Argentinian UFC fighter Ailín Pérez left the audience stunned after her post-victory celebration in Paris on September 28. Pérez secured a first-round submission win against Russian fighter Darya Zheleznyakova during a Women’s Bantamweight bout at the Accor Arena. However, it was her provocative celebration that got the internet buzzing.
After sealing her victory with an arm-triangle choke, Pérez performed her trademark twerk, aiming it directly at her defeated opponent. As Zheleznyakova got up, Pérez continued to turn and twist toward her, adding fuel to what many viewers saw as an act of disrespect.
Divided Opinions on Social Media
Fans quickly took to social media to express their divided opinions. One Twitter user praised her for combining dominance with flair, stating, “Ailin Perez with the submission AND the celebration! That’s how you make a statement!” However, others criticized the move, labeling it as “disrespectful” and “low class.” Another fan tweeted, “Having someone twerk in your face after getting finished is the ultimate disrespect, wow.”
Despite the backlash, Pérez showed no signs of remorse and even addressed the incident humorously on social media, writing: “I Khabib’d the Russian and then twerked on her.” She has become well-known for celebrating her UFC victories with this dance move, though this instance has sparked more controversy than her previous celebrations.
A Precarious Start to the Fight
Leading up to the fight, Pérez’s weight cut caused concern among fans, as she was seen shaking and near tears at the weigh-in. She narrowly missed the 136lbs limit by 0.5lbs, forcing the bout to become a catchweight fight at 136.5lbs. Despite this, Pérez recovered and pulled off her first UFC finish, extending her winning streak to four, now standing with a professional record of 11-2.
The win is a significant milestone for the 29-year-old, who is currently ranked 15th in the UFC’s Women’s Bantamweight division. She dedicated the win to her coach and expressed her desire to bring UFC to Argentina one day, describing it as her “biggest dream.”
A Fighter Making Waves
Pérez’s antics may have divided fans, but there’s no denying her growing reputation in the UFC. In her post-fight interview, Pérez said: “I want to be the protagonist of every show that I’m at… I could really get a highlight win instead of winning by decision against harder, more challenging fighters.”
As she continues to climb the ranks in the UFC, her in-ring performances and celebrations will likely keep making headlines—for better or for worse.
