Erik Perez – Page 3 – Syndication Server

Bellator 235: Erik Perez full pre-fight interview

Bellator ‘Salute the Troops 2019’ pre-event facts: Josh Barnett returns from longest layoff

Check out all the facts and figures about Bellator 235, which takes place Friday with a Josh Barnett vs. Ronny Markes main event.

The first half of Bellator’s weekend doubleheader in Hawaii takes place on Friday with Bellator 235, or “Salute the Troops 2019,” which takes place at Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu and airs on Paramount following prelims on MMA Junkie.

A heavyweight matchup between promotional newcomers is featured atop the card. Former UFC champion [autotag]Josh Barnett[/autotag] (35-8 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) will return to action for the first time since 2016 when he meets [autotag]Ronny Markes[/autotag] (19-7 MMA, 0-0 BMMA).

For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the main card, check below for 20 pre-event facts about “Bellator and USO Present: Salute the Troops 2019.”

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Main event

Barnett returns to competition for the first time since Sept. 3, 2016. The 1,204-day layoff is the longest of his nearly 23-year career.

Barnett competes outside the UFC for the first time since January 2013. He went 4-2 in his most recent stint with the company.

Barnett has earned nine of his past 10 victories by stoppage. He has finishes in 29 of his 35 career victories overall.

Barnett’s nine submission victories in UFC/PRIDE/Strikeforce/WEC heavyweight competition are second most in combined divisional history behind Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (13).

Barnett is 14-2 when he lands at least one takedown in fights dating back to 2004.

Barnett’s 146 significant strikes landed against Roy Nelson at UFC Fight Night 75 are the second most in a single UFC heavyweight behind Junior Dos Santos’ 157 vs. Ben Rothwell at UFC Fight Night 86.

Barnett’s 95 significant clinch strikes landed against Nelson stand as the UFC heavyweight record.

Markes makes his Bellator debut after being a four-fight veteran of PFL and five-fight UFC veteran.

Markes is 3-3 in his past six fights dating back to June 2017.

Co-main event

[autotag]Erik Perez[/autotag] (19-6 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) makes his Bellator debut on a five-fight winning streak. He hasn’t suffered a defeat since June 2017.

[autotag]Toby Misech[/autotag] (10-6 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) has altered wins and losses over his past four fights. He won his most recent bout at Bellator 215 in February.

Remaining main card

[autotag]Veta Arteaga[/autotag] (5-3 MMA, 4-3 BMMA) competes in her eighth Bellator flyweight bout, tied with Emily Ducote for the second most appearances in divisional history behind Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (nine).

Arteaga’s four victories in Bellator flyweight competition are tied with Ducote for second most in divisional history behind Macfarlane (nine).

[autotag]Alejandra Lara[/autotag] (8-3 MMA, 2-2 BMMA) has earned seven of her eight career victories by stoppage.

[autotag]Joey Davis[/autotag]’ (6-0 MMA, 6-0 BMMA) four-fight Bellator winning streak at welterweight is the second longest active streak in the division behind Logan Storley (five).

[autotag]Chris Cisneros[/autotag] (17-9 MMA, 0-2 BMMA) is winless in two Bellator stints dating back to 2011.

Cisneros’ three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since January 2017.

Bellator 235 (Salute the Troops 2019): Make your predictions for Josh Barnett vs. Ronny Markes

We want your predictions for Friday’s Bellator 235 event in Hawaii featuring Josh Barnett vs. Ronny Markes.

We want your predictions for this week’s Bellator 235 “Salute the Troops 2019” event in Hawaii.

Our staff picks feature includes the consensus picks from MMA Junkie readers. Simply cast your vote for each bout below, and we’ll use the official tallies that are registered by Wednesday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).

Those MMA Junkie reader consensus picks will be part of the Bellator 235 event staff predictions we release Thursday ahead of the event. Bellator 235 (“Bellator and USO Present: Salute the Troops 2019”) takes place Friday at Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu. The main card airs on Paramount and streams on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.

Make your picks for all five main card fights inside.

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Erik Perez’s 3-step plan: Fireworks at Bellator 235, win again, make Bellator Mexico happen

Ahead of his promotional debut, “Goyito” is planning his path to make Bellator Mexico a reality.

[autotag]Erik Perez[/autotag] has a three-step plan.

Yet to make his mark in Bellator, Perez first and foremost has his eyes set on Bellator 235 “Salute The Troops” opponent Toby Misech. But beyond that, he’s aiming for something more monumental.

Bellator has never promoted an event in Mexico. “Goyito” wants to be the one to spearhead this effort.

“This is my dream,” Perez told MMA Junkie on Tuesday. “When my manager told me I had the opportunity to fight in Bellator, I’ve always wanted to fight in my town. Bring Bellator to Mexico is in my dreams right now.

“I need to win this fight and push through. Then, win another fight and make that happen. It’s going to be a dream coming true making Bellator’s first show in Mexico.”

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Facing a stiff test in Dana White’s Contender Series alumnus Misech (11-7 MMA, 1-1 BMMA), Perez (19-6 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) says fight fans can expect “fireworks” Dec. 20 in Honolulu. The fight will be Perez’s first since November 2018.

“You’re going to see us throw down,” Perez said. “A lot of boxing, a lot of back-and-forth. I’m ready to put on a show. I want to be an exciting fighter. Every time I step in the cage, I want other people to have that feeling, ‘This is going to be a good fight.’ So I’m going to go and throw down, and it’s going to be fireworks.”

Whether it’s Bellator Hawaii or Bellator Mexico, Perez indicated he’s ecstatic to be back with a major promotion. From 2012 to 2016, Perez competed in the UFC before upping and leaving for Combate Americas. Perez believes Bellator is getting the best version of himself.

“I left the UFC because it was my third contract, and it was not decent money,” Perez said. “This is why I left. Now, coming to Bellator, my manager is doing everything for me.

“… I’m in my prime time. I’m stronger, faster and better technique-wise. I’m very technical right now. So this is a good moment to have my debut in Bellator. ”

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