Ranked flyweights Alex Perez and Charles Johnson looked to make their move in a wide-open division at UFC 324, each aiming to climb closer to the top of the flyweight ladder.
Perez (25-10) entered the matchup looking to snap a two-fight skid after losses to Tatsuro Taira and Asu Almabayev. He didn’t do himself any favors by missing weight by 2.5 pounds, but with the fight still moving forward, there was still plenty at stake for the No. 11-ranked flyweight.
#13 ranked Johnson (18-7) bounced back from his first loss in two years with a win over Lone’er Kavanagh last August. He entered UFC 324 with hopes of leapfrogging Perez and taking his spot in the rankings.
Round 1 – The two met in the center looking to establish their rhythm, and Perez got there first, landing a pair of sharp left hands before Johnson disrupted the exchange with a strong right.
Neither fighter wanted their back near the fence, and their footwork showed it, as both worked to control the middle of the Octagon.
Perez then landed a massive shot that dropped Johnson, who looked out for a moment before hitting the canvas and regaining his awareness. Perez immediately swarmed, hunting for the finish as Johnson shifted into full survival mode.
Johnson stayed on the move, trying to buy time to recover, but Perez cut off the cage and continued to land heavy left hands. Another clean left dropped Johnson again, and Perez poured it on, looking to end it right there. To Johnson’s credit, he absorbed a tremendous amount of damage and refused to fold.
Johnson briefly started to fire back with body shots as he regained his legs, but Perez stayed in his face until a final left hook sealed the finish.
Massive victory for Alex Perez.
Official Result: Alex Perez def. Charles Johnson via R1 TKO, 3:16
