Kenda Perez (born May 18, 1983) is an American
model
A model is an informative representation of an object, person or system. The term originally denoted the plans of a building in late 16th-century English, and derived via French and Italian ultimately from Latin ''modulus'', a measure.
Models c ...
and
television host
A television presenter (or television host, some become a "television personality") is a person who introduces, hosts television programs, often serving as a mediator for the program and the audience. Nowadays, it is common for people who garne ...
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
Fox Sports 1 (FS1) is an American pay television channel owned by the Fox Sports Media Group, a unit of Fox Corporation. FS1 replaced the motorsports network Speed on August 17, 2013, at the same time that its companion channel Fox Sports ...
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
Kevin Luke "Cub" Swanson (born November 2, 1983) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2004, Swanson holds the most ...
, currently fighting in the UFC.
Career
Kenda was discovered after entering
Maxim magazine's Hometown Hotties competition. She was voted as a top four finalist and appeared in the magazine and website. Kenda has continued to work with Maxim Magazine on promotional events, including an appearance on the TV game show
1 vs. 100 and appearing in the magazine numerous times including the cover of the December 2012 issue.
UFC
In 2009, the
UFC
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by Zuffa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. It is the largest MMA ...
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. Season two debuted January 3, 2012 on
Fuel TV
Fox Sports 2 (FS2) is an American sports-oriented pay television channel owned by the Fox Sports Media Group, a unit of Fox Corporation. The channel is based at the Fox Sports division's headquarters on the Fox Studio Lot in the Century C ...
in the United States. The third season aired on
Fox Sports 2
Fox Sports 2 (FS2) is an American sports-oriented pay television channel owned by the Fox Sports Media Group, a unit of Fox Corporation. The channel is based at the Fox Sports division's headquarters on the Fox Studio Lot in the Century Cit ...
. She now currently hosts "The Best Of WEC" in its second season on
Fox Sports 1
Fox Sports 1 (FS1) is an American pay television channel owned by the Fox Sports Media Group, a unit of Fox Corporation. FS1 replaced the motorsports network Speed on August 17, 2013, at the same time that its companion channel Fox Sports ...
.
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
''Muscle & Fitness'' is an American fitness and bodybuilding magazine founded in 1935 by Canadian entrepreneur Joe Weider. It was originally published under the title ''Your Physique'', before being renamed to ''Muscle Builder'' in 1954, and acq ...
- 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
Arianny Celeste (born Penelope López Márquez on November 12, 1985) () is an American ring girl and model. She is a co-host on TV show '' Overhaulin and has been in ''Playboy'' magazine.
Early life
Celeste was born on November 12, 1985, ...
and
Brittney Palmer
Brittney Palmer (born June 24, 1987) is an American ring girl, model and artist. She is best known for her work as an octagon girl for the UFC, being awarded Ringcard Girl of the Year at the World MMA Awards in 2012, 2013, 2019, and 2022.
E ...
)
Features
*CNNSI's Hot Clicks "Lovely Lady of the Day" for August 4, 2010
*Bleacher Report's "MMA Hottie of the Week" on February 22, 2011
*CNNSI's Hot Clicks Photo Gallery of the Day for April 23, 2012
*Appears in
UFC Undisputed 3
''UFC Undisputed 3'' is a mixed martial arts video game featuring Ultimate Fighting Championship properties and fighters developed by Yuke's and published by THQ. It was released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It is a sequel to '' UFC Undisputed ...
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. Her father, Ken Perez, holds a black belt in
Shitō-ryū
is a form of karate that was founded in 1934 by . Shitō-ryū is synthesis of the Okinawan Shuri-te and Naha-te schools of karate and today is considered one of the four main styles of the art.
History
Kenwa Mabuni (Mabuni Kenwa 摩文 ...
. Kenda and
Cub Swanson
Kevin Luke "Cub" Swanson (born November 2, 1983) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2004, Swanson holds the most ...
were married June 1, 2018 and have a daughter, Royal Rae Swanson born on August 21, 2017 and identical twin boys, Saint Cub Swanson and King Cub Swanson born September 2, 2018.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Perez, Kenda
Living people
American female models
American people of Mexican descent
Mixed martial arts broadcasters
1985 births
People from Laguna Beach, California
21st-century American women