Former UFC middleweight Markus Perez held in ICE custody for over a month as immigration case drags on

Former UFC middleweight Markus “Maluko” Perez has been held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody for more than a month, according to Brazilian outlet Recorte da Luta. The 36-year-old was detained on July 15 while visiting relatives in Salt Lake City and has since been transferred between facilities, with his current location reported as California. No timetable has been given for his release or the resolution of his case.

A fundraiser shared through Perez’s official Instagram account is seeking $25,000 to cover legal fees and other expenses tied to the proceedings. According to the fundraiser, Perez had been in the process of pursuing an EB-1 visa — a category reserved for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement — when he was detained. His request for bond was subsequently denied.

Perez competed in the UFC seven times between 2017 and 2021, posting a 2-5 record at middleweight. After his departure from the promotion, he continued competing across several combat sports disciplines, including Karate Combat.

His most recent MMA outing came at Peak Fighting 51 in March, where he submitted Lajuan Davis with a rear-naked choke in the first round. There is currently no indication of when his immigration proceedings might conclude.