The UFC returns to the UFC APEX with a thrilling fight card headlined by a flyweight contenders' bout between fifth-ranked Alex Perez and undefeated thirteenth-ranked Tatsuro Taira.
The event, UFC FIGHT NIGHT: PEREZ vs TAIRA, is scheduled for Saturday, June 15, in Las Vegas and will be aired on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ in both English and Spanish. The main card kicks off at 10 p.m. ET, preceded by the prelims at 7 p.m. ET.
Alex Perez (24-8), hailing from Lemoore, California, is coming off a spectacular knockout win over Matheus Nicolau in April. A former flyweight title challenger, Perez boasts victories over fighters such as Jussier Formiga and Mark De La Rosa. He aims to maintain his ranking by delivering Taira his first professional defeat.
Tatsuro Taira (15-0), from Okinawa, Japan, steps into his first UFC main event with a reputation as a formidable finisher. With stoppage victories over opponents like Carlos Hernandez and C.J. Vergara, Taira seeks to break into the top five of the flyweight division by defeating a former title challenger.
The card also features a compelling middleweight bout as submission specialist Andre Muniz (24-6) of Brazil faces the formidable Ikram Aliskerov (15-1) from Dagestan, Russia.
Muniz, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, is notable for wins over Uriah Hall and Ronaldo Souza.
Aliskerov, currently on a seven-fight winning streak, aims to extend his unbeaten record in the UFC with another standout performance.
Additional exciting matchups include:
Tagir Ulanbekov versus Joshua Van in a flyweight contest.
Featherweight action as Shayilan Nuerdanbieke faces Melquizael Costa.
Assu Almabayev takes on Jose Johnson in what promises to be an intense flyweight debut.
Bantamweights Douglas Silva and Miles Johns collide in a must-watch bout.
Featherweights Jeka Saragih and Westin Wilson go head-to-head.
Flyweights Jimmy Flick and Nate Maness battle it out in the cage.
Timmy Cuamba and Lucas Almeida face off in a featherweight clash.
Welterweights Josh Quinlan and Adam Fugitt square off in the octagon.
Strawweights Josefine Knutsson and UFC newcomer Julia Polastri compete.
Bantamweights Brady Hiestand and Garrett Armfield throw down.
Flyweight newcomers Carli Judice and Gabriella Fernandes make their UFC debuts.