FLYWEIGHT THRILLER BETWEEN

(#5) ALEX PEREZ AND (#13) TATSURO TAIRA

HEADLINES AT UFC^® APEX

FEATURED BOUT:

ANDRE MUNIZ vs. IKRAM ALISKEROV

Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to UFC APEX with an exciting flyweight contenders’ bout that will see No. 5 ranked Alex Perez lock horns with undefeated No. 13 Tatsuro Taira. Also, submission ace Andre Muniz squares off with surging Ikram Aliskerov in an intriguing middleweight bout. 

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: PEREZ vs. TAIRA takes place Saturday, June 15 in Las Vegas and will be broadcast on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes, as well as simulcast on ESPN+ in English and Spanish. The main card will begin at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT, with the prelims kicking off at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.

UFC APEX VIP Experience packages are available via On Location, UFC’s Official VIP Experience Provider. Enjoy exclusive access with an official ticket package that includes premium seating, all-inclusive hospitality, in-seat beverage service, meet-and-greets with UFC octagon girls and more. Visit UFCVIP.com for more information.

Perez (24-8, fighting out of Lemoore, Calif.) makes a quick turnaround following his spectacular KO win against Matheus Nicolau in April. A former flyweight title challenger, he also holds victories over Jussier Formiga, Jordan Espinosa and Mark De La Rosa. Perez now plans to defend his spot in the rankings by handing Taira his first career loss.

Taira (15-0, fighting out of Okinawa, Japan) intends to turn heads in his first UFC main event opportunity. A talented finisher, he holds stoppage wins against Carlos Hernandez, Jesus Santos Aguilar and C.J. Vergara. Taira now vies to crack the 125-pound division’s Top 5 by adding a UFC title challenger to his resume.

Muniz (24-6, fighting out of Montes Claros, MG, Brazil) hopes to build off his recent victory over Junyong Park in December. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, he holds notable wins against Uriah Hall, Eryk Anders and Ronaldo Souza. Muniz now looks to halt Aliskerov’s momentum by netting another show-stealing submission.

Aliskerov (15-1, fighting out of Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia) hopes to remain unbeaten in the UFC by securing another highlight-reel finish. Currently riding a seven-fight win streak, he has delivered memorable knockout victories over Warlley Alves and Phil Hawes. Aliskerov now has his sights set on stopping Muniz to earn a shot at the middleweight Top 15.

Additional bouts on the card include: 

• No. 12 ranked flyweight contender Tagir Ulanbekov (15-2, fighting out of Makhachkala, Russia) takes on Joshua Van (10-1, fighting out of Houston, Texas)
• Shayilan Nuerdanbieke (39-11, fighting out of Beijing, China) returns to action against Melquizael Costa (20-7, fighting out of Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil) at featherweight
• Assu Almabayev (19-2, fighting out of Almaty, Kazakhstan) looks to spoil the flyweight debut of Jose Johnson (16-8, fighting out of Copperas Cove, Texas by way of La Romana, Dominican Republic)
• Douglas Silva (29-5 1NC, fighting out of Castanhal, Para, Brazil) collides with Miles Johns (14-2 1NC, fighting out of Kansas City, Mo.) in an exciting bantamweight bout
• Jeka Saragih (14-3, fighting out of Simalungun, Indonesia) meets Westin Wilson (16-9, fighting out of Simpsonville, S.C.) in a featherweight tilt
• Jimmy Flick (17-7, fighting out of Tulsa, Okla.) takes on Nate Maness (15-3, fighting out of Morganfield, Ken.) at flyweight
• Timmy Cuamba (8-2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) faces Lucas Almeida (14-3, fighting out of Sorocaba, Sao Paulo, Brazil)  at featherweight
• Josh Quinlan (6-2 1NC, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) meets Adam Fugitt (9-4, fighting out of Eugene, Ore.) in a welterweight bout
• Josefine Knutsson (7-0, fighting out of Stockholm, Sweden) welcomes UFC newcomer Julia Polastri (12-3, fighting out of Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) in a strawweight matchup
• The Ultimate Fighter season 29 finalist Brady Hiestand (8-2, fighting out of Spokane, Wash.) battles Garrett Armfield (10-3, fighting out of of Boca Raton, Fla.) at bantamweight
• Dana White’s Contender Series signee Carli Judice (3-1, fighting out of Lafayette, La.) squares off with Gabriella Fernandes (8-3, fighting out of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil) at flyweight