Katie Perez is set to make her Rizin FF debut against Kate Lotus on May 10th. Facing a rising contender in Lotus, Perez expressed her excitement for this significant opportunity. “It feels like a natural culmination of a lot of effort, time that’s been put in consistently,” she stated. Despite a mixed professional record, Perez believes her current skill level and training are precisely where they need to be for this next chapter in her career.
Perez detailed her approach to overcoming mental hurdles in fighting, emphasizing that while physical training is crucial, mental fortitude is paramount. She acknowledged past struggles with imposter syndrome and self-doubt, which she has actively worked to address through self-reflection, journaling, and dedicated one-on-one sessions with her coach. “Self-discipline as a form of self-love,” she explained, has been key to her development. This refined mindset allows her to embrace discomfort and pressure, viewing the cage as her “home.”
Comparing her mindset in MMA to her artistic endeavors like music and painting, Perez noted that live performance art shares the pressure of not letting others down. However, her painting allows for more control, where she can discard unsatisfactory work. In contrast, fighting demands a different level of commitment and execution.
Reflecting on past promotions like Combate, Invicta, and CFFC, Perez shared how she previously felt pressured by the perceived magnitude of opportunities, leading to performance anxiety. She learned to mentally “shrink” the stakes to manage her headspace. Her journey to Rizin was facilitated by her coach, who serves as her manager and has built crucial connections within the industry. The offer for the Rizin fight arrived unexpectedly during training, a testament to the team’s consistent performance and dedication.
Perez also spoke about the influence of MMA legend Mario Sperry. She participated in a seminar where she had the chance to learn from Sperry and her own coach, Professor Dave, gaining valuable insights into fighting under a rule set that allows for soccer kicks and face stomps, similar to Pride FC’s legacy. She emphasized the importance of strong relationships within the martial arts community and learning from those who have paved the way.
For her Rizin 53 bout, Perez is aiming for a decisive finish, stating, “my ideal scenario is some beautiful violence.” While the fight is a catchweight, she sees a potential future in the super atomweight division. Describing her fighting style, Perez identifies as a forward-moving, aggressive fighter rather than a counter-striker. She is comfortable with both striking and submission finishes, focusing on dominance and leaving everything in the cage. She aims to embody “beautiful violence,” a concept she believes Japanese fans appreciate for its artistic and skillful execution.
