UFC books potential title eliminator between Askar Askarov and Alex Perez

The UFC has booked a potential title eliminator in the flyweight division. First reported by BJPenn.com, top flyweights Askar Askarov (14-0-1) and Alex Perez (24-6) will go head-to-head.

The fight is currently scheduled to be the co-headliner of the UFC‘s Fight Night on July 31st. A middleweight contest between Uriah Hall and Sean Strickland is currently scheduled as the main event for the July Fight Night.

For Alex Perez this will be his first fight since UFC 255. Back in November, Perez got a shot at Deiveson Figueiredo and the flyweight title. Perez got the shot after Cody Garbrandt was pulled from the card due to an injury.

Alex Perez was expected to really push the champion, but the fight didn’t last long. After a decent start, Perez was submitted in just under two minutes by Figueiredo. This fight with Askarov gives Perez a chance to stay right in the hunt for the flyweight title.

Since earning a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series, Perez has been one of the best flyweights in the world. In eight fights inside the octagon, Perez has gone 6-2 with his only losses coming against Figueiredo and Joseph Benavidez.

UFC’s next Dagestani champion?

Standing across from Perez on July 31st will be the native of Dagestan, Askar Askarov. Askarov will be making his fifth appearance for the UFC. So far, Askarov has gone an impressive 3-0-1 in his four fights inside the octagon.

The lone draw came against the current flyweight champion Brandon Moreno. In his three wins, Askarov has shown just how good he is. Askarov has great grappling, but he also has tremendous standup.

Back at UFC 259, Askarov took on former multiple-time title challenger Joseph Benavidez. Askarov completely controlled Benavidez in a performance that could have earned him a title shot. However, Askarov didn’t make weight and the promotion likely wanted him to get one more fight in while making the weight before giving him a shot.

No doubt about it, Askarov will be taking on Brandon Moreno for the UFC flyweight title should he defeat Alex Perez next month.