Following a thrilling match, UFC athlete Ailín Pérez solidified her victory over Russian competitor Darya Zheleznyakova. The recent Women’s Bantamweight fight saw two powerful contenders, Argentinean Ailín Pérez and Darya Zheleznyakova from Russia, stand face-to-face in the revered Accor Arena based in Paris, France. The ceremonial weight-ins on the eve of the match sparked a controversy, with Zheleznyakova registering under the 136lbs bantamweight category and Pérez being half a pound off the mark. Observers expressed their concern when they spotted Pérez seemingly unstable while standing on the UFC weigh-in scale.
Regardless of the controversy surrounding the weigh-ins, Pérez demonstrated excellent sporting prowess and secured her victory with a first-round submission. Instantly, following the win, Pérez’s celebratory actions became the talk of the evening. As she danced her victory with a provocative shaking of her hips towards Zheleznyakova, spectators’ opinions sharply diverged. This impromptu celebration continued, with Pérez twisting and turning, as Zheleznyakova regained her footing.
Following the match, social media was abuzz with mixed reactions to the unusual victory celebration. One social media user enthusiastically tweeted, commending Ailín Pérez for her impressive performance, ‘Ailin Perez wins with both the submission and the celebration. What a way to make your mark!’ However, this sentiment was not shared by everyone, with many considering the celebration disrespectful.
Other social media voices expressed their disapproval, with one person noting, ‘It’s very degrading when someone celebrates their victory over you that way. Absolute disrespect!’ Another person concurred, expressing strong disapproval, ‘Talk about lack of respect!’ While a third chimed in with a succinct, ‘Not classy at all.’ Despite the varied responses and the controversy surrounding her celebration, Perez remained undeterred.
Post-match, Pérez radiated with pride and expressed her joy, ‘I’m thrilled about being a part of UFC Paris. My aim, as always, is to be the highlight of any show I’m part of, for my fans and for UFC.’ Her win was devoted to her mentor, Javier Oshar Sabo, signifying the esteemed role he played in her journey. Further cementing her dreams, Pérez added that her ultimate aspiration was to ‘act as a catalyst in bringing UFC to Argentina’.
‘A big shout out to Mick Maynard for expertly guiding my UFC career’s trajectory. I won’t be requesting for specific opponents anymore,’ Pérez said in conclusion. The fighter has secured a top 15 rank, prompting her to assert, ‘I won’t press for specific opponents as it seems they tend to shy away.’ Ailín shared her thoughts about her next steps, expressing her resolve to continue defining her place in UFC.
Pérez concluded, ‘My vision is to close the year by participating in UFC Tampa in December or potentially opt for a Miami card if available. Claiming Florida as my home now, I aspire to continue my journey here in the United States, as I eventually shape my UFC dreams.’ This victory has pushed Pérez further into the spotlight and brought a new flavor to the UFC narrative, stirring anticipation and debate among fans and critics alike.