RALEIGH, N.C. – Alex Perez is putting the onus on Jordan Espinosa to bring the fight at UFC on ESPN+ 24, because it could bring both some extra cash.
Perez (22-5 MMA, 4-1 UFC) considers himself an action fighter, and said he sees Espinosa (14-6 MMA, 1-1 UFC) in the same light. Should both men live up to their reputations, Perez said they have good odds at getting an extra $50,000 each for “Fight of the Night” honors after Saturday’s card.
“He’s dangerous, a good wrestler, has good ground game,” Perez told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “If we come out to fight it could be ‘Fight of the Night’ for sure. If we come out there and what we’re supposed to do. If you guys watch his fights on (Dana White’s) Contender Series, he comes out swinging. I do, too, so wherever the fight goes we’ll be ready.”
Perez’s flyweight matchup with Espinosa, which takes place at PNC Arena and streams on ESPN+, will mark his first action since March. He earned a victory in that fight to rebound from his TKO loss to Joseph Benavidez at The Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale in November 2018, an outcome which stands as his only octagon defeat.
With Benavidez favored in his fight for the vacant 125-pound belt against Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC on ESPN+ 27 in February, the plan for Perez is to eventually get that rematch.
If he wants to make that happen, starting his 2020 campaign with a win over Espinosa is crucial.
“First goal is obviously to win this fight,” Perez said. “Win this fight and win two other fights this year. I want to get back to being active. I want to win two of three fights this year and go from there.”
Alex Perez sees 'Fight of the Night' with Jordan Espinosa at UFC on ESPN+ 24