UFC APEX – UFC flyweight Matheus Nicolau was frustrated losing out on his original opponent, but that quickly turned into focus on his new opponent as he faces Alex Perez at UFC Vegas 91 on Saturday night.
“Right away when we got the news that Manel (Kape) was out we get frustrated,” Nicolau told reporters on Wednesday.
“I was thinking about him since last year. We start the preparation around November, December, because the fight was beginning of January. Then we closed the fight against him again so right on the moment you get frustrated, you get worried.”
Nicolau (19-3-1) wasn’t just worried that the matchup was no longer happening, but whether he was going to fight at all.
“Is my fight going to get postponed, is my fight going to get canceled, (are) they going to get another opponent. Who they are going to get me to fight, is a ranked guy or not, but (on) the same day we closed the fight against Alex so that was good,” Nicolau said.
Preparations began for Perez who is a veteran in the UFC and ranked #8 keeps Nicolau in a matchup that co
“Alex is experienced guy, more than 25 fights, he already been in championship fights. He already fought for 5 rounds, he’s a complete fighter. Have heavy hands, heavy leg kicks, good wrestling background. He’s a complete fighter,” he said.
“This would be a great challenge for me and my mentality is the same as always. This is the most important and most difficult fight of my career. I respect him, I respect his martial art, and I’m ready to get the victory.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Matheus Nicolau above. He takes on Alex Perez in the headliner at UFC Vegas 91 on Saturday night.
