Issue 134

November 2015

Veni, vidi, vici: he came, he saw, he conquered. Frankie Perez’s entire Octagon career lasted just four rounds, but boy did it end on a high. Even before he knocked out veteran Sam Stout in Saskatoon, Canada at UFC Fight Night 74, the New Jersey lightweight knew the fight would be his last. And for a poetic end, he rode off into the sunset with a $50,000 bonus.

“I love this sport, I’m a fan of this sport, so walking away now, on top, it just feels right,” said the 26-year-old who lost his UFC debut via third round TKO in January. “It’s a lot of years dedicated to this sport and that was it. That was everything. So I don’t know of any better way to get out.”

Of the overhand right which led to the TKO finish just 54 seconds into the opening round, he added: “I feel incredible. This is something I’ve been searching for; for a knockout finish. 

“I wanted to take my time with Sam because I knew he loves to brawl and he loves to rush forward. So I really wanted him to come at me a little bit, and I wanted to feel his power. He landed a good jab and once I felt that. 

“I caught him with one on the top of his head and so I knew I just had to shorten it up. I threw it and felt it land and as soon as his head hit the floor I saw his eyes roll back in his head and that was it. That was the one that caught him.”

Trunk call

“I just let it all out. I took everything out of the trunk, like my coach says. I lived it 

man. I came here and competed with one of the best lightweights ever and I knocked him out.”

Waiting game

“He was rushing forward with his head up then I knew that right hand was going to 

be there.”

Pretty handy

“I worked really, really hard on my hands these past few years and I’m now just so confident with my hands.”