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.

Quick Facts Born, Other names ...
Erik Pérez
BornErik Gregorio Pérez Ruvalcaba[1][2]
(1989-11-19) November 19, 1989 (age 34)
Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico[1][2]
Other namesGoyito
ResidenceSan Diego, California, U.S
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb)
DivisionBantamweight
Reach68 in (170 cm)[3]
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofSan Diego, California, U.S
TeamAlliance MMA
Years active2008–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total29
Wins20
By knockout5
By submission8
By decision7
Losses9
By knockout1
By submission2
By decision6
Notable relativesIván Pérez (brother)[4][5]
Jair Pérez (brother)[4][5]
Jorge Pérez (brother)[4][5]
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
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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
More information Res., Record ...
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
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Karate Combat record

More information Res., 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
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See also

References

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