finally getting the outcome he was looking for.
Perez took home the win in unanimous decision fashion over CES standout Blaine Shutt on Friday night, in what was a stacked event. Perez, a UFC veteran, landed his first Bellator victory in the process, after dropping the first two appearances with the promotion. He took all three rounds on each and every scorecard.
“Feels Awesome,” Perez said on his first Bellator win. “My two first fights in Bellator, I laugh for those fights. I’m [a] more prepared fighter, more focused.”
Perez was surprised with the grittiness of the Pennsylvania native Schutt, who was more than game all fight long. Although he found himself in a few submission situations, Perez felt he was never in danger in this one.
“He’s tough,” Perez said of his opponent. “I punched him very hard and he kept going. He loves to fight. I saw it in his face, in the second round I threw elbows in his face and he smiled. I like how he fights. Every guy who steps in the cage with me I’m grateful.”
Watch the full Bellator 258 post-fight press scrum with Erik Perez above.
