Kenda Perez
Kenda Rae Perez (Swanson) | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kenda Rae Perez May 18, 1983[1] |
| Occupation(s) | Model, Host (Best of PrideFC and Best of WEC, The Ultimate Show) |
| Spouse | Cub Swanson |
| Modeling information | |
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Hair color | Brown |
| Eye color | Hazel |
| Website | Official website |
Kenda Perez (born May 18, 1983) is an American model and television host for the UFC and FOX Sports. Host of the internationally broadcast Best of Pride Fighting Championships running four seasons and the Best Of WEC on Fox Sports 1 running two seasons. Kenda also hosts a weekly online MMA show “The Ultimate Show” on BleacherReport.com and a weekly SiriusXM radio show on Faction Radio. Formally represented by Famous Stars and Straps owned by Travis Barker. Kenda is the wife of top ranked professional mixed martial artist Cub Swanson, currently fighting in the UFC.
Career
Kenda was discovered after entering Maxim magazine's Hometown Hotties competition.[2] She was voted as a top four finalist[3] and appeared in the magazine and website.[4] Kenda has continued to work with Maxim Magazine on promotional events, including an appearance on the TV game show 1 vs. 100[5] and appearing in the magazine numerous times including the cover of the December 2012 issue.
UFC
In 2009, the UFC produced a new show called "The Best of Pride Fighting Championships." The program showcases some of the best fights, and fighters from Pride. Perez auditioned, and was hired as the host after impressing producers with her natural ability in front of the camera and behind the microphone. The first episode aired on January 15, 2010 on Spike TV.[6] Season two debuted January 3rd, 2012 on Fuel TV in the United States. The third season aired on Fox Sports 2. She now currently hosts "The Best Of WEC" in its second season on Fox Sports 1.
The Ultimate Show (Bleacher Report)
She hosted a weekly online MMA show for BleacherReport.com called “The Ultimate Show” for two years, which debuted on August 4, 2011.
In media
Magazine appearances
- Maxim Magazine - Dec 2007 // Oct 2012 // Dec 2012
- UFC Magazine - Aug/Sept 2010 // Oct 2011//Aug/Sept 2014 (Australia Edition)
- Muscle & Fitness - Jan 2011
- 944 magazine - June 2011 (O.C. Edition)
- Fight! Magazine - Aug 2011
- Maxim UK - Dec 2011 (Online Only)
- Fighters Only UK - Issue 84
- Inside Fitness - Aug/Sept 2012 (with Arianny Celeste and Brittney Palmer)
Features
- CNNSI's Hot Clicks "Lovely Lady of the Day" for August 4, 2010[7]
- Bleacher Report's "MMA Hottie of the Week" on February 22, 2011[8]
- CNNSI's Hot Clicks Photo Gallery of the Day for April 23, 2012[9]
- Appears in UFC Undisputed 3 as a PRIDE ring girl.
Personal
Kenda was born in Laguna Beach California and grew up in old-town Orange while attending Orangewood Adventist Academy. She currently resides in Newport Beach, California.[10] Her father, Ken Perez, holds a black belt in Shitō-ryū.[11] Kenda and Cub Swanson were married June 1, 2018 and have a daughter, Royal Rae Swanson born in August 21, 2017 and identical twins boys, Saint Cub Swanson and King Cub Swanson born September 2, 2018.[12][13]
References
- ^ "Kenda Perez / Biography". Official Website. Archived from the original on April 24, 2009. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
- ^ "2006 Maxim Hometown Hotties semi-finalists". MAXIM. Retrieved October 23, 2010. [permanent dead link]
- ^ "2007 Maxim Hometown Hotties finalists". MAXIM. Archived from the original on 2010-03-12. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
- ^ "Maxim Girls - Kenda Perez". MAXIM. Archived from the original on 2010-06-12. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
- ^ "1 vs 100 - Melanie". YouTube. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
- ^ Thomas Gerbasi (January 14, 2010). "Tonight on 'The Best of PRIDE Fighting Championships". UFC. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
- ^ "Kenda Perez - Lovely Lady Of the Day". Fighttime.net. August 4, 2010. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved January 23, 2011.
- ^ Drake Oz (February 22, 2011). "Kenda Perez: Bleacher Report's MMA Hottie of the Week". Bleacher Report. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
- ^ "Hot Clicks: Kenda Perez; Ron Artest elbows James Harden". Sports Illustrated. December 13, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
- ^ "O.C.'s Hometown Hottie is a hit in MMA". OCRegister. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
- ^ "Kenda Perez: Daddy's girl keeps the PRIDE going in MMA". MMAdiehards.com. Archived from the original on 2010-09-27. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
- ^ Andrew L. John (March 31, 2017). "Surprise sprung on Cub Swanson after winning Fight of the Year". Desert Sun. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
- ^ Mike Bohn (June 2, 2018). "Cub Swanson and Kenda Perez get married, Memorial Day". mmajunkie. Retrieved August 2, 2018.