Erik Perez not with Bellator just to be another fighter, he wants to be world champion

HONOLULU – Back in the big leagues, Erik Perez is here for the coveted prize.

Perez (19-6 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) makes his Bellator debut Friday, when he takes on Toby Misech (11-7 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) at “Bellator and USO Present: Salute The Troops 2019,” part of a double-header for the promotion this weekend. Both events take place at Neal S. Blaisdell Arena, with Friday’s card airing on Paramount and streaming on DAZN.

Perez, a nine-time UFC veteran, insists he is not looking past Misech but is already looking ahead – after all, he wants to become champion.

“I was focused on the big organizations,” Perez told MMA Junkie. “Bellator was one of them, and it gave me the opportunity, so I’m very happy. I’m very happy to fight here. I’m again, like, motivated to go for the title, and yes, I need to fight well in this fight on Friday, so I’m very focused to not just be one more fighter from Bellator. I want to be the champion here.”

Following his UFC run, Perez scored two big finishes during his short tenure at Combate Americas and has won his last five straight contests, overall.

He heads into his 26th pro fight Friday and is confident that he’s logged in enough fight time over the years, preparing him for a title run in Bellator.

“Actually, the difference is my experience,” Perez said. “I have a lot of experience. When I was in another company, I was very young. Right now, I turned 30 in November, so I’m already in my best shape and in my best time, physically, mentally, spiritually, and I feel like in my time and my prime.”

Perez takes on a tough and scrappy “Dana White’s Contender Series” veteran in Misech, who “Goyito” admits he has been impressed with. Still, Perez sees plenty of openings that he believes he can exploit.

“He was doing well in his last fight; he lost, but it was vs. a very good opponent, and the first fight he looked awesome,” Perez said. “He’s a southpaw boxer, good hands, faster, but he has a lot of holes, and I’m going to go for that.”

To hear more from Perez, check out the video above.