The biggest fight of Alex Perez’s life took place Nov. 21 at UFC 255, and it ended in less than two minutes.
The outcome was not what he’d hoped for. Perez (24-6 MMA, 6-2 UFC) made a mistake and, as a result, was swiftly submitted by flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo with a guillotine choke.
“Honestly, I felt the fight was, for as long as it lasted on the feet, I was in no crazy danger,” Perez told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “It’s one simple mistake. I’ve always said, time and time again, it’s whoever is on that day. We both happened to be on. He happened to be a little bit better (with) a slick guillotine.”
If there’s one thing Perez hates, it’s losing. But UFC 255 wasn’t the first time Perez lost in the UFC. His most notable defeat prior to that was against Joseph Benavidez in November 2018 – a loss which he followed with a three-fight winning streak. Perez credits his ability to bounce back to his wrestling background.
“I’m the biggest sore loser in the world,” Perez said. “I’ll show respect and everything, but I’m a big sore loser. I hate losing. After I lose, I usually get on the treadmill and run. No one likes to lose. There’s no excuses. I have the best camp in the world. Even if I have a (expletive) camp, no one likes to lose.
“… I think the Benavidez fight showed it. I can still get better. People think, oh, I lost that way. Oh well, look what I did in the last three fights. OK, I lost this way, look what I did in these fights. I’ve proven it every time that I go out there.”
As he moves further away from the loss, Perez progressed toward his return to the cage. Despite the brief UFC 255 main event, Perez injured his right hand. After weeks on the mend, Perez has been cleared to resume training. He eyes a March return – or sometime after the birth of his next child due in February.
“I’m ready for whoever,” Perez said. “If I want to be champion, I’ve got to fight everybody. That’s the mentality I take it with. … I think maybe two to three fights (to get back to a title shot). … At the end of the day, it’s whatever (the UFC) decides.”