Alex Perez hopes Alexandre Pantoja retains title at UFC 301: ‘I must wrestle the guy that beat me’

Alex Perez is hoping to assassinate two birds with one stone in the come future – desire the UFC flyweight title and avenge his loss to Alexandre Pantoja.

The UFC flyweight contender is hoping Pantoja defends his 125-pound title against Steve Erceg on Saturday in the major event UFC 301 in Brazil. Perez (25-8 MMA, 7-4 UFC) is confident Pantoja can get the job performed, from an goal, analytical level, but he’s also hoping that’s the case for non-public causes.

“I give it fancy a 70/30, 60/40 likelihood,” Perez urged MMA Junkie. “Pantoja has the expertise. Pantoja’s wrestling isn’t the exclusively, but he’s correct a canines that keeps taking pictures. On the feet, Pantoja is tricky. He can consume a punch. Steve, I haven’t considered rather about a him outdoors the UFC, but he’s a stud, too. One thing that’s provoking in the division is that he’s shown that he has one-punch knockout (vitality), whether or now not he correct hit the upright button on (Matt) Schnell or what. But on paper, Pantoja gets hit, and Steve is going to hit him, so soundless give him a gamble.

“Clearly, I’d like Pantoja to desire resulting from if I wrestle for the title, I must wrestle the guy that beat me.”

Both Pantoja and Perez fought support in 2022 with the Brazilian coming out on high, submitting Perez in the major spherical.

This day, Perez feels he’s in a shrimp of a bizarre put provided that he picked up a great knockout desire in the major event of UFC on ESPN 55 closing week, but he’s also 1-3 in his past four performances. Perez is hoping to toughen that flee on June 15, when he faces Tagir Ulanbekov at a UFC Strive against Evening event in Las Vegas.

Even supposing now not banking on it, Perez thinks he can perchance get a title shot given the insist of the division – which has many of the tip contenders injured or coming off losses.

“Anything else can happen in this sport, but I correct scare about myself,” Perez mentioned. “Clearly. I must wrestle and beat all these guys. I’d like no ill will toward them. Confidently they’ll get wholesome and we can get this wrestle going. But if the opportunity comes, great. I’ll consume the opportunity.”

For extra on the cardboard, seek the advice of with MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 301.