For
Matheus
Nicolau, the No.5- ranked
Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight contender, being the
architect of his own destiny has been the prime ambition. He
returned to test himself again in the dog-eat-dog landscape of the
125-pound division in the Las Vegas-based promotion in 2021
following a brief stint between 2015 and 2018. Since then, he has
compiled a 4-1 record with victories over prominent names like
Manel
Kape and
Tim Elliott.
And if past events are any measure, the promotional division has
already witnessed a returning hero in the form of
Brandon
Moreno who went on to reign supreme in the division.
For his next assignment, the Brazilian is set to take on the
eighth-ranked fighter in the divisional grid,
Alex Perez,
who finds himself navigating the adverse currents of a three-fight
losing skid. In Perez’s defense, he has been taking on cutthroat
competition since he signed with the UFC following a successful
outing at Dana White’s Contender Series in August 2017.
The flyweight matchup is the central allure around which UFC on
ESPN 55 is built. The event is set to take place on April. 27,
2024, at the Apex Facility in Las Vegas, Ahead of the clash, we
take a look at some of the statistical intricacies that play a
pivotal part in previewing the matchup.
4: Nicolau’s four-fight win streak before crumbling to a knockout
loss to
Brandon
Royval in his last Octagon outing ranks as the sixth best in
the division.
2:39: The Brazilian has spent a total of 2:39 accumulated time in
the bottom position, which is the sixth-best mark on the flyweight
ladder.
6: Throughout his UFC stint, Nicolau has landed six knockdowns, the
third best in the division.
3: In his fight against Luis Smolka back in UFC 219, the
31-year-old landed three knockdowns, the tied-best in the
division.
72: He landed 72 body strikes against
Tim Elliott
which accounts for the third best in the weight class.
8: Nicolau has scored eight decision victories in his career, proof
that he can persist in the long game when required.
2:27: Perez occupies the fifth spot in the divisional bracket for
bottom position time with 2:27 registered time.
80%:Perez is difficult to take down, bolstered by the 80% takedown
defense rate he exhibits in his fights, the sixth best in the
division.
59%:The American exhibits a solid striking defense at 59%.
7: With seven submission wins, Perez is widely recognized for his
ground game and grappling prowess.
12: Much like Nicolau, Perez embraced the idea of going the
distance without hesitation, rattling off 12 decision wins in his
career.