UFC Vegas 91 Main Event Pick

UFC VEGAS 91 MAIN EVENT PICK – Boy was it great to have a weekend off after the historic UFC 300, all MMA fans needed it after coming off such a high. The highlight-reel knockout from Alex Pereira and what could go down as the most iconic moment in UFC history with Max Holloway knocking out Justin Gaethje in dramatic fashion, UFC 300 absolutely delivered.  
 
The UFC is now back to offer up four-straight weekends of events before our next break. Returning with a high-stakes flyweight matchup that could see a fighter position themselves for a title shot by the end of the year, there is plenty to fight for this weekend. 
 
Matheus Nicolau looks to reassert himself amongst the top five and bounce back from his loss to Brandon Royval. 
 
Former title challenger, Alex Perez, has his eyes set on the top 5 and reminding the fanbase of his talent level. 
 
Will the Brazilian get the job done? Or will Perez put on a performance worthy of title contention? Read on to see how these flyweights matchup and how to extract some profit from it.

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Matheus Nicolau 

It was very surprising to see Nicolau get cut from the UFC after a single loss in 2018. However, he got back to action on the regional scene, won two straight fights, and the UFC quickly signed him back in 2021.

He rattled off another four consecutive victories that lined him up against eventual title challenger, Brandon Royval. Nicolau was unable to solve the unorthodox puzzle that Royval presented, ultimately losing by knockout two minutes into the fight. 
 
Nicolau is a BJJ black belt but mainly gets his work done in the striking realm. If he feels a fight is closer, he will lean on his grappling to start controlling and grinding his opponents out.

He is not the most threatening submission artist on the mat but does a decent enough job of controlling his opponents and keeping them in bad spots. I’ve been high on Nicolau throughout his career, so it has been unfortunate to see some of the road bumps he has hit that have kept him from fighting for a title.

Alex Perez 

Starting his UFC career 6-1, with his only defeat coming to veteran Joseph Benavidez in that time, Perez had the eye of the fanbase as a future title holder. He got a title fight against Deiveson Figueiredo in a very short notice spot as the UFC was scattering to put together a main event for their UFC 255 card in November 2020.

It ended up being the wrong choice for Perez as he got submitted two minutes into the first round after a bad takedown attempt. That sparked one of the worst series of events for Perez, which caused the fan base to turn on him. Nine matchups fell through over the next three years, most of them due to his own negligence. When he did make it to the cage the in July 2022, he got submitted almost immediately by eventual titleholder, Alexander Pantoja. 
 
Perez returned last month against undefeated prospect, Muhammad Mokaev, and put on a spirited effort, giving Mokaev more trouble than people expected. That fight showcased Perez still has what it takes to have high-level performances and maybe get close to the potential most saw of him in 2020.

Wrestling was his bread and butter as well as him adopting a nasty calf kicking game that he disposed of Jussier Formiga with. Mentally it seems like Perez is back, especially with getting the monkey off his back in his last fight with Mokaev. I expect to see a more confident, composed, and disciplined version of Perez this weekend. 
 

The Pick

It seems like Perez won the love of the fanbase again after how much resistance he provided to Mokaev. However, not as much as I had thought considering he is an underdog coming into this fight, especially to the extent. I think this is a great matchup for Perez to showcase his wrestling style effectively.

Nicolau may be the superior striker, but I don’t think it’s to the point that it will cause Perez too many issues. Perez should be able to get his wrestling going and I think Nicolau’s overconfidence in his BJJ will cause him to fight off his back for much of the fight. I love the underdog shot here on Perez and if he brings in the confidence he had in his last fight, this will be a long, tough night for Nicolau. 

Perez +150