Valley native makes UFC debut, puts on a show for Anthony Kiedis and more
For fight fans far and wide, it was a delight to be at the first UFC event in Fresno.
The Las Vegas-based promotion made a stop Saturday at Save Mart Center for UFC Fight Night 123, a 13-bout card headlined by the main event won by undefeated Brian Ortega over Cub Swanson. Among those in the crowd of 7,606: Anthony Kiedis, frontman for the band Red Hot Chili Peppers.
But many from the central San Joaquin Valley had a local rooting interest, with Lemoore native Alex Perez making his UFC debut against Carls John De Tomas in a scheduled three-round bantamweight fight.
IT'S OVER!! @AlexPerezMMA gets the 2nd round stoppage on home soil in his UFC debut!! What a win! #UFCFresno pic.twitter.com/nHSZUTgrt4
— UFC (@ufc) December 10, 2017
Perez didn’t need the three rounds, making De Tomas tap out via D’Arce choke at 1:54 of the second round.
“Central Valley what’s up?” Perez said to the crowd, who cheered wildly. “I felt like I should’ve been here a long time ago. Feels amazing. It's cool and amazing to finally be here. Words can’t describe it.”
Perez earlier made his way to the octagon to a big ovation. He talked about wanting to hit people in the face; and he did plenty of that in the second round.
“It felt amazing to go out there in front of all my fans and get the finish,” said Perez, who had his first mixed martial arts bout in 2011 at Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino. “I put a lot of hard work and time into this. I believe in myself and this is an amazing feeling. I knew (De Tomas) was strong and has composure but I trust my game.
“I’m going to go back down to flyweight and see what goes from there. I’m hoping to get in on that Vegas card in March. I also just wanted to thank all the fans that were in Fresno tonight rooting for me. This was a dream come true. Making my UFC debut in my hometown, it can’t get much better than this.”
Perez earned his UFC contract after defeating Kevin Gray on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series on Aug. 8 at The Ultimate Fighter Gym in Las Vegas.
Anthony Galaviz: 559-441-6042, @agalaviz_TheBee
UFC Fight Night 123
Saturday at the Save Mart Center
FS1 main card
Featherweight: Brian Ortega (13-0-0) d. Cub Swanson (25-8-0) by submission (Guillotine choke), 3:22 in Round 2
Featherweight: Gabriel Benitez (20-7-0) d. Jason Knight (20-4-0) by uananimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 30-26)
Bantamweight: Marlon Moraes (20-5-1) vs. Alijamain Sterling (14-3-0) by knockout in Round 1
Lightweight: Scott Holtzman (11-2-0) d. Darrell Horcher (13-3-0) by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Middlweight: Eryk Anders (10-0-0) d. Markus Perez (9-1-0) by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-25, 29-28)
Bantamweight: Benito Lopez (9-0-0) d. Albert Morales (7-3-1) by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
FS1 prelims
Flyweight: Alexis Davis (19-7-0) d. Liz Carmouche (10-6-0) by split-decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Bantamweight: Andre Soukhamthath (12-5-0) d. Luke Sanders (11-2-0) by KO, 1:06 in Round 2
Bantamweight: Alex Perez (19-4-0) d. Carls John De Tomas (8-2-0) by submission via D’Arce choke, 1:54 in Round 2,
Bantamweight: Frankie Saenz (12-5-0) d. Merab Dvalishvili (7-3-0) by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
UFC Fight Pass early prelims
Bantamweight: Alejandro Perez (20-6-1) d. Iuri Alcantara (34-9-0, 1 NC) by unanimious decison (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Lightweight: CDavi Ramos (7-2-0) d. Chris Gruetzemacher (13-3-0) by submssion, 0:50 in Round 3
Middleweight: Trevin Giles (11-0-0) d. Antonio Braga Neto (9-3-0) by TKO, Round 3
This story was originally published December 9, 2017 at 7:31 PM with the headline "Valley native makes UFC debut, puts on a show for Anthony Kiedis and more."