Katie Perez is set to make her highly anticipated debut in Rizin FF on May 10th, facing the formidable Kate Lotus. Reflecting on this significant opportunity, Perez expressed her excitement and the sense of accomplishment that comes with competing in one of the world’s premier combat sports promotions.
“This is a big deal for me; it’s incredibly exciting,” Perez stated. “It feels like a natural culmination of a lot of consistent effort and time invested. It’s the reward for relentless grinding and keeping your head down. While my overall record has been inconsistent, much of that stems from my past mental state and how I applied myself in fights.”
Perez believes her current training quality and skill level are precisely where they should be, viewing this debut not as an endpoint but as the next crucial step in her journey. She emphasized that her progress is an ongoing process, with this fight marking the beginning of a new chapter.
Addressing the mental aspect of her career, Perez acknowledged the common sentiment that fighting is predominantly mental. While acknowledging the physical demands, she pointed out that the focus often remains on physical training, sometimes neglecting the cultivation of a strong mindset.
“I’ve struggled with imposter syndrome and self-doubt throughout my career,” she admitted. “Even after six years as a professional athlete, it’s hard to fully embrace the identity of an MMA fighter. This stems from self-worth issues and my early experiences in fighting, where training was a way to rediscover myself and reclaim my sense of self. It’s been a journey of learning to invest in and care for myself, with self-discipline as a form of self-love.”
In past fights, Perez admits to experiencing hesitation and fear of making mistakes, not necessarily of physical harm. She attributes some past subpar performances to this fear, which she has been intensely working to overcome through consistent dialogue with her coach, reading, journaling, and active self-reflection. She now aims to strategically utilize different aspects of her personality, embracing an ego-driven mindset in the cage while maintaining an ego-less approach during training and learning.
Perez differentiates this mental approach from her artistic pursuits, like music, writing, and painting. While live performances in music or theater carry a similar pressure of not wanting to let others down, her visual arts are a more controlled environment where she can simply discard or rework pieces. This control alleviates the same performance anxiety she experiences in combat sports.
Looking back at her previous appearances in promotions like Combate, Invicta, and CFFC, Perez noted a pattern of building pressure on herself, which often led to apprehension. She has since learned to manage her perspective, viewing each fight as an opportunity to grow and develop, regardless of the promotion’s size.
“Rizin was always a dream, but I never thought it would materialize due to the connections required,” Perez explained. “Fortunately, my coach, who also serves as my manager, has built those crucial relationships. Team Phoenix, my small team from Greensboro, North Carolina, is known for consistently making weight, showing up, and delivering exciting fights, earning respect from promoters.”
The Rizin offer came as a surprise during a training session, a testament to her team’s consistent performance and her coach’s networking efforts. Perez is eager to represent her team and herself on this international stage.
Perez has also benefited from the wisdom of MMA legend Mario Sperry, who has experience in organizations like Pride that utilized a similar ruleset to Rizin, including soccer kicks and face stomps. While she hasn’t had specific fight camp preparation with Sperry, she has attended his seminars and shared invaluable time with him and other martial arts luminaries. These experiences have reinforced her understanding of the sport’s rich history and her place within it, helping to combat lingering imposter syndrome.
Regarding her upcoming catchweight bout against Kate Lotus, who is considered a top contender in the super atomweight division, Perez sees potential opportunities in lower weight classes with a win. She is a natural atomweight and would be delighted to compete in Rizin’s super atomweight division.
While Lotus is known for her striking and ability to keep fights standing, Perez’s record boasts multiple submission victories. However, she is not fixated on a specific method of victory.
“I’m looking for a finish,” Perez declared. “I’ve never been one to win by decision. Whether it’s a strike or a submission, I’m not picky. My goal is to be dominant, move forward, and embrace who I am as an aggressive fighter. While I’m very comfortable and successful on the ground, I’ve also been developing my striking. The key has been overcoming that mental hesitation on the feet.”
Perez identifies herself as an MMA fighter, blending striking and grappling seamlessly. Her fighting style is characterized by constant forward pressure and an aggressive approach, which she believes fans generally appreciate. She hopes to embody “beautiful violence” in her Rizin debut, a concept that resonates deeply with her fighting philosophy. Her ultimate goal is to make herself proud, leave everything in the cage, and bring her best self to the fight, regardless of the outcome.