Matheus Nicolau vs Alex Perez Prediction: We're in for a Long Bout

The UFC tournament will be held on April 28th in Las Vegas. The main event will be Mateus Nicolau vs. Alex Perez, a fight in the lightest weight category. Nicolau is currently ranked fifth in this division, while Perez is eighth. 

Matheus Nicolau has been in the UFC since 2021, with five bouts. He's only lost once to Brandon Royval, who knocked him out in the first round and then finished him off with elbows.

Nicolau, a versatile fighter, has demonstrated his ability to knock people out or choke them, often winning by decision. His opponents, though tough, were not the top ones, including Manel Kape, Tim Elliott, and Matt Schnell.

Alex Perez, a promotion veteran and a former title challenger, has had a storied career. He missed both of his chances to take the belt, and his career is in jeopardy. He has had only three bouts in four years and failed all three, but his opponents, including Deiveson Figueiredo, Alexandre Pantoja, and Muhammad Mokaev, were formidable.

We'd say Alex Perez is more dangerous, but all of his passion for early wins from three years ago left him. Now, he needs to get out of the slump by all means. The opponent is weaker than he had in the last three fights, although he is also elite. Nicolau somehow got to the fifth line of the rating, but it seems to be his limit. That's why we believe the opponents are equal now, and the bout will not look like a one-sided beating of anyone.