Mixed martial arts (MMA) is renowned for its intense rivalries and intense drama within the cage. UFC Paris reached new heights as Ailín Pérez’s post-fight celebration captured everyone’s attention.
On September 2, at the Accor Arena in Paris, Pérez squared off against Russia’s Darya Zheleznyakova in a bantamweight contest.
This clash generated a whirlwind of excitement among both spectators and participants, with consequences that extended well beyond the mere contest itself.
The excitement started to build long before the two competitors entered the arena. Pérez, an emerging talent from Argentina, came close to having her match disrupted due to a weigh-in incident.
This incident sparked widespread worry among fans and participants in the UFC arena. Pérez stood on the scales, visibly trembling, her expression marked by unease. She weighed in at ”136.5 pounds”, just slightly above the 136-pound bantamweight limit.
Pérez’s heartfelt reaction crying and shaking has left fans concerned about her well-being. Her team quickly decided against pushing for additional weight cutting. They chose to accept the financial penalty associated with not making weight.
Pérez forfeited ”20 percent of her fight purse” and was not eligible to receive performance bonuses. In a surprising turn of events, the highly anticipated fight proceeded as scheduled, though with a new classification as a catchweight bout following a tense weigh-in.
There was considerable speculation about whether the emotional and physical strain of the weight cut would affect Pérez’s performance.
However, the cage doors swiftly dispelled any uncertainties. Pérez showcased her skills and took control against her opponent in the opening round.
In a stunning display of skill, she secured Zheleznyakova in a tight arm-triangle choke, compelling the Russian fighter to submit.
The submission occurred at the ”3:52 mark”, marking a significant win for Pérez. The victory marked her fourth consecutive win and enhanced her UFC record to ”4-1”.
However, it was not the win-by-submission that sparked the conversation. With Zheleznyakova down on the mat, Pérez took the opportunity to celebrate in an unexpected manner. She stood up, faced away from her opponent, and started to twerk.
Pérez showcased her moves, leaving the audience in disbelief. Pérez, eager to make an impression, adjusted her position so that Zheleznyakova, who was now rising, could fully experience the performance. The crowd responded with cheers, gasps, and amazement.
Pérez’s post-fight twerk, though somewhat expected, was undeniably a daring move considering the prominent setting of UFC Paris.
She has a reputation for marking her achievements with a dance, and this certainly isn’t the first occasion she has done so.
Someone quickly recorded her antics and shared them across various social platforms. Responses came quickly and were sharply divided.
One fan tweeted, “Ailín Pérez with the submission AND the celebration! Tapping out and turning up—that’s how you make a statement!”
Some individuals, on the other hand, found it less entertaining. “This is sooo disrespectful,” one person wrote.
“Having someone twerk in your face after they’ve finished is the ultimate disrespect, wow!” exclaimed another. One individual referred to the act as “low class.”
Following the match, Pérez shared on social media, stating: “I Khabib’d the Russian and then twerked on her.” The lighthearted remark alluded to her commanding presence in the situation.
Supporters compared her fashion sense to that of MMA icon ”Khabib Nurmagomedov”. At her post-fight press conference, Pérez stood firm and unapologetic. She stated that her aim is to be the “protagonist” of every show she takes part in.
“I want to make every fight memorable for the fans and for the UFC,” she said. “Everyone who I call out ends up running away anyway, so I’ll stop asking for specific names. I just want to finish the year strong.”
The event, while controversial, contributed to the overall excitement. However, there were skeptics within the UFC who questioned whether it was truly all in good fun.
UFC commentator and former fighter ”Michael Bisping” raised doubts about the authenticity of Pérez’s weigh-in experience.
Bisping argued that her trembling on the scales could have been a show. Pérez, however, brushed aside these allegations, chuckling at the criticism during her press conference. “I was chilly, that’s all,” she said.
“People don’t know the full story, but they’ll talk anyway. In the end, I won the fight, and that’s what matters.” Pérez’s win brings her professional record to ”11-2”. She has firmly established herself as a leading competitor in the women’s bantamweight division, currently holding the ”15th” rank.
As a fighter, Pérez has demonstrated impressive skills and strong appeal. However, her behavior in the octagon, particularly the contentious twerk, has ignited discussions regarding sportsmanship.
Supporters are actively engaging in conversations about the delicate balance between self-assurance and rudeness.
Pérez’s remarkable performance has certainly bolstered her rising fame, but it’s the twerk that has truly captured the spotlight. The Argentine fighter stands firm, relishing the attention as she pursues her journey toward UFC fame.
Her ambition, as she stated, is to elevate UFC in ”Argentina” and showcase her country on a global platform. We have yet to determine the impact of her distinctive style on her journey to success.
Pérez’s skill in dominating the octagon and captivating global attention ultimately turned her fight into one of the most discussed highlights of UFC Paris.
Feature Image Credit: (Getty)
