Zuffa Boxing
James Perella Is Always Ready To Answer The Call | Zuffa Boxing 06
Newly-Signed Zuffa Boxing Welterweight Plans On Making A Big Impression On His Promotional Debut.
James Perella has arrived in Zuffa Boxing, and the undefeated Massachusetts native is ready to embrace the big stage.
Perella joins the Zuffa Boxing welterweight division with a perfect 21-0 (15 KOs) record, and will make his promotional debut in Sunday night’s co-main event at Zuffa Boxing 06 in Las Vegas.
“The Slim Reaper” will take on Julian “Hammer Hands” Rodriguez in a mouth-watering matchup, with the 33-year-old facing the 25-1 Rodriguez in a battle of hot prospects within the 147-pound division. And the chance to mix it with fellow talents under the bright lights of the Zuffa Boxing ring was too good an opportunity to pass up.
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“Zuffa is going to be the face of boxing,” said Perella.
“I got the call, the opportunity to be part of it. I mean, that was a no-brainer, and I'm not a very smart dude!”
Perella’s matchup with Rodriguez offers a chance to make an instant impact against a fighter who already holds a Zuffa Boxing win on his record. Perella saw that fight, and was more than happy to accept the call when it came from Zuffa Boxing officials.
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“He fought a great fight. He obviously won, so that's always good,” he said.
“But yeah, they called, and I said, ‘Hell yeah!’ I mean, why wouldn't you want to fight, like, right now, at Zuffa? He’s at 147, so why would I not jump at that opportunity? That's a great challenge. It's cool as an individual to take up a challenge and see just where you are.”
James Perella Fight Week Interview | Zuffa Boxing 06
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James Perella Fight Week Interview | Zuffa Boxing 06
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Rodriguez has been here at Zuffa Boxing before, which may offer him some sort of experience advantage, but Perella arrives with significant height and reach advantages over his opposite number. In Perella’s mind, that gives him a real edge inside the ring.
“I mean, it should!” he laughed. “If all things go right. I'm gonna look really pretty after the fight, still, because I'm gonna keep him on the outside. I don't know if you consider me pretty, but I do. So, if the game plan works and we keep the distance, keep the height, he never hits me and this (*points to his face*) looks like this.”
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It’s fair to say Perella is something of a thrillseeker, and after trying his hand at a number of different pursuits, he’s found a day job where he gets his kicks – well, punches – from being in the boxing ring.
“I used to have a quote, I would say yes to the most interesting thing,” he said. “So I've surfed in the Philippines, rock climbing at Joshua Tree, jumped out of everything. You’ll find me just doing something that gets the adrenaline going. Being outside, that's me. I'm just an average dude trying to make his dreams come true.”
Another undefeated boxer will step into the ring this SUN 🥊
— Zuffa_Boxing (@Zuffa_Boxing) May 6, 2026
James Perella will put his 21-0 record on the line in the #ZuffaBoxing06 co-main event!
📺: @ParamountPlus | MAY 10 | 9pmET pic.twitter.com/ZyYgiSPbnM
That dream could result in the biggest payday of his career if he lands himself a post-fight performance bonus. It’s something he’s certainly aware of, but he said he can’t allow himself to be distracted by the lure of a bonus check.
“I mean, it motivates anyone,” he admitted. “I got to stick to the game plan. And if my game plan brings me to one of those, that's great. I'm excited. But first and foremost, you've got to get the W … If I do my job well, then 50G's baby! And maybe send us to the White House. I'm calling it now. Send me and my coach to the White House, please!”
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Perella won’t rest on his laurels after his Zuffa Boxing debut, either. “The Slim Reaper” is here for a good time, not a long time, and said he’ll be ready to answer the call for his next assignment, whenever it comes.
“As soon as they call, I'll be ready again, you know?” he said. “I don't know that's my outlook. I’m boxing. They call, I answer. I’m in the gym, I’m training, I’m ready. We’re fighters – the window for fighting is finite. There’s a whole lot of life out there, and there’s a whole lot of other things, but you call me, I’m ready to fight. So, I get my hand raised (on Sunday), I’ll be ready. I’ll be ready the next day.”