Fresno's AJ Perez set for Cruiserweight title fight in September at VFS 16

AJ Perez, VFS 15 - Cali Fights Magazine

The heavyweight division in MMA has been a fan favorite for a long time. Who doesn’t like to see the big guys mix it up in the cage, in bouts that usually end quick or in devastating fashion. Fresno’s AJ Perez is known for just that.

Born and raised in Fresno, AJ Perez is currently 3-0 in the heavyweight division. Following an amateur run that saw him win titles in three different promotions in the Central Valley. He finished his amateur career with a 5-1 record before making his pro debut at the Tachi Palace in 2023. While Perez may have a calm and cool demeanor outside the cage, inside he has racked up some wins versus some tough heavyweights in a violent way.  

AJ Perez, VFS 15 - Cali Fights Magazine

Perez made his pro debut versus another local heavyweight standout and former amateur champion at A1 Combat, where he finished his opponent by knockout in the first round. In his second pro fight Perez went the distance with another former amateur champion and heavyweight stand out. At the Table Mountain Casino, where he picked up the win. Perez was then scheduled to take on Fresno’s Larry Gonzales at Valley Fight Series 15, another talented heavyweight from the Central Valley. That was just coming off a fight of the night performance, that was getting a lot of attention in the MMA world. The local match up would be one of the better heavyweight fights made in the Central Valley, in a long time.

AJ Perez vs Larry Gonzales, VFS 15 - Cali Fights Magazine

Perez would pick up the win by tko and moved his record to 3-0, clearly proving himself as a top dog in the heavyweight division. I was able to connect with Perez to catch up and see what was next? I asked how he felt coming off the win in June. Perez replied,

“I feel pretty good about my last performance against a game opponent and tough guy in Larry Gonzales. I still have a lot to work on though, always trying to better my game and better myself as an athlete and competitor.”

AJ Perez, VFS 15 - Cali Fights Magazine

Perez trains with The Concrete Jungle in Fresno, a group that continues to grow. He also still makes the trip to Team KO in Farmersville to get work in when preparing for a fight. Following his last win, news of a possible matchup between current VFS Heavyweight Champion Brandon Cash and Perez began to circulate. Both fighters being from Fresno, Cash being a Valley veteran, and Perez the undefeated up and comer. It is a recipe for a huge heavyweight championship main event. Speaking with Perez he confirmed the bout was indeed targeted and offered but the current heavyweight champion wasn’t available for the date.

AJ Perez, VFS 15 - Cali Fights Magazine

“Yeah man that was going to be a huge fight, great freaking fight for the fans! But yeah, things happen, and it didn’t end up coming to be. I got told Joshua had already accepted a fight with me, basically like if I wanted to fight him, we could do that, and I said yeah. Let’s go let’s do it and yeah now we are here almost at fight night!” Said Perez.

As Perez mentioned he will now be taking on veteran Joshua Miranda for the VFS Cruiserweight Championship on Saturday September 7^th, 2024. At Valley Fight Series 16 from the Table Mountain Casino in Friant California. Although Perez has never fought at cruiserweight, he is familiar with even lower weight classes. Having fought anywhere from middleweight to heavyweight as an amateur. Speaking with Perez in the past, it has always been a plan to get back down to the light heavyweight division moving forward. Perez confirmed that still is the case saying,

AJ Perez, VFS 15 - Cali Fights Magazine

“I want to drop weight cause I’m tired of being fat lol but also would like to fight a few guys closer to my height. I do well with these big boys up here, but I believe I’ll do well wherever I go. If it’s cruiser, light heavy, maybe even middle weight eventually again. Right now, the plan is just to stay active and take it one fight at a time.”

Miranda has been in the game since 2009 and has experience with sixteen fights on his resume.

“I seen him fight the same night I last fought. He is a tough game fighter man. A seasoned vet for sure, much respect brother, I’ll see you soon.” Said Perez regarding his opponent.

I asked Perez what we can expect on September 7^th when he gets back into the cage, this time fighting for his first title as a professional. AJ finished with,

AJ Perez, VFS 15 - Cali Fights Magazine

“Fans can expect a badass fight! I always put on a show, come out and watch a sick ass fight! I’d like to thank my coaches and training partners, thank you for the work. My lovely wife for helping me get this all done. I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without her she keeps me going. Thank you to my friends, family, and fans!”

Fresno’s (3-0) AJ Perez takes on (8-8) Joshua Miranda in the main event at Valley Fight Series 16. Which goes down on Saturday September 7^th, 2024, from the Table Mountain Casino In Friant, Ca. Tickets available now at www.eventbrite.com/e/valley-fight-series-16-tickets-936964164037?aff=erelexpmlt

Valley Fight Series 16 Card

Pro MMA:

VFS Cruiserweight Championship (3-0) AJ Perez vs (8-8) Josh Miranda

(3-6) Albert Gonzales vs (4-3) Octavian Trumbo

(1-2) Aaron Klinghardt vs (1-1) Marques Blevins

(1-2) Jonathan Moskowitz vs (0-1) Denzel Rosaroso

(1-3) Esteban Gonzales vs (2-3) Diamond Templeton

(0-2) David Mariscal vs (0-0) Joey Hanford

(0-0) Cody Scharmer vs (1-0) Felix De La Pena

(0-6) Marcelino Silva vs Chino De La Pena

Pro Muay Thai:

Andrew Rivera vs Mike Shaw

Amateur MMA:

VFS Amateur Featherweight Championship (3-1) Isaiah Walls vs (4-1) Anthony Romero

VFS Amateur Flyweight Championship Javier Torres vs Ty Kashiwamura

VFS Amateur Lightweight Championship (2-0) Tyler Childers vs Anthony Shelton

VFS Amateur Middleweight Championship (2-2) Richard Sandoval vs (3-0) Juan Cadavid

(2-3) Emy Perez vs (0-1) Ashley Chavez

Simon Paez vs Jordan Irizarry

(1-1) Collin Stiner vs (1-0) Sajin Zacarias

(1-0) George Aldaco vs (0-0) Enrique Arroyo

(0-0) Cesar Perez vs (0-1) Gabriel Manriquez

(0-0) Ignacio Espinoza vs (1-0) Adam Penunuri

(1-0) Josue Villasenor vs (0-0) Jorge Avila Perez

Steven Leonard vs Michael Robles

Dylan Walsh vs tba

Neto Nuno vs tba 

Oliver Lara vs tba

Amateur Muay Thai

Mariano Hernandez vs Dominic Escamilla

Adrian Casillas vs Ernie Martinez II

(2-2) Emilio De Jesus vs (3-3) Jacob Alonso

(0-0) Josiah Manriquez vs (0-0) Evan Cruz

Charles Bush vs Corbin Deadwiley

Jonathan Pruett vs Jake Johnston

Youth Pankration:

VFS Bantamweight Youth Pankration Championship Isaiah Acosta vs Gian Kayo San Mateo

Justin Estrada vs Andy Valencia

Jonathan Del Angel vs Marcus Troxell

Taylor Becerra vs tba

Youth Muay Thai:

Andre Reed vs Adam Maldonado Jr,

Ivan Ramos vs Ivan Avila

Ryan Hernandez vs Donavin Yescas

Stacy Alcaraz vs Fernanda Hernandez

Grappling:

VFS Light Heavyweight BJJ Championship Paul Strambi vs Miguel Dizon

VFS Welterweight BJJ Championship Juan Pato Jimenez vs tba

Javier Garcia vs Brandon Young

Austin McDonald vs Isaiah Salazar

Madison Robinson vs Bri Rose

Chris Mandujano vs Aaron Cato II

Visit VFS online for more info at www.valleyfightseries.com

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By: Daniel "Trip" Quintana www.noweakshitever.com

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