Ivan Perez

BIO

Ivan – brother to Estrellas II headliner Erik Perez — got his nickname “El Muchacho Alegre” (the cheerful boy) when he was young for always having an upbeat attitude. His coach also calls him “Orko” because of his green eyes. When he was 17, Ivan started with Muay Thai and during his progression was introduced to Mike Villareal, who helped Ivan get his start in mixed martial arts in Texas. Once he got the taste for competition, he never looked back. His primary goal as a fighter is to help introduce the world to the budding MMA scene in Monterrey, where many talented fighters exist but are not seen for lack of opportunity.

Outside of MMA, Ivan enjoys outdoor activities like climbing and hiking, as well as camping. He fulfilled one of his career goals by competing in Las Vegas and had the chance to fight for two championship titles in Texas. His family is supportive of his career as a fighter, particularly his mom. He speaks to her every day and she is his biggest fan. That was important to him because he gave up his job as a business trader to pursue his passion for fighting. Competing at Estrellas II validates that decision.