UFC 301 is a week away but the next Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight title contender may have already presented himself.
No. 8 contender Alex Perez busted his way into the title picture with a dynamite second-round knockout over Matheus Nicolau in the main event Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Perez (25-8) entered on a three-fight losing streak against the top talent in the division but proved he’s more than an afterthought with the highlight-reel finish. Nicolau (19-4-1) entered as the No. 5 contender coming off a stoppage loss to Brandon Royval and will slip further down the rankings after suffering his second-straight knockout.