Jussier Formiga

Jussier Formiga vs. Alex Perez

Round 1
Headlining the Fight Pass/ESPN+ prelims -- these are also on ESPN in case you don’t have those subscriptions -- is an inexplicably highly ranked flyweight matchup buried early on the card while multiple bouts between unranked fighters take place later. Longtime contender and seasoned grappler Formiga (23-7, 9-6 UFC) will lock horns with the hard-charging Perez (23-5, 5-1 UFC), and one hopes that this matchup will grant the winner some respect to be placed higher on their next bout order. Referee Keith Peterson’s got this fight covered, and there is now zero nonsense in the building. Perez starts out with a few slapping low leg kicks. Formiga tries to counter over the top with a right hand, but keeps eating these leg kicks and a quick left hook when Perez comes at him. Perez keeps the kicks, and they stand in front of one another and trade huge punches. Formiga might have come out the worse of the exchange, and Perez does not let him off the hook as he walks forward to fires off a few more of those fast-acting low kicks. On one such kick, Perez nearly falls over while throwing it, but it not appear to be damage from kicking it. Instead, Perez hops back up and keeps the kick going, and Formiga has no answer for it. Every so often, Perez works the inside part of Formiga’s leg, and whiffs with a big uppercut in the middle of an exchange. They are not afraid of one another, and are trading punches one after the other. The lead leg for Formiga has started to show some visible damage in the form of redness and swelling, and the two flyweights are three minutes into the fight. Formiga tries to race at him with punches, but Perez ducks it and tries to return fire with that kick. The Brazilian dances out of the way, and stuffs a quick takedown but gets clocked with a four-punch salvo.
One big kick from Perez makes Formiga fall over in pain, and Perez invites him to stand back up where he works it again. Perez winds up with one final leg kick and he slaps his foot off Formiga's swollen calf, and Formiga is down for the count.
He can’t stand up or put any weight on that leg whatsoever, and Peterson dives in to save the Brazilian from any more harm. This is a massive win for Perez, who finishes the durable Formiga in the first frame in impressive fashion. For the second weekend in a row, we have a finish via leg kicks.

The Official Result
Alex Perez def. Jussier Formiga R1 4:06 via TKO (Leg Kicks)

Jussier da Silva vs. Deiveson Figueiredo

Round 1
It’s time for a potential flyweight title eliminator between top contenders Deiveson Figueiredo and Jussier da Silva. The referee is Keith Peterson. They touch gloves. It’s a feeling-out period to start the fight as neither man lands a strike in the first minute. da Silva finally lands a counter straight right as Figueiredo moves in. Figueiredo lands a hard kick to the body. Hard low kick by Figueiredo and da Silva responds with a counter straight left. Figueiredo with a spinning back kick and he uses it to get inside and clinch da Silva against the fence. They break. Da Silva with a straight right. He changes levels and lands a double leg takedown. Da Silva works from top and moves into half guard. Figueiredo is able to get back to his feet but Formiga is pushing him against the fence. Da Silva trips Figueiredo and lands on top in mount. He lands some hard punches and elbows from top before the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores
Adam Martin scores the round: 10-9 da Silva
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 da Silva
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 da Silva

Round 2
Round two begins. Da Silva with a low kick. Figueiredo continues to have a problem finding his range. Kick to the body by da Silva, then a low kick. Figueiredo returns fire with a straight right. Da Silva changes levels and lands a single leg takedown. Da Silva is working from on top landing punches from inside the guard. He lands some hard ground and pound from top but Figueiredo lands an elbow that cuts da Silva’s head open. Da Silva moves into side control but Figueiredo puts his leg in and da Silva is in half guard. He continues to land punches from top until the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores
Adam Martin scores the round: 10-9 da Silva
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 da Silva
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 da Silva

Round 3
Third and final round and da Silva is up two rounds to none. Da Silva clinches up with Figueiredo against the fence but they break. Figueiredo lands a hard uppercut on the break. Figueiredo needs a knockout if he wants to win this fight. Figueiredo has taken control of the center of the Octagon but da Silva is doing a good job circling. Da Silva changes levels for a double leg takedown and Figueiredo pulls guard. Da Silva moves into half guard and has two minutes left to work. He is trying to move into full mount and achieves it. Figueiredo bucks him off and gets back into guard. Figueiredo scrambles back to his feet but da Silva clings to him like glue against the fence. Figueiredo breaks. He is now moving forward and he knows he needs a knockout but only has 30 seconds left. He can’t land anything and the fight is over.

Sherdog Scores
Adam Martin scores the round: 10-9 Da Silva (30-27 Da Silva)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Da Silva (30-27 Da Silva)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Da Silva (30-27 Da Silva)

The Official Result
Jussier da Silva def. Deiveson Figueiredo via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)