The UFC has long been a battleground for both physical competition and larger-than-life personalities. Athletes known for their intense trash talk, like Conor McGregor, have helped shape the UFC’s image, blending sportsmanship with entertainment. However, when the fight ends, it’s usually expected that both fighters will show respect, setting aside any pre-match antics. That wasn’t the case recently when UFC fighter Ailín Pérez faced harsh criticism for her post-victory celebration after a fight in Paris.
A UFC fight in Paris has caused a stir. Credit: Chris Unger/Getty
Ailín Pérez’s Victory Overshadowed by Controversial Celebration
On Saturday, September 28, Ailín Pérez took on Darya Zheleznyakova in the Women’s Bantamweight division at the Accor Arena in Paris. Pérez dominated the match from the start, quickly securing a submission victory in the very first round. Despite her impressive performance in the octagon, it wasn’t her fighting skills that made the most headlines. Instead, her post-fight behavior sparked outrage and criticism.
Moments after her win, with her opponent still on the ground, Pérez chose to celebrate by twerking in Zheleznyakova’s face. The act, which was captured on camera, immediately went viral, causing an uproar among fans and MMA enthusiasts.
Backlash from the MMA Community
It didn’t take long for social media to light up with reactions to Pérez’s controversial celebration. Many were quick to express their disapproval, calling her behavior unprofessional and disrespectful.
One user wrote, “She missed weight, got to fight because of her opponent agreeing to catch weight. Now this? Low class.” This comment referenced the fact that both Pérez and Zheleznyakova missed the 136-pound bantamweight limit during their official weigh-in, raising concerns about their physical conditions ahead of the fight.
Another fan commented, “She is a classless bum. To have the nerve to grandstand with such unprofessionalism after missing weight? Total trash of a human being. Looking forward to when she faces tough competition and gets her comeuppance.”
A Divided Audience: Disrespect or Entertainment?
While the majority of the responses were critical, some fans took a different view, seeing the celebration as an expression of dominance and confidence. One person noted, “Having someone twerk in your face after getting finished is the ultimate disrespect. Wow.”
In the fight world, moments of disrespect can serve to fuel rivalries and keep fans engaged, but Pérez’s actions seemed to cross a line for many. The incident has reignited discussions about sportsmanship in the UFC and how far fighters should be allowed to go when celebrating a victory.
The Weight Miss Controversy
The controversy didn’t start with Pérez’s post-fight twerking. Both she and her opponent missed the 136-pound weight limit for the bantamweight division, with footage showing Pérez visibly shaking on the UFC scale. This raised questions about her physical condition leading into the fight. Despite these concerns, the fight went ahead after Zheleznyakova agreed to a catchweight bout.
The missed weight added another layer to the backlash. Fans were not only upset about the twerking but also about the fact that Pérez, who failed to make weight, went on to gloat after her win. Missing weight in professional fighting is seen as a serious breach of discipline, and many felt that her actions showed a lack of respect for her opponent, the sport, and the fans.
😳 😢 Ailin Perez gets emotional while shaking on the scales. Missed weight by 0.5 pounds. pic.twitter.com/lTL2VxEOTc
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) September 27, 2024
Ailín Pérez Defends Her Actions and Celebrates Her Win
Despite the criticism, Pérez appeared unbothered by the controversy. After the match, she expressed her excitement about fighting in Paris, emphasizing how much this victory meant to her. Speaking to TalkSport, she said, “I’m super happy to be participating in UFC Paris, and like I always say, I want to be the protagonist of every show that I’m at—for the fans and for the UFC.”
Pérez also defended her performance, noting that this fight was a chance for her to shine against a less experienced opponent. “Since I started in the UFC, they’ve been giving me a lot of veterans that have at least five fights. So it was nice to be able to get a fighter that was a little bit less challenging compared to the rest so I could show myself and really get a highlight win instead of winning by decision against harder, more challenging fighters,” she explained.
For Pérez, the fight represented an opportunity to assert herself in the UFC and build her reputation as a force to be reckoned with, but her choice of celebration has left many questioning her professionalism.
The Importance of Sportsmanship in the UFC
AILIN PEREZ WINS BY SUBMISSION AND TWERKS ON HER OPPONENT AFTERWARDS 😭😭#UFCParis #UFC #MMA
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 28, 2024
pic.twitter.com/996Wzixnyl
Pérez’s post-fight behavior has sparked a larger conversation about sportsmanship in the UFC. While the sport thrives on intensity and entertainment, fighters are expected to show respect once the match is over. The UFC has seen its fair share of controversial celebrations, but moments like these blur the lines between showmanship and disrespect.
For many fans, the issue wasn’t just the act of twerking but the context surrounding it—missing weight, dominating the fight, and then celebrating in such a brash manner seemed to go against the unspoken code of conduct in combat sports.
What’s Next for Ailín Pérez?
Despite the backlash, Ailín Pérez’s career is likely to continue gaining momentum, and this incident may even draw more eyes to her future fights. However, if she hopes to win over the MMA community, she may need to rethink her post-fight antics and focus on delivering performances that can speak for themselves.
The moment has caused quite a stir. Credit: Chris Unger/Getty
It will be interesting to see how the UFC and fans react to her in future matches. Will she be known for her skills or her controversial celebrations? Only time will tell.
Conclusion: Will Karma Catch Up with Pérez?
Ailín Pérez’s victory over Darya Zheleznyakova could have been remembered for her dominant performance in the octagon. Instead, it’s become a topic of controversy due to her post-fight twerking. While some may see it as a bold statement of confidence, the majority of fans view it as unprofessional and disrespectful.
Moving forward, Pérez will need to navigate the fine line between showmanship and sportsmanship. As the UFC continues to grow, fighters like Pérez will need to remember that respect for the sport and their opponents is just as important as winning inside the octagon. Only time will tell if karma catches up with her or if she’ll find redemption in future fights.
