CR Exclusive Interview with Erik Perez

Photo via MMAJunkie.com

The 22-year-old Jackson’s MMA fighter, Erik “El Goyito Perez”, just turned himself from prospect to contender. At UFC 150, Perez posted the fastest KO at 135 in either the WEC or the UFC with a 17 second knockout over Ken Stone.

Surprisingly, Perez was a small underdog heading into this fight, but an underdog nonetheless. “I’ve been the underdog before, [the underdog status] didn’t affect me”, Perez said, “I was already motivated [heading into the fight]”.

Although he looked very motivated for the quick finish, he didn’t expect it, “Yes, I wasn’t expecting [the quick finish]’, said Perez, “I just want to fight great and have a war if I have to. I’m always prepared for 3 rounds”.

Perez talks about his life since his two quick finishes under the UFC banner, “It hasn’t changed too much, but the experience has been great. I’m not sure [what I’m going to accomplish by the time I’m 30], I’m living the life right now and living the dream”.

Now that he boasts a 2-0 record in the UFC by two 1^st round finishes, Erik Perez is taking it easy and letting the UFC decide his next fight, “Everyone is good at 135 so whomever the UFC says is fine with me. I’m fine fighting with whoever.”

Before the interview was over, Erik Perez explained how he got his nickname: “El Goyito”, “Gregorio is my middle name and ‘Goyo’ is short for Gregorio. When I started fighting professionally I was very young, only 16-years-old, so everyone started calling me “Goyito” for little Gregorio. “

Thanks again to Erik Perez and make sure you guys go follow him on Twitter @Goyito_Perez. Keep him on that list of future title contenders.

Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman Prelim Preview: Miesha Tate vs. Julie Kedzie

This Saturday, on the 18^th of August, San Diego will be hosting the first of Ronda Rousey’s title defenses. The main card is stacked but don’t let that make you look past the undercard. Shown on Showtime Extreme, the prelims will be headlined by Jackson’s MMA standout and Invicta FC color commentator, Julie Kedzie and the former Strikeforce bantamweight champion, Miesha Tate.

Although it seems that this fight should be featured on the main card, it just goes to show you that Strikeforce wanted to give San Diego another great event.

Julie Kedzie
Photo by MMAJunkie.com

Julie Kedzie’s keys to victory: With a decorated background in Tae Kwon Do and a third degree black belt in said martial art, she will obviously want to keep it on the feet as much as she can. That being said, if Miesha can get the takedown, Kedzie has the BJJ skills to get back up, sweep Miesha, or submit her.

Miesha Tate
Photo by MMA Fighting.com

Miesha Tate’s keys to victory: Miesha Tate is a former high school wrestling standout who can take anyone down and hold them there in her division. Her key to victory is to go for the takedown as quickly as possible and try to finish the fight with either ground and pound or a submission.

Although Tate may be the favorite coming into this fight, make no mistake, Kedzie has all the tools to pull of the upset, and decisively so.

We will be posting our predictions tomorrow so be looking for this fight, even if it is on the prelims!