Prior to his professional MMA career, Asael Adjoudj was highly successful in various martial arts disciplines. He is a second-degree black belt in Shotokan karate, a three-time kickboxing world champion, and he holds a combined 28-3 record within kickboxing and Muay Thai. Adjoudj’s pro MMA debut came in 2020, and he’s won eight fights since dropping his pro debut, including four wins via stoppage. Adjoudj, who holds a 6-1 record in Bellator, finished Bruno Fontes in May.

 

Jose Perez also turned pro in 2020 and won four fights in a row before the lone defeat of his career thus far. Perez has since won five straight, capturing regional featherweight gold in the process. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist from Illinois fought in a Showcase bout a few months ago during the PFL Playoffs, scoring a decision over Jesse Stirn.

 

Who will come out on top in this featherweight global showcase?

 

 

Round 1

 

Adjoudj comes out aggressive, flashing the jab. Adjoudj lands a left hand. Adjoudj with a jab to the body and a quick kick, followed by another jab. Adjoudj takes the center and looks to press Perez back. Perez with a side kick to the solar plexus. Perez trying to take control, but Adjoudj with a shot to the body, followed by a couple of quick, hard kicks. Perez looks to press the action now, but Adjoudj reverses and presses Perez into the fence. Adjoudj gets this fight to the ground. Perez tries to climb the guard and set up a triangle. Adjoudj tries to back out and is able to escape the guard.

 

Adjoudj with another strong kick to the stomach. Perez presses him into the fence. Perez gets the takedown on the second attempt and looks to scramble for Adjoudj’s neck. Perez gets a body triangle in. Adjoudj trying to escape but struggles. Perez looking potentially for an attack on Adjoudj’s arm. Perez potentially looking for a twister? Adjoudj nearly escaped, but Perez looking for the twister again. Adjoudj landing elbows as Perez looks to establish top position. Adjoudj uses the fence and gets back to his feet. Adjoudj with a couple of knees to the midsection, followed by strong elbows. Perez with a couple of knees to the body in the clinch.

 

 

Round 2

 

Adjoudj with a spinning kick and a nasty head kick. Perez with a couple of strong punches before a battle for clinch control again. Adjoudj presses Perez into the fence. Perez looking for an Ezekiel choke in the standing guard position? He’s got the body triangle on Adjoudj. Now Perez appears to be looking for a guillotine in that position, A couple of strong inside elbows from Perez. Adjoudj with a left hand, and the action goes to the ground. Adjoudj with some heel strikes to the body of Perez. Perez trying to sweep and lock up one of Adjoudj’s legs. Adjoudj swings and misses on the uppercut. Adjoudj throwing more kicks. Perez presses Adjoudj into the fence.

 

On the break, Perez argues something with the referee, and Adjoudj makes him eat a right hand. Perez gets the action back to the ground, getting to the back of Adjoudj. Perez looking to get hooks in, and now Adjoudj is arguing with the referee. Perez looks to get a choke locked up but lets it go. Some ground-and-pound from Perez, as his corner calls for elbows. Perez with the high mount, landing left and right hands at will. Perez pursues the finish, pouring down the punishment, but Adjoudj is not going away easily. Adjoudj survives the round but appears to have been cut around one of his eyebrows. One of Perez’s cornermen is very vocal, apparently trying to play mind games with Adjoudj.

 

 

Round 3

 

The two trade to kick off the round. Perez with a body kick. Perez with a right hand. Perez looking for a double-leg takedown before transitioning to a high-single. Adjoudj with an arm around Perez’s neck, and Adjoudj appears to be looking for a guillotine. Perez slams Adjoudj – but that only tightens the hold! Perez taps out!

 

 

Submission victory in the third round for Asael Adjoudj!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

Asael Adjoudj defeats Jose Perez by 3rd round submission (guillotine choke, 1:10) in a PFL FW Showcase Bout

Adjoudj moves his career record to 9-1. It’s his 9th straight win since losing his pro debut.

Adjoudj trains at SBG Ireland