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MMA Preview: UFC ESPN 55 – Matheus Nicolau (19-3-1) vs Alex Perez (24-8-0)

Both fighters are hoping to get back to the winning track this coming Saturday. Matheus Nicolau is 19-3-1 overall, with a KO loss in his most recent fight. Alex Perez is even worse, with three losses in a row.

Matheus Nicolau vs. Alex Perez Odds

MoneylineOdds
Matheus Nicolau-172
Alex Perez+147

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct on Friday, April 26, 2024

When, Where, and How to Watch?

Place: UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada

Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024

Time: ~10:00 p.m. ET

How to Watch: ESPN

Matheus Nicolau is a very well-rounded fighter who’s got experience in BJJ and kickboxing. He’s 19-3-1 overall with six wins by KO/TKO, five by submission, and eight by decision. When it comes to his losses, all three of them happened by KO/TKO. Does this mean he’s got a glass chin?

Not really, especially knowing that the first two times he lost by this method, he bounced back straight away. What about his third loss by KO/TKO? It happened in his most recent fight.

The fight in question happened a year ago when Brandon Royval beat him by knees and elbows in the first round.

It was his first loss since 2018 after six wins in a row.

Like Nicolau, Alex Perez too is a very well-rounded fighter with plenty of weapons in his arsenal. He also has a very impressive portfolio with 24 wins and eight losses. What’s worrying is that he lost each of his last three fights.

This, however, happened against three elite fighters. First, Deiveson Figueredo beat him by submission in the UFC Flyweight Championship fight. Then, he lost to Alexandre Pantoja by submission.

In his most recent fight, Muhammad Mokaev beat him by unanimous decision in a fight in which Perez suffered three takedowns.

All of this may make you think that he’s a horrible wrestler/grappler, but just the opposite is true. And he might show it against Nicolau on April 27. Alex Perez is determined to end his losing streak, and the fight with Matheus Nicolau looks like an ideal opportunity for that. Perez lands more strikes than him and is better when it comes to wrestling. 

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