Perez vs Sumudaerji ends in no-contest after groin kick forces lengthy stoppage at UFC Macau

Alex Perez and Sumudaerji’s flyweight contest at UFC Macau on Saturday ended in a no-contest after an accidental groin kick forced a lengthy stoppage at 1:45 of the second round. The ruling denied Sumudaerji what would have been a significant ranking win and added yet another strange chapter to Perez’s turbulent UFC career.

Sumudaerji landed a front kick below the belt that left Perez on his knees and hovering over a cageside bucket. Referee Mark Craig consulted with official Marc Goddard, who was brought into the octagon to assess the situation. Craig was heard telling Goddard, “It’s just saliva,” though it remained unclear whether Perez had actually vomited. After a lengthy break in the action, the bout was officially ruled a no-contest due to the accidental foul.

The outcome was a costly one for Sumudaerji, who had been the more effective fighter before the foul. He had Perez hurt badly with a punch early in the second round, only for Perez to recover during a grappling exchange on the ground. Moments after the fighters returned to their feet, Sumudaerji threw the kick that ended the contest.

For Perez, the result continues a difficult run that has included cancelled fights and weight misses in recent years. Sumudaerji, who entered the bout at 19-7, had been targeting a place in the flyweight top 15 by beating the ranked Perez. Both fighters now sit at one no-contest on their records and will need to seek a fresh opponent to resume their respective climbs up the division.