Mexican mixed martial arts fighter
Erik Gregorio Pérez Ruvalcaba (born November 19, 1989)[ 1] [ 2] is a Mexican mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division. A professional competitor since 2008, he has competed for Bellator MMA , Shark Fights , BAMMA , UFC and Combate Americas .
Personal life
Erik Pérez was born in México . Pérez grew from a family of sportsmen; his older brother Jorge Pérez is a professional boxer, while his brothers Iván Pérez , and Jair Pérez both are fellow mixed martial artists. Érik, Iván, and Jair all three fought together in Combate Americas .[ 4] [ 5]
Mixed martial arts career
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Upon his permanent move to United States, Erik Pérez established a full-time training camp at Jackson's MMA in Albuquerque, New Mexico .[ 6]
Pérez faced John Albert on June 1, 2012, at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale replacing Byron Bloodworth who was removed from the bout.[ 7] Pérez won the fight via controversial armbar submission as Albert did not appear to verbally submit or tap out but the fight was stopped by referee Kim Winslow.[ 8]
Pérez next faced Ken Stone on August 11, 2012, at UFC 150 .[ 9] He won via first-round KO in 17 seconds. With this win, Pérez obtained the fastest Bantamweight knockout in UFC and WEC Bantamweight history, beating Damacio Page 's 18-second KO over Marcos Galvao .[ 10]
Pérez fought Byron Bloodworth on December 29, 2012, at UFC 155 .[ 11] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[ 12]
Pérez was expected to face Johnny Bedford on April 27, 2013, at UFC 159 .[ 13] However, Pérez pulled out of the bout just days before the event citing an injury and was replaced by Bryan Caraway .[ 14]
Pérez faced Takeya Mizugaki on August 28, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 27 [ 15] He lost the fight via split decision.[ 16]
Pérez next faced Edwin Figueroa at UFC 167 .[ 17] He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Pérez faced Bryan Caraway on June 7, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 42 .[ 18] He lost the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the second round.[ 19]
Pérez was expected to face Marcus Brimage on November 15, 2014, at UFC 180 .[ 20] However, Pérez pulled out of the bout in mid-October citing a shoulder injury.[ 21]
Pérez was briefly linked to a fight with Damian Stasiak on November 21, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale .[ 22] However, Stasiak was removed from the bout and replaced by Taylor Lapilus .[ 23] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[ 24]
Pérez next faced Francisco Rivera on July 30, 2016, at UFC 201 .[ 25] He won the back-and-forth fight by unanimous decision.[ 26]
Pérez faced Felipe Arantes on November 5, 2016, at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale .[ 27] He was awarded a split decision victory.[ 28]
Perez signed with Combate Americas on October 31, 2017, after fighting out his contract with the UFC.[ 29]
Combate Americas
Following his departure from the UFC, Pérez signed a multi-fight contract with Combate Americas .[ 30] On March 15, 2018, it was announced that Pérez would be fighting against top-ranked fighter in Texas , David "DJ" Fuentes.[ 31] The fight took place on April 20, and Erik won the fight by knockout.[ 32]
Pérez was expected to headline Combate Americas Mexico vs. USA against John Castañeda on October 13, 2018, but the bout was postponed to a later date because Castaneda caught staph infection.[ 33] [ 34]
Pérez then headlined Combate Americas Combate Monterrey on November 17, 2018, against Andres Ayala.[ 35] He won the fight via rear-naked choke in the first round.[ 36]
Bellator MMA
Following a two-fight stint at Combate Americas , Pérez signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA .[ 37]
Pérez made his promotional debut against Toby Misech at Bellator 236 on December 20, 2019.[ 38] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[ 39]
Pérez faced Josh Hill at Bellator 244 on August 21, 2020.[ 40] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[ 41]
Pérez was expected to face Brian Moore at Bellator 258 on May 7, 2021.[ 42] However, Moore tested positive for COVID and pulled out of the bout.[ 43] He was replaced by Blaine Shutt.[ 44] Pérez won the bout via unanimous decision.[ 45]
Pérez was scheduled to face Brett Johns on October 16, 2021, at Bellator 268 .[ 46] However on October 5, it was announced that Perez was injured and the bout was scrapped.[ 47]
Pérez, replacing Jared Scoggins, was scheduled to face Cee Jay Hamilton on April 22, 2022, at Bellator 278 .[ 48] Pérez in turn pulled out of the bout and Hamilton was not rescheduled, instead being paid his show money, despite not weighing in or fighting.[ 49]
Pérez faced Enrique Barzola on March 10, 2023, at Bellator 292 .[ 50] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[ 51]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
29 matches
20 wins
9 losses
By knockout
5
1
By submission
8
2
By decision
7
6
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Loss
20–9
Enrique Barzola
Decision (unanimous)
Bellator 292
March 10, 2023
3
5:00
San Jose, California , United States
Featherweight debut.
Win
20–8
Blaine Shutt
Decision (unanimous)
Bellator 258
May 7, 2021
3
5:00
Uncasville, Connecticut , United States
Loss
19–8
Josh Hill
Decision (unanimous)
Bellator 244
August 21, 2020
3
5:00
Uncasville, Connecticut , United States
Loss
19–7
Toby Misech
KO (punches)
Bellator 235
December 20, 2019
1
0:54
Honolulu, Hawaii , United States
Catchweight (141.4 lbs) bout; Misech missed weight.
Win
19–6
Andres Ayala
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Combate Americas - Combate Monterrey
November 17, 2018
1
3:39
Monterrey , Nuevo León
Win
18–6
David Fuentes
KO (punches)
Combate Americas - Combate Estrellas 2
April 20, 2018
3
1:22
Monterrey , Nuevo León
Win
17–6
Felipe Arantes
Decision (split)
The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale: dos Anjos vs. Ferguson
November 5, 2016
3
5:00
Mexico City , Mexico
Win
16–6
Francisco Rivera
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 201
July 30, 2016
3
5:00
Atlanta, Georgia , United States
Win
15–6
Taylor Lapilus
Decision (unanimous)
The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale: Magny vs. Gastelum
November 21, 2015
3
5:00
Monterrey , Mexico
Loss
14–6
Bryan Caraway
Submission (rear-naked choke)
UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov
June 7, 2014
2
1:52
Albuquerque, New Mexico , United States
Win
14–5
Edwin Figueroa
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 167
November 16, 2013
3
5:00
Las Vegas , Nevada , United States
Loss
13–5
Takeya Mizugaki
Decision (split)
UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann 2
August 28, 2013
3
5:00
Indianapolis, Indiana , United States
Win
13–4
Byron Bloodworth
TKO (punches)
UFC 155
December 29, 2012
1
3:50
Las Vegas , Nevada , United States
Win
12–4
Ken Stone
KO (punch)
UFC 150
August 11, 2012
1
0:17
Denver, Colorado , United States
Fastest knockout in UFC bantamweight history
Win
11–4
John Albert
Submission (armbar)
The Ultimate Fighter: Live Finale
June 1, 2012
1
4:18
Las Vegas , Nevada , United States
Win
10–4
Paul McVeigh
Decision (unanimous)
BAMMA 8
December 10, 2011
3
5:00
Nottingham , England
Win
9–4
James Brum
Submission (rear-naked choke)
BAMMA 7
September 10, 2011
1
3:31
Birmingham , England
Catchweight (140 lbs) bout.
Win
8–4
Douglas Frey
Decision (unanimous)
Shark Fights 17: Horwich vs. Rosholt 2
July 15, 2011
3
5:00
Frisco, Texas , United States
Catchweight (150 lbs) bout.
Win
7–4
Jesse Thorton
Submission (rear-naked choke)
STFC 15: Nature of the Beast
April 15, 2011
2
2:34
McAllen, Texas , United States
Win
6–4
France Atala
Submission (rear-naked choke)
Triple A Promotions
March 12, 2011
1
1:53
Laredo, Texas , United States
Loss
5–4
Jason Sampson
Decision (split)
STFC: 9/3/10
September 3, 2010
3
5:00
McAllen, Texas , United States
Loss
5–3
David Fuentes
Submission (armbar)
STFC 11: Night of Champions
May 28, 2010
3
3:01
McAllen, Texas , United States
Win
5–2
Jeremiah Castillo
Submission (armbar)
SCA: Duke City Fall Brawl 2
November 25, 2009
1
2:23
Albuquerque, New Mexico , United States
Win
4–2
Fabian Jacquez
Submission (rear-naked choke)
DCMMAS: Duke City MMA Series 2
July 25, 2009
1
0:55
Albuquerque, New Mexico , United States
Win
3–2
Albert Martinez
TKO (punches)
STFC 6: Evolution
April 11, 2009
1
2:17
Odessa, Texas , United States
Win
2–2
Sabino Becerra
Submission (triangle choke)
STFC 4: Fuentes vs. King
November 1, 2008
1
3:29
McAllen, Texas , United States
Win
1–2
Josh Scales
TKO (punches)
STFC 3: War Zone
August 2, 2008
1
1:09
McAllen, Texas , United States
Loss
0–2
Alfredo Morales
Decision (split)
Warriors Fighting Championship
June 28, 2008
3
3:00
Mexico City , Mexico
Loss
0–1
Tim Snyder
Decision (split)
STFC 2: Aftershock
May 3, 2008
3
N/A
Edinburg, Texas , United States
Karate Combat record
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Loss
1-1
Adam Noi
Decision (unanimous)
Karate Combat 49
September 18, 2024
3
3:00
Singapore
Win
1-0
Eoghan Chelmiah
Decision (split)
Karate Combat 44
February 23, 2024
3
3:00
Mexico city , Mexico
See also
References
^ a b c "Erik "Goyito" Pérez nos comparte de su vida" . Fitness Monterrey. Archived from the original on March 31, 2016. Retrieved January 1, 2016 .
^ a b c "Reconocen a Erik 'Goyito' Pérez, peleador de la UFC" . INFO7. Retrieved January 1, 2016 .
^ "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Henderson vs. Khabilov" . UFC.com. Retrieved June 8, 2014 .
^ a b c d " "Goyito" Pérez salió de Guadalupe, Nuevo León a conquistar el MMA" . Vice Sports. 3 November 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2016 .
^ a b c d " 'Goyito' Pérez pronostica que su hermano menor, Jair, será campeón del mundo" . Hoy . 16 May 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2018 .
^ "Erik "El Goyito" Perez – The Journey From Monterrey to MMA's UFC 150" . Southwest Fight News. Aug 10, 2012.
^ "Newcomer Erik Perez Steps In at TUF Live Finale" . MMAWeekly.com. May 15, 2012. Retrieved May 15, 2012 .
^ Chiappetta, Mike (1 June 2012). "Ultimate Fighter Results: Erik Perez Beats John Albert In Controversial Finish" . mmafighting.com . Retrieved 3 June 2022 .
^ "Ken Stone meets Erik Perez in bantamweight bout at UFC 150 in Denver" . mmajunkie.com. July 14, 2012. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved July 15, 2012 .
^ Doyle, Dave (11 August 2012). "UFC 150 Results: Erik Perez Knocks Out Ken Stone in Bantamweight Record Time" . mmafighting.com . Retrieved 3 June 2022 .
^ Dann Stupp (October 22, 2012). "Erik Perez vs. Byron Bloodworth added to UFC 155 in December" . mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on November 12, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2012 .
^ ShinSplints (29 December 2012). "UFC 155 results: Erik Perez brutalizes Byron Bloodworth for 1st round TKO victory" . bloodyelbow.com . Retrieved 3 June 2022 .
^ Dann Stupp (March 6, 2013). "Unbeaten 135-pounders Johnny Bedford and Erik Perez meet at UFC 159" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved March 6, 2013 .
^ Staff (2013-04-22). "Erik Perez out, Johnny Bedford now meets Bryan Caraway at UFC 159" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-04-22 .
^ Staff (2013-06-11). "Takeya Mizugaki vs. Erik Perez set for UFC on Fox Sports 1 2 in Indy" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-06-11 .
^ Regresa Erik "Goyito" Pérez a las Artes Marciales Mixtas 26 August 2013
^ Tristan Critchfield (2013-09-16). "Erik Perez-Edwin Figueroa Bantamweight Clash Targeted for UFC 167 in Las Vegas" . sherdog.com. Retrieved 2013-09-16 .
^ Matt Erickson (2014-04-07). "Bryan Caraway vs. Erik Perez slated for UFC Fight Night 43 in Albuquerque" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-04-07 .
^ Mindenhall, Chuck (7 June 2014). "UFC Fight Night 42 results: Bryan Caraway gets past Erik Perez" . mmafighting.com . Retrieved 3 June 2022 .
^ Mookie Alexander (2014-08-26). "Lamas vs. Bermudez, Ellenberger vs. Gastelum among four fights confirmed for UFC 180" . bloodyelbow.com. Archived from the original on 2019-04-14. Retrieved 2014-08-26 .
^ Guilherme Cruz (2014-10-10). "Erik Perez injured, out of UFC 180 fight with Marcus Brimage" . mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2014-10-10 .
^ Luke Thomas (2015-08-18). "Erik Perez returns after injury layoff against Damian Stasiak at UFC Fight Night 78" . mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2015-08-18 .
^ NickUFC (2015-10-15). "Taylor Lapilus replaces injured Damian Stasiak, faces Erik Perez in Mexico" . bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2015-10-15 .
^ Ben Fowlkes (2015-11-21). "UFC Fight Night 78 results: Emotional Erik Perez tops Taylor Lapilus in front of home fans" . MMAJunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-11-21 .
^ Tristen Critchfield (2015-05-24). "Bantamweights Erik Perez, Francisco Rivera to clash at UFC 201" . sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-05-24 .
^ Brent Brookhouse (2016-07-30). "UFC 201 results: Erik Perez tops Francisco Rivera by decision in unusual brawl" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-07-30 .
^ Staff (2016-09-13). "Erik Perez vs. Felipe Arantes slated for UFC Fight Night 98 in Mexico City" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-09-13 .
^ Steven Marrocco (2016-11-05). "UFC Fight Night 98 results: Erik Perez survives submission attempt, takes split from Felipe Arantes" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-11-05 .
^ Sherdog.com. "After 7-2 UFC Stint, Erik Perez Signs Multi-Year Deal with Combate Americas" . Sherdog . Retrieved 2017-11-02 .
^ Helwani, Ariel (2017-10-31). "Erik Pérez signs with Combate Americas" . MMA Fighting . MMAFighting.com. Retrieved 2018-05-25 .
^ Segura, Danny (2018-03-15). " 'Goyito' Perez set to make Combate Americas debut in April at Combate Estrellas 2" . MMA Fighting . MMAFighting.com. Retrieved 2018-05-25 .
^ Gonzalez, Gabriel (2018-04-21). "Combate Estrellas 2 Results: Goyito Wins Big in Monterrey" . Cageside Press . CagesidePress.com. Retrieved 2018-05-25 .
^ Jesse Holland (September 18, 2018). "Erik Perez vs John Castaneda headlines Combate Americas 'Mexico vs USA' on Oct. 13 in Tucson" . mmamania.com.
^ Guilherme Cruz (October 9, 2018). "Erik Perez out of Combate Americas 24 main event as opponent deals with staph infection" . mmafighting.com.
^ Jose Youngs (October 19, 2018). "Érik 'El Goyito' Pérez vs. Andres Ayala to headline Combate Americas card on Nov. 17" . mmafighting.com.
^ Gabriel Gonzalez (2018-11-20). "Combate Americas: Goyito and Family Steal Show in Monterrey" . cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2019-09-18 .
^ Damon Martin (2019-09-17). "Former UFC, Combate Americas fighter Erik Perez signs with Bellator MMA" . mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2019-09-18 .
^ Farah Hannoun (November 7, 2019). "Erik Perez to make Bellator debut vs. Toby Misech at 'Salute the Troops' card in Hawaii" . mmajunkie.com.
^ Erickson, Matt (21 December 2019). "Toby Misech takes upset KO of Erik Perez with humility at Bellator 235" . mmajunkie.usatoday.com . Retrieved 3 June 2022 .
^ Danny Segura (August 20, 2020). "Erik 'Goyito' Perez sees Bellator bantamweight division up for grabs: 'Next year I can be champion' " . mmajunkie.com.
^ "Bellator 244 Results: Bader vs. Nemkov" . MMAFighting.com . August 21, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2020 .
^ "Erick Pérez tendrá nueva pelea en Bellator; enfrentará a Brian Moore" . www.milenio.com (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved 6 April 2021 .
^ Twitter https://twitter.com/brianmooremma/status/1383160159673974784 . Retrieved 17 April 2021 .
^ " 'Goyito' Pérez tiene nuevo rival para Bellator 258 el 7 de mayo" . ESPN.com.mx (in Spanish). 2021-04-21. Retrieved 2021-04-22 .
^ Sherdog.com. "Bellator 258 'Archuleta vs. Pettis' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring" . Sherdog . Retrieved 2021-05-08 .
^ "Brett Johns vs. Erik Perez in the works for Bellator 268" . MMA Junkie . 2021-08-10. Retrieved 2021-08-11 .
^ Simpson, Lewis (2021-10-06). "Johns vs. Perez Scrapped From Bellator 268" . TarpsOffSports.com . Archived from the original on 2021-10-06. Retrieved 2021-10-06 .
^ "Erik Perez replaces Jared Scoggins, fights Cee Jay Hamilton at Bellator 278" . MMA Junkie . 2022-03-28. Retrieved 2022-03-29 .
^ "Two fights scrapped from Bellator 278 lineup, including 'Goyito' Erik Perez vs. Cee Jay Hamilton" . MMA Junkie . 2022-04-21. Retrieved 2022-04-21 .
^ Segura, Danny; King, Nolan (2023-01-13). "Erik Perez vs. Enrique Barzola booked for Bellator 292" . MMA Junkie . Retrieved 2023-01-14 .
^ Sherdog.com. "Bellator 292 'Nurmagomedov vs. Henderson' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring" . Sherdog . Retrieved 2023-03-11 .
^ "UFC Bantamweight Fights - All Stats" . UFC. August 28, 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-28 .
^ a b c "UFC Bantamweights - All Stats" . UFC. August 28, 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-28 .
^ Thomas Gerbasi (January 1, 2013). "Ten Best - 2012 Newcomer of the Year" . Ultimate Fighting Championship .
External links