Markus Perez Echeimberg[5] (born June 22, 1990) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in the Middleweight division. A professional since 2013, he has also fought for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Jungle Fight and the Legacy Fighting Alliance, where he is the former Middleweight Champion.

Markus Perez Echeimberg
Born (1990-06-22) June 22, 1990 (age 34)
São Paulo, Brazil
Other namesMaluko
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
DivisionMiddleweight
Welterweight
Reach73 in (185 cm)
Fighting out ofSão Paulo, Brazil
TeamViscardi Andrade Team
Veras TK
American Top Team[1]
Teacher(s)Viscardi Andradre[2]
RankBrown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[3]
Black prajiad in Muay Thai[3]
Years active2013–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total21
Wins14
By knockout3
By submission8
By decision3
Losses7
By knockout1
By decision6
Occupationsoftware developer[4]
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

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Echeimberg started training Kung-Fu style Eagle Claw in 2008 to impersonate Bruce Lee[6] and later transitioned to mixed martial arts (MMA) after his brother took him to a jiu-jitsu class.[3] Prior competing full-time in MMA, Markus worked as an information technology engineer at technology school and he was also a freelanced software developer, and he quit his job and college to teach Muay Thai and competed in Brazilian jiu-jitsu to make a living so he could pursue MMA full-time. After made it to the preliminary round of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3, he gained his parents support as they realized his seriousness of his MMA career choice.[4]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Echeimberg fought in the Brazilian-based promotions and amassed of a record of 9–0 prior joining UFC after winning the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) middleweight championship.[7][8]

The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil

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Echeimberg was chosen to be a fighter on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3. In the opening elimination round, he lost to Guilherme Vasconcelos via submission (rear-naked choke) in the first round.[5]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Less than two months after winning the vacant Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA), Echeimberg was signed by UFC. Perez made his UFC debut on December 9, 2017, against Eryk Anders, replacing John Phillips, at UFC Fight Night 123.[8] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[9]

His next fight came on May 12, 2018, against James Bochnovic at UFC 224.[10] He won the fight via a submission.[11]

On August 25, 2018, Perez faced Andrew Sanchez, replacing Antonio Braga Neto, at UFC Fight Night 135.[12] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[13]

Perez faced promotional newcomer Anthony Hernandez on February 2, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 2.[14] He won the fight via technical submission in the second round.[15]

Perez was scheduled to face promotional newcomer Deron Winn on June 22, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 11[16] However, it was reported on May 9, 2019, that Perez pulled out of the fight due to injury.[17]

Perez was scheduled to face Jack Marshman on November 16, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 22.[18] However, Marshman was pulled from the event for undisclosed reason and he was replaced by Wellington Turman.[19]

Perez faced Wellington Turman on November 16, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Jacaré.[20] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[21]

Perez was scheduled to face Alessio Di Chirico, replacing Abu Azaitar, on April 11, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Harris.[22] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was eventually cancelled.[23]

Perez was scheduled to face Eric Spicely on August 1, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan.[24] However, Spicely was removed from the fight on the day of the event's weigh-in for health issues related to his weight cut. Perez will now face Charles Ontiveros[25]

Perez was scheduled to face Rodolfo Vieira on October 11, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 179,[26] However, on September 21, Vieira pulled out due to undisclosed reasons,[27] and he was replaced by promotional newcomer Dricus du Plessis.[28] Perez lost the fight via knockout in round one.[29]

Perez faced Dalcha Lungiambula, replacing Isi Fitikefu, on January 20, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 20.[30] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[31]

On February 4, 2021, it was announced that Perez was released from his UFC contract.[32]

Post-UFC career

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Perez was scheduled to face Shane O'Shea at Titan FC 68 on March 26, 2021.[33] However, the bout was cancelled due to an unknown reason.

Perez was scheduled to face Christiano Frohlich on July 2, 2021, at LFA 110.[34] The bout was scratched days before the event for unknown reasons.[35]

Perez faced Zac Pauga on October 17, 2021, at Cage Warriors 130. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[36]

Perez faced Filipe Moitinho on December 19, 2021, at Thunder Fight 33. He won the bout via guillotine submission 33 seconds into the bout.[37]

Perez faced Emiliano Sordo at Gamebred FC 4 in a bare-knuckle MMA bout on May 5, 2023,[38] losing the bout via unanimous decision.[39]

Championships and achievements

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Personal life

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Echeimberg's moniker "Maluko", an adaptation of the word "maluco" which means "crazy" in Portuguese, was given by his teammates, who thought he was crazy after he asked his coach if he could wear Kung Fu pants and shoes while he was boxing training to impersonate Bruce Lee.[6]

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
21 matches 14 wins 7 losses
By knockout 3 1
By submission 8 0
By decision 3 6
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 14–7 Emiliano Sordi Decision (unanimous) Gamebred Fighting Championship 4 May 5, 2023 3 5:00 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Bare Knuckle MMA.
Win 14–6 Chase Gamble Submission (rear-naked choke) AFL: Invincible 2023 January 20, 2023 1 2:10 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Win 13–6 Filipe Moitinho Submission (guillotine choke) Thunder Fight 33 December 19, 2021 1 0:33 São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil Return to Middleweight.
Loss 12–6 Zac Pauga Decision (unanimous) Cage Warriors 130 October 17, 2021 3 5:00 San Diego, California, United States Light Heavyweight debut.
Loss 12–5 Dalcha Lungiambula Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Magny vs. Chiesa January 20, 2021 3 5:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Loss 12–4 Dricus du Plessis KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen October 11, 2020 1 3:22 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Loss 12–3 Wellington Turman Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Jacaré November 16, 2019 3 5:00 São Paulo, Brazil
Win 12–2 Anthony Hernandez Technical Submission (anaconda choke) UFC Fight Night: Assunção vs. Moraes 2 February 2, 2019 2 1:07 Fortaleza, Brazil
Loss 11–2 Andrew Sanchez Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Gaethje vs. Vick August 25, 2018 3 5:00 Lincoln, Nebraska, United States
Win 11–1 James Bochnovic Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 224 May 12, 2018 1 4:28 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Loss 10–1 Eryk Anders Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega December 9, 2017 3 5:00 Fresno, California, United States
Win 10–0 Ian Heinisch Submission (arm-triangle choke) LFA 22 September 8, 2017 1 2:14 Broomfield, Colorado, United States Won the vacant LFA Middleweight Championship.
Win 9–0 Ildemar Alcântara Decision (unanimous) Arzalet Fighting Globe Championship 1 February 10, 2017 1 2:14 São Paulo, Brazil
Win 8–0 Paulo Thiago Decision (unanimous) Thunder Fight 7 June 25, 2016 5 5:00 São Paulo, Brazil Won the vacant TF Middleweight Championship.
Win 7–0 Fabricio Almeida Gonçalves KO (spinning back elbow) Aspera Fighting Championship 38 May 27, 2016 3 0:34 São Paulo, Brazil
Win 6–0 Anderson Melo TKO (punches) Battle of Kings December 5, 2015 1 1:27 Ilhéus, Brazil Welterweight bout.
Win 5–0 Rafael Silva Submission (rear-naked choke) Thunder Fight 2 December 19, 2014 1 2:42 São Paulo, Brazil Middleweight debut.
Win 4–0 Giovani Colombo Submission (arm-triangle choke) Interior Fight: Fight For Your Destiny October 26, 2013 1 0:30 São Paulo, Brazil
Win 3–0 Bruno da Silva Submission (kneebar) Jungle Fight 58 September 14, 2013 1 3:17 São Paulo, Brazil Welterweight bout.
Win 2–0 Marcelo Matias Decision (unanimous) RSF 5 August 24, 2013 3 5:00 São Paulo, Brazil
Win 1–0 Rene Pessoa TKO (punches) Pegada Magazine: Desafio Revista Pegada April 18, 2013 2 3:29 São Paulo, Brazil

[42]

Professional boxing record

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1 fight 1 win 0 losses
By knockout 1 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
3 Win 1-0 Joe Riggs TKO (ankle injury) 3 (6), 1:19 Apr 1st, 2023 Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.


See also

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References

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  1. ^ Guilherme Cruz (September 22, 2020). "Rib injury knocks Rodolfo Vieira out of Fight Island bout with Markus Perez". mmafighting.com.
  2. ^ "Welcome to the UFC: Benito Lopez and Markus Perez". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  3. ^ a b c "Markus Perez - Official UFC Profile". UFC.com. 14 September 2018. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Markus Perez's mom didn't support his career switch to MMA. Now, she's his nutritionist". MMAjunkie. 2018-08-22. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  5. ^ a b "TUF Brazil 3: Episode 2 Recap". UFC. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  6. ^ a b "'Crazy' Markus Perez has bold plan for MMA career: win two UFC belts". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  7. ^ Sherdog.com. "Markus". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  8. ^ a b "LFA champion Markus Perez signs with the UFC, meets Eryk Anders in Fresno". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  9. ^ "UFC Fight Night 123 results: Eryk Anders dominates Markus Perez, calls out Lyoto Machida". MMAjunkie. 2017-12-10. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  10. ^ "Markus Perez vs. James Bochnovic added to UFC 224". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  11. ^ "UFC 224 results: Markus Perez taps out James Bochnovic for first UFC win". MMAjunkie. 2018-05-12. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  12. ^ "Antonio Braga Neto Out, Markus Perez In To Face Andrew Sanchez at UFC Lincoln ⋆ MMA TakeOver". MMA TakeOver. 2018-08-02. Archived from the original on 2018-10-17. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  13. ^ "UFC Fight Night 135 results: Andrew Sanchez tops animated Markus Perez by decision". MMAjunkie. 2018-08-26. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  14. ^ "Multiple UFC 233 fights get new dates, locations after Jan. 26 card scratched". MMAjunkie. 2018-12-12. Retrieved 2018-12-13.
  15. ^ "UFC Fortaleza results: Markus Perez stuns, chokes out Anthony Hernandez". MMAjunkie. 2019-02-03. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
  16. ^ "UFC debuut voor ongeslagen Deron Winn tegen Markus Perez tijdens UFC Greenville". MMA DNA. 18 April 2019. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
  17. ^ MMA Fighting Newswire (2019-05-09). "Markus Perez out of UFC Greenville bout vs. Deron Winn due to injury". mmfighting. Retrieved 2019-05-10.
  18. ^ "Markus Perez vs. Jack Marshman toegevoegd aan UFC São Paulo evenement". MMA DNA. 23 September 2019. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
  19. ^ Redactie (11 October 2019). "Wellington Turman replaces Jack Marshman against Markus Perez during UFC São Paulo". Retrieved 2019-10-12.(in Dutch)
  20. ^ "Wellington Turman vervangt Jack Marshman tegen Markus Perez tijdens UFC São Paulo". MMA DNA. 11 October 2019. Retrieved 2019-11-17.
  21. ^ McClory, Mike (2019-11-16). "UFC Sao Paulo Results: Wellington Turman Takes Decision Against Markus Perez". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-11-17.
  22. ^ Redactie (26 December 2019). "Azaitar vs. Di Chirico and Avila vs. Rosa added to UFC event on April 11". mmadna.com. Retrieved 2019-12-27.(in Dutch)
  23. ^ Nolan King and John Morgan (2020-03-15). "UFC postpones three events amid growing coronavirus outbreak". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  24. ^ fightful.com, EliteGuy101 | 6/3/2020 Filed Under: "UFC" Source (2020-06-03). "Markus Perez Will Take On Eric Spicely At The UFC Fight Night Event On August 1". TheRingReport.com. Archived from the original on 2020-06-12. Retrieved 2020-06-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  25. ^ Nolan King (2020-07-31). "Eric Spicely out of UFC on ESPN+ 31 bout vs. Markus Perez; replacement found". mmajunkiecom. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
  26. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (2020-08-04). "Rodolfo Vieira vs. Markus Perez added to Oct. 10 UFC event". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2020-08-05.
  27. ^ Nolan King (2020-09-21). "Markus Perez dares Khamzat Chimaev to step in after Rodolfo Vieira withdraws from Oct. 10 fight". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-09-22.
  28. ^ Raphael Marinho (2020-09-24). "UFC sets former KSW champion as opponent of Markus Maluko, October 10". globoesporte.com. Retrieved 2020-09-24. (in Portuguese)
  29. ^ Bitter, Shawn (2020-10-10). "UFC Fight Island 5 Results: Dricus Du Plessis Impresses in Debut With KO". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-10-11.
  30. ^ "Short notice partij voor Markus Perez in Abu Dhabi tegen Dalcha Lungiambula op 20 januari". MMA DNA. 2021-01-02. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
  31. ^ "UFC Fight Island 8 Results: Dalcha Lungiambula Outlasts Markus". 20 January 2021.
  32. ^ Guillherme Cruz, Damon Martin (2021-02-04). "TUF Brazil winner Antonio Carlos Junior, 11 others no longer under contract with UFC". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved 2021-02-04.
  33. ^ Bryan Henderson (March 24, 2021). "Out of Obscurity: Babilon MMA 20, Titan FC 68 and LFA 103". combatpress.com.
  34. ^ "LFA starts the 4th of July Weekend Fireworks with Championship Doubleheader at LFA 110 : Legacy Fighting Alliance News". news.lfa.com. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  35. ^ Sherdog.com. "LFA 110 Weigh-in Results: Interim Flyweight Title Bout Set". Sherdog. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
  36. ^ "Cage Warriors 130 Results". MMA Sucka. 2021-10-18. Retrieved 2021-10-19.
  37. ^ "Thunder Fight 33 consagra Marcos Babuíno, Markus Maluco e ex-campeão do TUF Brasil". Terra (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2021-12-23.
  38. ^ Heck, Mike (2023-04-21). "Roy Nelson vs. Dillon Cleckler headlines Jorge Masvidal's Gamebred Bareknuckle event on May 5". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  39. ^ "Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA live stream, results: Roy Nelson vs. Dillon Cleckler". MMA Junkie. 6 May 2023.
  40. ^ "LFA 22 results: Markus Perez claims title with slick first-round choke". MMAjunkie. 2017-09-09. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  41. ^ "Welcome to the UFC: Markus Perez". MMA Today. 2017-11-03. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  42. ^ Sherdog.com. "Markus". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-09-23.
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