UFC Fight Night 238's Alex Perez confident despite 19-month layoff: 'I'm still one of the best in the world'

LAS VEGAS – We’re nearing two years since the last time Alex Perez was seen in action.

The former UFC flyweight title challenger last fought in July 2022 when he lost by first-round submission to Alexandre Pantoja – who went on to win and defend the flyweight belt. Injuries from both himself and his opponents have kept Perez (24-7 MMA, 6-3 UFC) out of action. Despite the long layoff, Perez believes he’s still among the elite at 125 pounds.

“I feel like I’m still one of the best guys in the division,” Perez said at the UFC Fight Night 238 media day. “I mean, I train with Ricky Simon, Cody Garbrandt, I’ve trained with ‘Chito’ Vera and those guys and I hold my own against them, so I know I’m still one of the best in the world. I haven’t been out to prove it. I lost to Deiveson (Figueiredo) and (Alexandre) Pantoja, two of the best guys in the division. Deiveson, obviously one of the best in the division, and he moved up and is still having success and Pantoja is one of the best in the division right now, and he just beat Brandon Moreno and Brandon Royval. I mean, it’s kind of hard to say I suck. Both these guys are champs, and they’ve run through the division.”

Perez returns this Saturday on the main card of UFC Fight Night 238, which goes down at the UFC Apex. He takes on Muhammad Mokaev (11-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC). Mokaev believes, if victorious, he’ll get a shot against the champion. Perez isn’t too sure it goes both ways.

“I’m not sure,” Perez said. “I haven’t really thought about it. All I think about is Saturday, but at the end of the day, if I do, ‘Ok, yeah. Great.’ But at the same time, Pantoja kinda f*cked me up, and I have to build myself back up. So to me, it doesn’t really matter. Whatever is next is next.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 238.