UFC APEX – UFC flyweight Alex Perez is normally talked about when bringing up canceled fights, but he gets to play hero as he stepped in on 4-weeks notice to fight Matheus Nicolau at UFC Vegas 91 on Saturday night.
“I had put my name in for another fight for the April 6 card. They were looking for somebody and I was like hey I can make this weight. They didn’t get back to me,” Perez told reporters on Wednesday.
“When Manel (Kape) got hurt they called me and I said yeah.”
Perez (24-8) made a quick phone call to make sure he could hit the weight, but after he was good to go.
“I was like wait let me call my nutritionist first, and then she’s like ok yeah we can do it. We got it done easy,” he said.
Perez is coming off a loss to Muhammad Mokaev in March and was looking for a quick turnaround to get back on track.
“I tell people all the time I’m a sore loser. I f*cking hate losing. I’m in the gym all the time, and I was in camp. I was working with Cody (Garbrandt) and Cynthia (Calvillo) I was training with them and doing everything so I’m always in good shape,” Perez said.
He faces Nicolau at UFC Vegas 91 on Saturday night which brings a massive opportunity for Perez given his opponent’s #5 ranking.
“Matheus he’s a super nice guy. I’ve met him a few times. Actually (he’s) been over to my house because one of my roommates used to train with him. Him and his wife they’re super nice people,” he said.
“For me it’s just business. We’re not the best of friends, we’re acquaintances, but he’s a good guy. He’s a hard fight for anybody. It’s a tough fight, but I feel like I’m ready.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Alex Perez above. He headlines UFC Vegas 91 alongside Matheus Nicolau this Saturday night.
