UFC 180 results: Alejandro Perez tops Jose Quinonez, wins 'TUF: Latin America' 135 crown

MEXICO CITY – Alejandro Perez‘s sharp striking earned him the distinction as the first winner of “The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America.”

Co-finalist Jose Quinonez (3-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC), proved a tough challenge for Perez (15-5 MMA, 1-0 UFC), but his efforts were undermined by a two-point deduction for a blatant headbutt in the fight’s final frame.

The bout was the bantamweight final of “TUF: Latin America” and part of the preliminary card of today’s UFC 180 event at Mexico City Arena. It aired on FOX Sports 1 following additional prelims on UFC Fight Pass and ahead of the main card on pay-per-view.

Referee John McCarthy took away two points from Quinonez midway through the final frame as he worked ground and pound on Perez and slipped in the illegal strike. The deduction meant Quinonez was all but defeated unless he could finish the fight.

A guillotine choke in the waning seconds of round three was his last hope, and Perez survived. Not only did Perez win the reality show, but he also avenged a loss this past year to Quinonez, who served with him on coach Cain Velasquez’s team.

A bouncy Quinonez kept a busy pace throughout the fight, but it was Perez’s sharp counterpunching that was more effective. A stiff shot wobbled Quinonez in the first, but he put Perez in trouble in the second after literally running down a chance to land a punch. Perez briefly touched the mat, but recovered.

The two frequently went toe-to-toe, but Quinonez proved to be the superior grappler as he threatened with arm-triangle chokes before making the mistake of using his head as a weapon.

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(MMAjunkie’s John Morgan contributed to this report on site in Mexico City.)