Markus Perez

Markus Perez Echeimberg (born June 22, 1990) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in the Middleweight division. A professional since 2013, he has also fought for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Jungle Fight and the Legacy Fighting Alliance, where he is the former Middleweight Champion.

Background Echeimberg started training Kung-Fu style Eagle Claw in 2008 to impersonate Bruce Lee and later transitioned to mixed martial arts (MMA) after his brother took him to a jiu-jitsu class.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Echeimberg fought in the Brazilian-based promotions and amassed of a record of 9–0 prior joining UFC after winning the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) middleweight championship.

The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil Echeimberg was chosen to be a fighter on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3. In the opening elimination round, he lost to Guilherme Vasconcelos via submission (rear-naked choke) in the first round.

His next fight came on May 12, 2018, against James Bochnovic at UFC 224. He won the fight via a submission.

On August 25, 2018, Perez faced Andrew Sanchez, replacing Antonio Braga Neto, at UFC Fight Night 135. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Perez faced promotional newcomer Anthony Hernandez on February 2, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 2. He won the fight via technical submission in the second round.

Perez was scheduled to face promotional newcomer Deron Winn on June 22, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 11 However, it was reported on May 9, 2019, that Perez pulled out of the fight due to injury.

Perez was scheduled to face Jack Marshman on November 16, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 22. However, Marshman was pulled from the event for undisclosed reason and he was replaced by Wellington Turman.

Perez faced Wellington Turman on November 16, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Jacaré. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Perez was scheduled to face Alessio Di Chirico, replacing Abu Azaitar, on April 11, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Harris. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was eventually cancelled.

Perez was scheduled to face Eric Spicely on August 1, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan. However, Spicely was removed from the fight on the day of the event's weigh-in for health issues related to his weight cut. Perez will now face Charles Ontiveros

Perez was scheduled to face Rodolfo Vieira on October 11, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 179, However, on September 21, Vieira pulled out due to undisclosed reasons, and he was replaced by promotional newcomer Dricus du Plessis. Perez lost the fight via knockout in round one.

Perez faced Dalcha Lungiambula, replacing Isi Fitikefu, on January 20, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 20. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

On February 4, 2021, it was announced that Perez was released from his UFC contract.

Post-UFC career Perez was scheduled to face Shane O'Shea at Titan FC 68 on March 26, 2021. However, the bout was cancelled due to an unknown reason.

Perez was scheduled to face Christiano Frohlich on July 2, 2021, at LFA 110. The bout was scratched days before the event for unknown reasons.

Perez faced Zac Pauga on October 17, 2021, at Cage Warriors 130. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Perez faced Filipe Moitinho on December 19, 2021, at Thunder Fight 33. He won the bout via guillotine submission 33 seconds into the bout.

Perez faced Emiliano Sordi at Gamebred FC 4 in a bare-knuckle MMA bout on May 5, 2023, losing the bout via unanimous decision.

Global Fight League On December 11, 2024, it was announced that Perez was signed by Global Fight League. However, in April 2025, it was reported that all GFL events were cancelled indefinitely.

Championships and achievements Legacy Fighting Alliance Legacy Fighting Alliance Middleweight Champion (One time) Thunder Fight Thunder Fight Middleweight Champion

Personal life Echeimberg's moniker "Maluko", an adaptation of the word "maluco" which means "crazy" in Portuguese, was given by his teammates, who thought he was crazy after he asked his coach if he could wear Kung Fu pants and shoes while he was boxing training to impersonate Bruce Lee.

Professional boxing record Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location