Erik Pérez
Mexican mixed martial arts fighter (born 1989)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
| Erik Pérez | |
|---|---|
| Born | Erik Gregorio Pérez Ruvalcaba[1][2] November 19, 1989 Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico[1][2] |
| Other names | Goyito |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Weight | 145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb) |
| Division | Bantamweight |
| Reach | 68 in (170 cm)[3] |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | San Diego, California, U.S |
| Team | Alliance MMA |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 31 |
| Wins | 22 |
| By knockout | 5 |
| By submission | 8 |
| By decision | 9 |
| Losses | 9 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 6 |
| Other information | |
| Notable relatives | Iván Pérez (brother)[4][5] Jair Pérez (brother)[4][5] Jorge Pérez (brother)[4][5] |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Personal life
Erik Pérez was born in Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico. He 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][11]
Pérez fought Byron Bloodworth on December 29, 2012, at UFC 155.[12] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[13]
Pérez was expected to face Johnny Bedford on April 27, 2013, at UFC 159.[14] However, Pérez pulled out of the bout just days before the event citing an injury and was replaced by Bryan Caraway.[15]
Pérez faced Takeya Mizugaki on August 28, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 27[16] He lost the fight via split decision.[17]
Pérez next faced Edwin Figueroa at UFC 167.[18] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[19]
Pérez faced Bryan Caraway on June 7, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 42.[20] He lost the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the second round.[21]
Pérez was expected to face Marcus Brimage on November 15, 2014, at UFC 180.[22] However, Pérez pulled out of the bout in mid-October citing a shoulder injury.[23]
Pérez was briefly linked to a fight with Damian Stasiak on November 21, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale.[24] However, Stasiak was removed from the bout and replaced by Taylor Lapilus.[25] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[26][27]
Pérez next faced Francisco Rivera on July 30, 2016, at UFC 201.[28] He won the back-and-forth fight by unanimous decision.[29]
Pérez faced Felipe Arantes on November 5, 2016, at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale.[30] He was awarded a split decision victory.[31] Perez signed with Combate Americas on October 31, 2017, after fighting out his contract with the UFC.[32]
Combate Americas
Following his departure from the UFC, Pérez signed a multi-fight contract with Combate Americas.[33] On March 15, 2018, it was announced that Pérez would be fighting against top-ranked fighter in Texas, David "DJ" Fuentes.[34] The fight took place on April 20, and Erik won the fight by knockout.[35]
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.[36][37]
Pérez then headlined Combate Americas Combate Monterrey on November 17, 2018, against Andres Ayala.[38] He won the fight via rear-naked choke in the first round.[39]
Bellator MMA
Following a two-fight stint at Combate Americas, Pérez signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA.[40]
Pérez made his promotional debut against Toby Misech at Bellator 236 on December 20, 2019.[41] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[42]
Pérez faced Josh Hill at Bellator 244 on August 21, 2020.[43] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[44]
Pérez was expected to face Brian Moore at Bellator 258 on May 7, 2021.[45] However, Moore tested positive for COVID and pulled out of the bout.[46] He was replaced by Blaine Shutt.[47] Pérez won the bout via unanimous decision.[48]
Pérez was scheduled to face Brett Johns on October 16, 2021, at Bellator 268.[49] However on October 5, it was announced that Perez was injured and the bout was scrapped.[50]
Pérez, replacing Jared Scoggins, was scheduled to face Cee Jay Hamilton on April 22, 2022, at Bellator 278.[51] 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.[52]
Pérez faced Enrique Barzola on March 10, 2023, at Bellator 292.[53] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[54]
Budo Sento Championship
In Budo Sento Championship, Pérez faced José Alberto Quiñónez on November 28, 2025, at BSC Vol. 32, which was his first fight in over two years.[55][56] The result was a unanimous decision in his favor, also earning him the symbolic "Legends" belt.[57]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Fastest knockout in UFC Bantamweight division history (0:17) (vs. Ken Stone)[58]
- Fourth highest takedown accuracy percentage in UFC Bantamweight division history (55.9%)[59]
- Sixth highest significant strike defense in UFC Bantamweight division history (66.7%)[59]
- Seventh fewest strikes absorbed-per-minute in UFC Bantamweight division history (2.09)[59]
- UFC.com Awards
- Budo Sento Championship
- Budo SC "Legend" title (one time, current)
- MMA México
- MMA Mexico Featherweight Championship (one time, current)
Mixed martial arts record
| 31 matches | 22 wins | 9 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 1 |
| By submission | 8 | 2 |
| By decision | 9 | 6 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 22–9 | Abraham Canavati | Decision (unanimous) | MMA Mexico 8 | June 27, 2026 | 3 | 5:00 | Monterrey, Mexico | Won the vacant MMA Mexico Featherweight Championship. |
| Win | 21–9 | José Alberto Quiñónez | Decision (unanimous) | Budo Sento Championship 32 | November 28, 2025 | 5 | 5:00 | Monterrey, Mexico | Won the vacant SBC Featherweight Championship. |
| 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: Monterrey | November 17, 2018 | 1 | 3:39 | Monterrey, Mexico | |
| Win | 18–6 | David Fuentes | KO (punches) | Combate Americas: Estrellas 2 | April 20, 2018 | 3 | 1:22 | Monterrey, Mexico | |
| 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 | |
| Win | 11–4 | John Albert | Technical 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 | July 15, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Frisco, Texas, United States | Catchweight (150 lbs) bout. |
| Win | 7–4 | Jesse Thorton | Submission (rear-naked choke) | South Texas FC 15 | 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) | South Texas FC 12 | September 3, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | McAllen, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 5–3 | David Fuentes | Submission (armbar) | South Texas FC 11 | May 28, 2010 | 3 | 3:01 | McAllen, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 5–2 | Jeremiah Castillo | Submission (armbar) | Southwest Cage Association: 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) | Duke City MMA Series 2 | July 25, 2009 | 1 | 0:55 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | |
| Win | 3–2 | Albert Martinez | TKO (punches) | South Texas FC 6 | April 11, 2009 | 1 | 2:17 | Odessa, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 2–2 | Sabino Becerra | Submission (triangle choke) | South Texas FC 4 | November 1, 2008 | 1 | 3:29 | McAllen, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 1–2 | Josh Scales | TKO (punches) | South Texas FC 3 | August 2, 2008 | 1 | 1:09 | McAllen, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 0–2 | Alfredo Morales | Decision (split) | Warriors FC 1 | June 28, 2008 | 3 | 3:00 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Loss | 0–1 | Tim Snyder | Decision (split) | South Texas FC 2 | May 3, 2008 | 3 | N/A | Edinburg, Texas, United States | Bantamweight debut. |
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 |
