Bantamweights
NR | Alejandro Perez (21-8-1, 7-3-1 UFC) vs. NR | Johnny Eduardo (28-12, 3-4 UFC)ODDS: Perez (-230), Eduardo (+190)
It seems like forever ago, but it was only 2019 when Perez entered the year as the dark horse of the UFC’s bantamweight division. “Turbo” dropped his first fight after winning the bantamweight bracket on “The Ultimate Fighter Latin America” Season 1, but from there, Perez quietly put together a seven-fight undefeated streak that forced people to take notice. However, 2019 was when Perez’s conservative approach hit its ceiling. The Mexican simply did not get much done against Cody Stamann, and Yadong Song’s quick-twitch athleticism led to Perez suffering one of the more brutal knockouts in recent memory. Injuries have kept Perez out of action for over two years since, but he returns against Brazil’s Johnny Eduardo, who is coming off his own layoff. That is nothing new for Eduardo, as despite being on the UFC roster for over a decade, this only marks his eights trip to the Octagon.
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Eduardo has been at this for almost 25 years at this point, but he is still a crisp and talented striker; it is in the other phases of the game that Eduardo has gotten himself in trouble. That has led to some frustrating fight-ending moments in Eduardo’s last few fights. Matthew Lopez finished him on the ground after an ill-advised heel hook attempt, and Eduardo was doing surprisingly well against Nathaniel Wood before diving for a takedown that the Brit quickly turned into a submission. If this fight takes place entirely on the feet, Eduardo still has enough to take it based on his last few performances. He is the longer fighter, and Perez does not do much to press the action. However, Eduardo has made enough bad decisions to worry he will make another one in this spot. With both men coming off long layoffs, it is hard not to favor the younger Perez against Eduardo, who is now well into his 40s. The pick is Perez via decision.