Nicolau vs Perez Prediction: Two Fighters Live For A Finish

Two enticing UFC flyweight fighters with contrasting styles are facing off this weekend, and our Nicolau vs Perez prediction will make you not want to miss a second of the upcoming action. 

Despite both of these fighters suffering losses in their most recent fights, a big win this weekend for either guy will get them back on track to a potential UFC title fight in the future. 

Yet, before they can set their sights on a championship belt, they'll need to focus on defeating each other first. Especially because our Matheus Nicolau vs Alex Perez prediction is that this will be a war. 

UFC Fight Night: Nicolau vs Perez Prediction

Matheus Nicolau Preview

Matheus Nicolau — a Brazilian fighter with a 19-3-1 professional record, which includes 5 KO and 5 submission victories — knows how to make fights exciting for fans.

This finish from Matheus Nicolau was cold 🥶 #UFCVegas91: Nicolau vs Perez | Saturday | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/JeFbdWcoAp

— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) April 23, 2024

Unfortunately, opponents pulling out of fights have made it so Nicolau has not competed in over a year. Yet, Nicolau's history of impressive performances make him impossible to forget about. 

Nicolau is a well-rounded UFC fighter with a flair for chaos. While he is no slouch in the striking department, it's Nicolau's ground game — his jiu jitsu, specifically — which will be his biggest advantage over Perez on Saturday. 

For that reason, our Nicolau vs Perez prediction is that Nicolau will want to get Perez to the ground as early and as often as possible.

It is no secret that Perez has been submitted 5 times in his professional MMA career. Nicolau would be wise to take advantage of that clear deficiency, and force Perez address his weaknesses. And if Nicolau can do that, we expect to see him win this weekend.

Alex Perez Preview

Alex Perez — an American fighter with a 28-8 professional record, which includes 5 KO and 7 submission victories — has not won a UFC fight since 2020. 

A TKO due to calf kicks! 😱@AlexPerezMMA chops down Formiga at the end of RD 1.

📺 Action switches to @ESPN next. #UFC250 pic.twitter.com/8vVszv48rh

— UFC (@ufc) June 6, 2020

Yet, that losing streak doesn't do Perez's skills justice. 

When he makes it to the octagon, Perez is a well rounded fighter with elite boxing skills. His submission record proves that he is more than capable of conducting himself on the ground. 

Our Matheus Nicolau vs Alex Perez prediction is that Perez will have the advantage when it comes to power. For that reason, it would make sense for Perez to try and keep this fight standing, so that he can avoid Nicolau's submission game. 

Doing so might give Perez a performance bonus, on top of the payout he's already earning this weekend. 

Matheus Nicolau vs Alex Perez: Nicolau Earns a Submission Finish

Our official Nicolau vs Perez submission is that Matheus Nicolau will win. 

We believe Matheus — who is currently a -185 favorite — will earn the victory because he is such an elite grappler. A five round fight almost always goes to the ground at some point. And because Nicolau is so world class at jiu jitsu, we think he will earn a submission finish over Perez at some point. 

For that reason, whenever a Nicolau by submission betting line becomes available, we suggest taking it. 

Regardless of whoever wins this fight, it should come by exciting fashion!