A fiery grudge match between Ailin Perez and Joselyne Edwards on the UFC 302 undercard saw Perez emerge victorious by unanimous decision. But it was not without controversy. The tension between the two stem from a backstage altercation last year. However, it spilled over into the octagon.
Perez dominated the opening round before the match took a dramatic turn in the second. Edwards landed a blatant headbutt on Perez while on the ground, sparking outrage from commentator Joe Rogan who demanded a point deduction for the “deliberate” move. Despite the clear foul, referee Gasper Oliver only issued a warning.
Speaking during the live broadcast of UFC 302, Rogan said: “That was a headbutt… looked very deliberate. Interesting, they didn’t even take a point, I mean there’s no other thing that could have been happening from that movement.”
Unfazed by the incident, Perez floored Edwards with a spinning back fist shortly after. However, she couldn’t capitalize and the match went the distance. The judges ultimately awarded Perez the win. All three judges scored the match 30-27, 29-28, and 30-27 in favor of Perez.
Perez twerked in front of Dana White and Paulo Costa during fight week, so it was no surprise when she immediately broke out her signature move when her victory was confirmed. The 29-year-old from Argentina was egged on by her coaches, who pointed at her backside as she danced for the camera before hugging it out with Edwards.
In November 2023, UFC announcer Brendan Fitzgerald was caught on camera cheering her on as she did a handstand against the Octagon fence and twerked in footage that quickly went viral.
The 10-2 contender also used the spotlight to promote her OnlyF*ns, and it worked. She made more in the following days than she did for beating Lucie Pudilová.
Talking about her OnlyFans earnings on The MMA Hour, Perez stated: “On a month-to-month basis, it really depends on how it’s been because I keep evolving with this. But, since Thursday until now, it’s been over $30,000. Each time I fight it is going to keep multiplying, it’s just going to be better every time I fight.”
UFC 302: Makhachev vs. Poirier : Free early early prelims .
Ailin Perez vs Joselyne Edwards #UFC302
Deliberate headbutt on Perez executed by Joselyne pic.twitter.com/VljoJkC1BO
— Just zipped a bong hit with my bear Ted (@stonedagainbros) June 1, 2024
“I got paid $24,000 for the fight because I’m on my first contract. As I keep fighting, I will get paid more and more and by the next contract, hopefully, it is more. By the next fight, hopefully, I get a new extension, which is what I’m looking for and hopefully, I can multiply that number, so it is even better pay than what I got.”
Perez making so much money on the adult content-sharing platform is unsurprising. Several UFC stars have parlayed their combat sports fame into a lucrative side hustle.
