LAS VEGAS — The Octagon played host to several thrilling fights on Saturday night at the UFC Vegas 91 event. In the main event, Alex Perez seized his opportunity with a spectacular knockout victory over the highly-ranked Matheus Nicolau.
Perez Steps Up on Short Notice Perez, who had lost his previous three bouts, accepted the main event fight against Nicolau on just three weeks’ notice after Manel Kape withdrew due to injury. The veteran fighter made the most of his sudden chance in the spotlight.
From the opening bell, Perez pressured the 5th-ranked Nicolau with versatile striking and relentless forward movement. In the second round, he caught Nicolau flush with a blistering left hook that sent the Brazilian crashing face-first to the canvas.
With the emphatic knockout at 2:17 of Round 2, Perez handed Nicolau just his second loss in six UFC appearances. The Texas native also pocketed a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
“I just went out there and let it all hang out,” Perez said. “When the UFC calls, you answer. I had to take this opportunity and make a statement.”
The spectacular victory could propel the 31-year-old Perez back into the flyweight rankings after his recent skid.
Diniz Shines in UFC Debut
In the co-main event, Brazilian heavyweight Jhonata Diniz announced his arrival in the UFC with a memorable knockout debut.
The 29-year-old former GLORY kickboxer from Sao Paulo patiently picked his spots against American wrestler Austen Lane in the first round. However, early in the second, Diniz hurt Lane with a blistering combination and then swarmed with a furious striking flurry that forced the referee to stop the bout.
With his 7th knockout in 7 career wins, Diniz picked up an extra $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus check.
“I’m just getting started,” Diniz said. “The heavyweight division is on notice.”
Petrovic Edges Na Liang In a women’s bantamweight bout, China’s Na Liang suffered her 4th consecutive defeat in as many UFC appearances. Serbian fighter Ivana Petrovic gradually wore Liang down with grappling over three rounds before securing an arm-triangle choke submission late in the final frame.
With four straight stoppage losses, the 27-year-old Liang’s future in the promotion appears uncertain.
Bogdan Gushkov demolished Ryan Spann with strikes in the second round of their light heavyweight clash in the co-main event. In another bantamweight contest, Guido Cannetti earned a unanimous decision win over Colombian fighter Cristian Quinonez.
Saturday’s event at the UFC’s Apex facility kicked off a run of nine straight events over the next two months for the leading mixed martial arts promotion.
