Ailin Perez

Background Pérez started in martial arts at the age of 11 in Zárate, with kung fu and sanda, and at the age of 20 she decided to move to Buenos Aires and do some Brazilian jiu jitsu (BJJ), to get more into MMA. Finally, she turned professional in 2018.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Pérez won the women's bantamweight title of the Brazilian company Samurai Fight House in August 2021 by defeating Alessandra Tainara with a head kick. But she lost it in November 2021 against Tamires Vidal, to whom she applied an illegal knee. It was scheduled for her to face Zarah Fairn Dos Santos at UFC Fight Night 209. However, Fairn was withdrawn from the event for unknown reasons and replaced by Stephanie Egger. Pérez lost the fight by rear-naked choke submission in the second round.

Pérez faced Ashlee Evans-Smith on July 15, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 224. She won the fight by unanimous decision.

Pérez faced Lucie Pudilová on November 18, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 232. She won the fight by unanimous decision.

Despite a prior altercation, Pérez ended up facing Joselyne Edwards on June 1, 2024, at UFC 302. She won the fight once again by unanimous decision.

Pérez faced Darya Zheleznyakova on September 28, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 243. At the weigh-ins, Pérez weighed in at 136.5 pounds, half a pound over the bantamweight non-title fight limit. She appeared weak and trembling due to the effects of weight-cutting, despite still missing her target weight. Her appearance made headlines and added concern about the UFC's weight-cutting process. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Perez was fined 20 percent of her purse, which went to her opponent Zheleznyakova. Pérez won the fight via an arm-triangle choke submission in the first round.

Pérez faced Karol Rosa on January 18, 2025, at UFC 311. She won the fight by unanimous decision.

Pérez faced Macy Chiasson on February 28, 2026, at UFC Fight Night 268. She won the fight by unanimous decision.

Pérez is scheduled to face Norma Dumont on September 26, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 289.

Controversies Altercation with Joselyne Edwards Before UFC Fight Night 232, Pérez and Joselyne Edwards had an altercation at a training session.

Twerking celebration

On September 28, 2024, during the UFC Fight Night 243 event in Paris, Pérez was criticized for celebrating her victory against Darya Zheleznyakova by twerking in her opponent's face after submitting her in the first round. The action was deemed disrespectful by figures such as Ariel Helwani. Pérez, unapologetically, justified her behavior by claiming that Zhelezniakova had made offensive comments before the fight. The incident also had repercussions in France, where she was reportedly suspended for her actions, something the fighter mentioned on her social media by sharing a screenshot of an article confirming the sanction.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Tied (Jéssica Andrade) for most takedowns landed in a UFC Women's bout (10) (vs. Ashlee Evans-Smith) Most takedowns landed in a UFC Women's Bantamweight bout (10) (vs. Ashlee Evans-Smith) Tied (Ronda Rousey) for the second longest win streak in UFC Women's Bantamweight division history (6) Second most takedowns landed in UFC Women's Bantamweight division history (27) Fewest strikes absorbed-per-minute in UFC Women's Bantamweight division history (1.58) Third highest top-position percentage in UFC Women's Bantamweight division history (40.5%) Third highest control time percentage in UFC Women's Bantamweight division history (48.2%) Fifth highest significant strike accuracy in UFC Women's Bantamweight division history (57.0%) Samurai Fight House Samurai Fight House Bantamweight Champion (Two time)

Mixed martial arts record Win

Macy Chiasson Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Kavanagh

Mexico City, Mexico Win

Karol Rosa Decision (unanimous) UFC 311

Inglewood, California, United States Win

Darya Zheleznyakova Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Saint Denis

Paris, France Win

Joselyne Edwards Decision (unanimous) UFC 302

Newark, New Jersey, United States Win

Lucie Pudilová Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Craig

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Ashlee Evans-Smith Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Bueno Silva

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Loss

Stephanie Egger Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa

Paris, France Win

Stephanie Bragayrac TKO (corner stoppage) Samurai Fight House 4

Buenos Aires, Argentina Win

Romina Aguirre TKO (punches) Samurai Fight House 3

Buenos Aires, Argentina Loss

Tamires Vidal DQ (illegal knees) Samurai Fight House 2

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Alessandra Tainara KO (head kick) Samurai Fight House 1

Feira de Santana, Brazil Win

Geyse Yasmin Decision (unanimous) Natal FC 19

Natal, Brazil Win

Fiorella Cardozo TKO (retirement) Collision Fight Ultimate 12

Montevideo, Uruguay Win

Laura Ribeiro Submission (rear-naked choke) Collision Fight Ultimate 10

Montevideo, Uruguay Win

Noemi Galarza Decision (unanimous) ULLAMP: Liga Sudamericana 2

Buenos Aires, Argentina