Markus Perez

Markus Perez Echeimberg(born June 22, 1990) is a Brazilianmixed martial artistcurrently competing in theMiddleweightdivision. A professional since 2013, he has also fought forUltimate Fighting Championship(UFC),Jungle Fightand theLegacy Fighting Alliance, where he is the former Middleweight Champion.
Echeimberg started trainingKung-FustyleEagle Clawin 2008 to impersonateBruce Leeand later transitioned tomixed martial arts(MMA) after his brother took him to a jiu-jitsu class.Prior competing full-time in MMA, Markus worked as aninformation technologyengineer at technology school and he was also a freelancedsoftware developer, and he quit his job and college to teachMuay Thaiand competed inBrazilian jiu-jitsuto make a living so he could pursue MMA full-time. After made it to the preliminary round ofThe Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3, he gained his parents support as they realized his seriousness of his MMA career choice.
Echeimberg fought in the Brazilian-based promotions and amassed of a record of 9–0 prior joining UFC after winning theLegacy Fighting Alliance(LFA) middleweight championship.
Echeimberg was chosen to be a fighter onThe Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3.  In the opening elimination round, he lost to Guilherme Vasconcelos via submission (rear-naked choke) in the first round.
Less than two months after winning the vacantLegacy Fighting Alliance(LFA), Echeimberg was signed by UFC. Perez made his UFC debut on December 9, 2017, againstEryk Anders, replacing John Phillips, atUFC Fight Night 123.He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
His next fight came on May 12, 2018, against James Bochnovic atUFC 224.He won the fight via a submission.
On August 25, 2018, Perez facedAndrew Sanchez, replacingAntonio Braga Neto, atUFC Fight Night 135.He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Perez faced promotional newcomerAnthony Hernandezon February 2, 2019, atUFC on ESPN+ 2.He won the fight via technical submission in the second round.
Perez was scheduled to face promotional newcomer Deron Winn  on June 22, 2019, atUFC on ESPN+ 11However, it was reported on May 9, 2019, that Perez pulled out of the fight due to injury.
Perez was scheduled to faceJack Marshmanon November 16, 2019, atUFC on ESPN+ 22.However, Marshman was pulled from the event for undisclosed reason and he was replaced by Wellington Turman.
Perez facedWellington Turmanon November 16, 2019, atUFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Jacaré.He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Perez was scheduled to faceAlessio Di Chirico, replacing Abu Azaitar, on April 11, 2020, atUFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Harris.Due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the event was eventually cancelled.
Perez was scheduled  to faceEric Spicelyon August 1, 2020, atUFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan.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
Perez was scheduled to faceRodolfo Vieiraon  October 11, 2020 atUFC Fight Night 179,However, on September 21, Vieira pulled out due to undisclosed reasons,and he was replaced by promotional newcomerDricus du Plessis.Perez lost  the fight via knockout in round one.
Perez facedDalcha Lungiambula, replacing Isi Fitikefu, on January 20, 2021, atUFC on ESPN 20.He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
On February 4, 2021, it was announced that Perez was released from his UFC contract.
Perez was scheduled to face Shane O'Shea at Titan FC 68 on March 26, 2021.However, the bout was cancelled due to an unknown reason.
Perez was scheduled to face Christiano Frohlich on July 2, 2021, atLFA 110.The bout was scratched days before the event for unknown reasons.
Perez faced Zac Pauga on October 17, 2021, at Cage Warriors 130. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.
Perez faced Filipe Moitinho on December 19, 2021, at Thunder Fight 33. He won the bout via guillotine submission 33 seconds into the bout.
Perez faced Emiliano Sordo at Gamebred FC 4 in a bare-knuckle MMA bout on May 5, 2023,losing the bout via unanimous decision.
On December 11, 2024, it was announced that Perez was signed byGlobal Fight League.
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 wearKung Fupants and shoes while he was boxing training to impersonateBruce Lee.