UFC flyweight contender Alex Perez has opened up about one of the most painful moments of his career, revealing the extent of damage he experienced from a low blow during his recent bout at UFC Macau.
Perez did not hold back when describing the aftermath of the illegal strike, explaining that he had to be rushed to the hospital that night and was immediately placed on painkillers. The veteran star described a severe case of thrombosis, a condition where the veins become blocked, resulting in blood clots forming in the injured area. The result was major swelling that he compared to the size of a softball and a golf ball for several weeks.
When asked to elaborate on just how intense the experience was, Perez made it clear this was unlike any low blow he had endured in his career.
“I’ve been hit before. I’ve been able to power through it, but this was different,” he said. He went on to detail the consultation with a urologist, who confirmed that the strike had landed directly on the veins where the nerves are concentrated. “He said, ‘Man, that pain was ruthless.’ I had a headache. I was hurting. I was dry heaving. It was bad.”
Perez was adamant that surgery would not be necessary, expressing relief at the news while still acknowledging how difficult the recovery period had been. He noted that the incident may not have looked particularly dramatic on camera, but the reality behind the scenes was far worse than what viewers witnessed.
Despite the ordeal, Perez showed the same hardened mentality that has defined his career. He admitted that the experience has prompted a change in his training habits, saying he now wears a cup during practice, something he had previously avoided.
For years he had gotten away without wearing one, managing to power through incidental contact, but this particular incident changed his perspective entirely.
Looking ahead, Perez is focused on his upcoming rematch and made his intentions clear. He wants a finish, preferably with his hands, and is determined to put on a show. He acknowledged that he came up short with his striking accuracy in their first meeting, missing by just a couple of inches on several occasions. He is confident that small adjustments will make the difference this time around.
As for his place in the flyweight division, Perez has grown accustomed to the love-dislike relationship he has with fans. He pointed to a difficult stretch in his career that included multiple injury setbacks, including a torn knee against Tatsuro Taira, which kept him sidelined for an extended period. Through it all, he continues to take whatever matches the promotion offers him without hesitation.
