Young matador Marco Pérez claimed a triumphant debut at La Malagueta bullring in Málaga on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, cutting two ears from his first bull to exit through the main gate.
Veteran bullfighter David Fandila, known as El Fandi, also earned two ears during his return to the venue after an eight-year absence, while Borja Jiménez left on foot after persistent trouble with the steel.
The corrida was the sixth bullfight of the subscription series for the 150th Anniversary Fair of Málaga. The event took place in front of a near-capacity crowd in the stands under muggy weather conditions in the southern Spanish city.
The bulls for the afternoon were provided by the El Parralejo ranch. The animals were described as having a fair presentation and being generally good, noble, and brave throughout the contest.
Two ears for Marco Pérez on debut
Pérez, wearing a white and gold suit, opened his appearance by receiving his first bull with a larga cambiada pass in the tercio before bringing the animal to the horse with chicuelinas al paso. After dedicating the bull to El Fandi, the young matador from Salamanca began his work in the center of the ring with several pass-backs before finishing low.
Although the performance went from more to less, Pérez maintained a firm stance on both sides. He drew closer as the bull slowed down, allowing the horns to brush near his suit. A single sword thrust brought enthusiastic applause from the crowd, leading the ring president to award him two ears.
His second animal, the sixth bull of the afternoon, presented a tougher challenge. The bull proved rough with the muleta, tossing its head at the end of passes and charging with its chest. Pérez worked with determination to master the bull, though a puncture followed by a sword thrust ended the performance in silence.
Return of El Fandi
El Fandi, dressed in purple and gold, made his intent clear from his opening larga cambiada. The matador displayed wide variety with the cape and produced a spectacular display with the banderillas, particularly on his second pair.
After dedicating the bull to the crowd, El Fandi dropped to his knees to begin his series on the right hand. Kneeling turns warmed up the spectators, and despite a puncture before his sword thrust, he was awarded one ear.
For his second bull, the fourth of the afternoon, El Fandi went to the gate to receive the animal with a portagayola. He followed with cape variations including chicuelinas, lopecinas, and a revolera before exciting the stands with a two-in-one pair of banderillas.
He cited the El Parralejo bull from distance while on his knees, delivering his finest passes with the left hand and closing with a right-handed series. An almost full, slightly fallen sword thrust secured his second ear of the afternoon.
Steel difficulties for Borja Jiménez
Borja Jiménez, the Sevillian matador performing in crimson and gold, saw a strong opening performance unravel at the moment of the kill. Facing his first bull, the second of the afternoon, Jiménez lowered his hand to drag the muleta behind his hip during an exceptional left-handed display.
However, his work with the steel faltered. A puncture was followed by a sword thrust that emerged through the bull's side, requiring ten attempts with the descabello dagger before the bull fell, resulting in applause after a warning.
His performance with the fifth bull followed a similar pattern. Opening with pass-backs in the center of the ring as the passacaglia Suspiros de España played, Jiménez drew deep left-handed passes and a solid right-handed series, but a deep puncture and a descabello restricted his reward to a lap of honor.
