Matheus Nicolau recently shared insights on his upcoming bout against Alex Perez at UFC Vegas 91 slated for later this month. The Brazilian fighter also entered into concerns surrounding Perez’s history with weight-cutting issues.
Initially set to square off against Manel Kape on April 27 in what promised to be an exhilarating flyweight clash, Nicolau faced a sudden shift when Kape withdrew due to a rib injury requiring surgery.
Subsequently, the promotion tapped Perez to step in, making him Nicolau’s new opponent for the upcoming event.
🚨| Manel Kape reveals he underwent surgery last Thursday after suffering a broken rib in training. pic.twitter.com/QXZFNBBSrY
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) April 3, 2024
During an exclusive chat with MMA event, Nicolau was pressed on whether he had been offered any alternative opponents besides Perez.
He pointed out that most of the top-ranked contenders in the flyweight division were either sidelined due to injuries or unavailable, stating:
“He’s [Perez] the only one that my manager came back to me and said is an opportunity to fight. We talked about [Muhammad] Mokaev but we have Ramadan now, so I doubt he would be able to get it. Also, [Brandon] Royval, as I know, is injured after his fight against [Brandan] Moreno. All of the guys on top of me in the rankings, they are all busy or injured.”
Continuing his explanation, Nicolau added:
“Moreno said he needs a little retirement, little vacation. Kai Kara [Kara-France], I think, is still injured, and [Amir] Albazi is also still injured. So, Perez was the fight that made sense, they offered to us and right away we accepted.”
Unfortunately, Perez has encountered a string of fight cancellations over the past few years, with approximately ten bouts falling through since 2020.
Among these cancellations were matchups against prominent flyweights such as Kai Kara-France, Amir Albazi, Askar Askarov, and Matt Schnell, due to various reasons.
Most recently, Perez’s bout against Kape was called off at the eleventh hour after he experienced seizures backstage during warm-ups.
However, he later clarified that his medical issue was unrelated to his weight cut.
In his conversation with MMA event, Nicolau acknowledged Perez’s run of misfortune in recent years, saying:
“This has crossed my mind, but I think he just fought recently, so I think he’s still in fighting shape. With an opportunity like this, to do the main event, I don’t think he’s going to screw with that. I think he’s going to do his part of the deal and I hope he comes in on weight all good and do an excellent fight.”
Nicolau’s insights shed light on the intricacies of the UFC’s flyweight division, highlighting the challenges fighters face in securing suitable opponents and exploring the uncertainties of the sport.
As the countdown to UFC Vegas 91 continues, fans eagerly anticipate an electrifying showdown between Nicolau and Perez, two formidable competitors poised to leave it all in the Octagon.
