Katie Perez is set to make her Rizin FF debut against Kate Lotus on May 10th. Ahead of this significant opportunity against a rising contender, Perez shared her thoughts on the upcoming fight and her career journey. She views this debut as a natural progression after consistent hard work and dedication, acknowledging past struggles with her mental game.
Perez revealed that she hasn’t worked with a sports psychologist but has focused on overcoming mental hurdles through intensive self-reflection, journaling, and dedicated one-on-one sessions with her coach. She emphasizes the importance of cultivating a strong mindset alongside physical training, noting that she has battled imposter syndrome and struggled to fully embrace her identity as a professional athlete.
Her approach to fighting involves a conscious effort to overcome the fear of making mistakes or underperforming, which she believes has hindered her in past performances. Perez now aims to embrace discomfort and struggle as a familiar state, allowing her to perform at her best when the stakes are highest. She contrasts this with her artistic endeavors, like painting, where she has more control and can avoid public scrutiny of unfinished or flawed work.
Discussing her transition to Rizin FF, Perez highlighted that while she has had opportunities with promotions like Combate, Invicta, and CFFC, Rizin was a long-held aspiration that she initially felt was out of reach due to the perceived need for strong connections. However, her coach, who also acts as her manager, facilitated the opportunity through consistent performance and building relationships within the fight community. She described the fight offer from Rizin as a surprise that came during a training session.
Perez also shared her experiences with training seminars led by MMA legend Mario Sperry, whose Pride FC background is relevant to Rizin’s rule set, which includes soccer kicks and face stomps. She emphasized the value of personal connections with respected figures in the sport and her deep appreciation for her coach and his mentorship, viewing him as an equal to the legends she has met.
Looking ahead to her fight with Kate Lotus, which is a catchweight bout with potential implications for the super atomweight division, Perez stated her ideal scenario is to deliver “beautiful violence.” She is determined to secure a finish, rather than a decision, and aims to be dominant and forward-moving in her fighting style. While acknowledging Lotus’s striking prowess, Perez is confident in her own ability to finish fights, whether by submission or strikes, and sees herself as an MMA fighter with a blend of striking and grappling skills.
Perez expressed her excitement to fight in Japan and anticipates a strong showing for the appreciative Japanese fanbase. Her ultimate goal is to make herself proud, leave everything she has in the cage, and embody the concept of “beautiful violence.”
