https://arab.news/zb7nv
- The Brazilian is scheduled to face South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis on Sunday
- Setting aside the dark humor of a sinister smile painted on his face, Perez said his act was not about trying to intimidate his opponents
DUBAI: UFC fighter Markus Perez appeared during this weekend’s pre-fight weigh-ins with his face painted as the Batman villain “The Joker” and ahead of UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs Sandhagen mixed-martial arts event Sunday evening.
The Brazilian is scheduled to face South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis on Sunday at Abu Dhabi’s indoor live entertainment venue Flash Forum, state news agency WAM reported.
Setting aside the dark humor of a sinister smile painted on his face, Perez said his act was not about trying to intimidate his opponents, but was just a way for him to focus on his own game plan.
“I don’t put all this effort in and put on the face paint to intimidate my opponents. I do it because I identify with The Joker. The Joker is not about intimidation. If you read the DC Comics, he doesn’t stand out because of money or any superpowers, he stands out because of his intelligence,” Perez said.
“And I can relate to that. I like to use my intelligence, before and during a fight. You will see that from me in Octagon. I don’t have superpowers, but I fight intelligently, and it feels good,” he added.