Erik Perez

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.

Pérez faced John Albert on June 1, 2012, at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale replacing Byron Bloodworth who was removed from the bout. 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.

Pérez next faced Ken Stone on August 11, 2012, at UFC 150. 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.

Pérez fought Byron Bloodworth on December 29, 2012, at UFC 155. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Pérez was expected to face Johnny Bedford on April 27, 2013, at UFC 159. However, Pérez pulled out of the bout just days before the event citing an injury and was replaced by Bryan Caraway.

Pérez faced Takeya Mizugaki on August 28, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 27 He lost the fight via split decision.

Pérez next faced Edwin Figueroa at UFC 167. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Pérez faced Bryan Caraway on June 7, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 42. He lost the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the second round.

Pérez was expected to face Marcus Brimage on November 15, 2014, at UFC 180. However, Pérez pulled out of the bout in mid-October citing a shoulder injury.

Pérez was briefly linked to a fight with Damian Stasiak on November 21, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale. However, Stasiak was removed from the bout and replaced by Taylor Lapilus. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Pérez next faced Francisco Rivera on July 30, 2016, at UFC 201. He won the back-and-forth fight by unanimous decision.

Pérez faced Felipe Arantes on November 5, 2016, at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale. He was awarded a split decision victory. Perez signed with Combate Americas on October 31, 2017, after fighting out his contract with the UFC.

Combate Americas Following his departure from the UFC, Pérez signed a multi-fight contract with Combate Americas. On March 15, 2018, it was announced that Pérez would be fighting against top-ranked fighter in Texas, David "DJ" Fuentes. The fight took place on April 20, and Erik won the fight by knockout.

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.

Pérez then headlined Combate Americas Combate Monterrey on November 17, 2018, against Andres Ayala. He won the fight via rear-naked choke in the first round.

Bellator MMA Following a two-fight stint at Combate Americas, Pérez signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA.

Pérez made his promotional debut against Toby Misech at Bellator 236 on December 20, 2019. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Pérez faced Josh Hill at Bellator 244 on August 21, 2020. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Pérez was expected to face Brian Moore at Bellator 258 on May 7, 2021. However, Moore tested positive for COVID and pulled out of the bout. He was replaced by Blaine Shutt. Pérez won the bout via unanimous decision.

Pérez was scheduled to face Brett Johns on October 16, 2021, at Bellator 268. However on October 5, it was announced that Perez was injured and the bout was scrapped.

Pérez, replacing Jared Scoggins, was scheduled to face Cee Jay Hamilton on April 22, 2022, at Bellator 278. 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.

Pérez faced Enrique Barzola on March 10, 2023, at Bellator 292. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

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. The result was a unanimous decision in his favor, also earning him the symbolic "Legends" belt.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Fastest knockout in UFC Bantamweight division history (0:17) (vs. Ken Stone) Fourth highest takedown accuracy percentage in UFC Bantamweight division history (55.9%) Sixth highest significant strike defense in UFC Bantamweight division history (66.7%)

Budo Sento Championship Budo SC "Legend" title (one time, current)

MMA México MMA Mexico Featherweight Championship (one time, current)

Mixed martial arts record Win

Abraham Canavati Decision (unanimous) MMA Mexico 8

Monterrey, Mexico Win

José Alberto Quiñónez Decision (unanimous) Budo Sento Championship 32

Monterrey, Mexico Loss

Enrique Barzola Decision (unanimous) Bellator 292

San Jose, California, United States Win

Blaine Shutt Decision (unanimous) Bellator 258

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Loss

Josh Hill Decision (unanimous) Bellator 244

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Loss

Toby Misech KO (punches) Bellator 235

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Win

Andres Ayala Submission (rear-naked choke) Combate Americas: Monterrey

Monterrey, Mexico Win

David Fuentes KO (punches) Combate Americas: Estrellas 2

Monterrey, Mexico Win

Felipe Arantes Decision (split) The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale: dos Anjos vs. Ferguson

Mexico City, Mexico Win

Francisco Rivera Decision (unanimous) UFC 201

Atlanta, Georgia, United States Win

Taylor Lapilus Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale: Magny vs. Gastelum

Monterrey, Mexico Loss

Bryan Caraway Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States Win

Edwin Figueroa Decision (unanimous) UFC 167

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Takeya Mizugaki Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann 2

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Win

Byron Bloodworth TKO (punches) UFC 155

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Ken Stone KO (punch) UFC 150

Denver, Colorado, United States Win

John Albert Technical Submission (armbar) The Ultimate Fighter: Live Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Paul McVeigh Decision (unanimous) BAMMA 8

Nottingham, England Win

James Brum Submission (rear-naked choke) BAMMA 7

Birmingham, England Catchweight (140 lbs) bout. Win

Douglas Frey Decision (unanimous) Shark Fights 17

Frisco, Texas, United States Catchweight (150 lbs) bout. Win

Jesse Thorton Submission (rear-naked choke) South Texas FC 15

McAllen, Texas, United States Win

France Atala Submission (rear-naked choke) Triple A Promotions

Laredo, Texas, United States Loss

Jason Sampson Decision (split) South Texas FC 12

McAllen, Texas, United States Loss

David Fuentes Submission (armbar) South Texas FC 11

McAllen, Texas, United States Win

Jeremiah Castillo Submission (armbar) Southwest Cage Association: Duke City Fall Brawl 2

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States Win

Fabian Jacquez Submission (rear-naked choke) Duke City MMA Series 2

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States Win

Albert Martinez TKO (punches) South Texas FC 6

Odessa, Texas, United States Win

Sabino Becerra Submission (triangle choke) South Texas FC 4

McAllen, Texas, United States Win

Josh Scales TKO (punches) South Texas FC 3

McAllen, Texas, United States Loss

Alfredo Morales Decision (split) Warriors FC 1

Mexico City, Mexico Loss

Tim Snyder Decision (split) South Texas FC 2

Edinburg, Texas, United States Karate Combat record Loss

Adam Noi Decision (unanimous) Karate Combat 49

Singapore Win

Eoghan Chelmiah Decision (split) Karate Combat 44

Mexico city, Mexico