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Alexandre Pantoja vs. Alex Perez UFC Betting: The Cannibal is hungry for success
Written by: Frank Monkhouse
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Read Time: 5 minutes
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Among the five matchups that make up the UFC 277 main card is a flyweight bout between Alex Perez and Alexandre Pantoja.
The outcome of this contest could help shape the future of the division, thrusting the winner into contention for a crack at the UFC title and leaving the loser to contemplate their next move.
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Alex Perez Fight Information
- Alexandre Pantoja is a fighter ranked at number four in the flyweight division, but victory at UFC 277 would change that.
- Alex Perez is a Californian fighter who can be found at number six on the UFC flyweight list, but he has a chance to move closer to the top names.
- These fighters will enter the octagon on Saturday before a sell-out crowd boasting a combined 13 knockout wins, and this could be another early night.
- Venue & Location: American Airlines Center (Houston, Texas)
- Start Time: approximately 11:15 p.m. Eastern Time (10:15 p.m. local time)
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Alex Perez Odds
Odds are from Bovada Sportsbook.
Moneyline
- Alexandre Pantoja -190
- Alex Perez +160
Total Rounds Over/Under
- Over 2.5 rounds (-145)
- Under 2.5 rounds (+115)
Will the Fight Go the Distance?
- Yes -125
- No -105
Cannibal on the comeback trail
Pantoja is a 32-year-old Brazilian-born professional MMA fighter who has climbed to number four in the UFC flyweight ratings.
The man known in the fight game as The Cannibal has worked his way into a prominent position but knows it will all be for nothing if the win evades him in Texas.
Victory here would catch the eye of UFC supremo Dana White and his backroom staff, who will begin to pay more attention to Alexandre.
A crack at the title before the end of the year certainly wouldn’t be out of the question, but he can’t afford to get too ahead of himself as he has a job to do.
He arrives for fight night with a record detailing 24 wins against five defeats, and, interestingly, he has never lost inside the distance.
Each of his five losses has come on the scorecards with his style, strength and fitness, making him almost impossible to stop.
Last five fights for Alexandre Pantoja
- Won by submission
- Won on points
- Lost on points
- Won by KO
- Lost on points
Perez is a versatile fighter
Alex Perez is an American-born fighter of Mexican descent with a strong wrestling background, which shows in his style of fighting.
He is strong, athletic and fit, happy to go to the ground, or his passion for boxing allows him to stand and trade, and that versatility has served him well so far.
The 30-year-old from California is currently ranked at number six in the UFC’s flyweight division, meaning this bout presents an ideal opportunity to jump the queue.
Victory on Saturday in Houston would see him leapfrog his opponent in the pecking order, making a statement in the process.
Representing Team Oyama, Alex has been active since 2011 but has only recently caught the eye of fans and moved into contention for a shot at the title.
Like his opponent, Perez’s recent form doesn’t do much to inspire confidence, as you can see from the list below.
Last five fights for Alex Perez
- Lost by submission
- Won by TKO
- Won by submission
- Won on points
- Lost by TKO
Perez on the comeback trail
This is an important bout in the career of Perez as he suffered defeat in his previous outing, and two losses on the bounce would send him skidding down the list.
A first-round submission loss to Deiveson Figueiredo on UFC 255 makes this a must-win for Perez, and his team likely knows it.
Taking a closer look at his recent form, each of Alex’s last three bouts has ended inside the distance, losing by submission, winning by TKO leg kicks and a technical submission arm-triangle choke.
We have to go back to March 2019 to find the last time he was involved in a bout that troubled the scoring judges.
There’s no doubt that Perez has the skills to win this contest as he seems to be more of an all-rounder than Pantoja, but his opponent does hold the advantage when it comes to grappling and BJJ.
Perez’s best chance of success looks to come from utilising his superior striking skills and scoring another stoppage victory.
Bet on Pantoja to impress the judges
Pantoja’s form above shows that he is currently stuck in the midst of a sketchy run, but he does travel aiming to land a treble following back-to-back wins in his last two.
That deadly double began with a points win over Manel Kape in Las Vegas before he dealt with Brandon Royval inside two rounds in the same city.
If you intend to back Alexandre to win this contest, you will be interested to learn that two of his last three bouts have travelled the distance, and that’s also true in five of his last ten. Is another victory on the scorecards likely? We certainly think so.
Regardless of the outcome of this bout, you can be sure of a thrilling contest with Pantoja, never in a dull bout.
He won the performance of the night bonus last time out and has picked up an award in three of his last five. Expect fireworks again in Houston.
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Alex Perez Betting Tip: Pantoja to win on points (+170 at Bovada Sportsbook)
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Frank Monkhouse
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