LAS VEGAS – By definition, a luchador is Spanish for a masked professional wrestler. But to Erik Perez, the first 100 percent Mexican fighter in the UFC, it is so much more.

It's why he was crushed when he not allowed to wear a mask to the weigh-in or for the walk to the cage for his first UFC fight, on June 1 in Las Vegas at 'The Ultimate Fighter: Live Finale'.

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For years, UFC president Dana White and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta have sought to create a distance between their company and professional wrestling, so they Perez's request to wear a traditional Mexican luchador mask.

The masks are a large part of Mexican culture, though, and represent far more than just a professional wrestler's desire for anonymity, Perez said. The use of the masks among Mexican warriors dates back more than 800 years, he said. They've been worn by all sorts of Mexican stars, including El Santo, a wrestler and actor who was considered the John Wayne of Mexico.

"When I was a child, the masked warriors were people who never gave up, never stopped fighting no matter the odds, and fought with pride and warrior spirit," Perez said. "I think all Latinos are luchadors, maybe not in the Octagon, but in life, and by putting on the mask, I become each and every one of them and they become me."

After pleading his case with White, Perez finally got permission to wear a mask before his three-round bantamweight fight Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden against Byron Bloodworth. Members of the UFC marketing team came up with a rough outline, but it was finalized by Victor Martinez.

Martinez is arguably the most notable luchador mask maker in the world. His father, Don Antonio Martinez, made masks for numerous legendary Mexican figures.

"Maybe this will have some magic," Perez said, laughing. "The guy who made this mask is super famous. His father did the masks for El Santo and Blue Demon and I think that will make some magic it in for me."

The move to allow Perez to wear the luchador mask is a wise one by UFC management, because it is another step toward reaching the fight-crazed Mexican fan base.





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Boxing is arguably the top sport in Mexico, and at worst, it is on the same level as baseball and soccer. It gets massive television ratings in Mexico – the highest-rated show in Mexico in 2011 was Juan Manuel Marquez-Manny Pacquiao III, and the 2012 Canelo Alvarez-Shane Mosley fight outdrew the Olympic soccer finale (which Mexico played in) on Televisa, Mexico's largest network – and the UFC is hoping to cash in on fighting's popularity.

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