Argentina’s Ailin Perez made waves at UFC Paris with her victory and subsequent celebration. Perez, known for her vibrant personality, secured a first-round submission win against Russian opponent Darya Zheleznyakova in their bantamweight bout on Saturday night at the Accor Arena.
The match concluded swiftly as Perez executed a skillful submission maneuver, forcing Zheleznyakova to tap out. However, it was Perez’s post-victory antics that truly captured the audience’s attention. Immediately after her triumph, Perez broke into her signature twerking dance, directing the celebratory moves towards her defeated opponent.
Perez, who has gained a following on OF, continued her dance even as Zheleznyakova regained her footing. The Argentine fighter then turned her attention to the crowd, treating the spectators to an encore performance of her provocative dance moves, much to their apparent delight.
This isn’t the first time Perez has showcased her twerking skills in a UFC setting. She’s known for incorporating the dance into her weigh-in routines, and recently, men’s bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili was seen playfully interacting with Perez during one of her pre-fight dance displays.
In her Octagon interview, Perez expressed her joy at participating in UFC Paris and her desire to be a memorable part of every event she attends. She also dedicated her submission victory to her coach, Javier Oshar Sabo, revealing that they had specifically trained for this maneuver in the months leading up to the event.
Looking ahead, Perez shared her aspirations of bringing a UFC event to her home country of Argentina. She also expressed interest in competing in upcoming events in Tampa or Miami, considering herself a Floridian now that she resides in the United States.
The lead-up to the fight wasn’t without controversy, as Perez missed the weight limit by half a pound during Friday’s weigh-in. Footage from the event showed Perez appearing visibly unwell and unsteady, raising concerns about her condition. Despite this setback, Perez managed to overcome the challenges and secure her victory in the Octagon.
Du pur Ailin Perez 😳@AiluPerezUFC s'impose par soumission au premier round
📺 Regardez la carte préliminaire de l’#UFCParis GRATUITEMENT sur la chaine Twitch de RMC Sport pic.twitter.com/gnOEUzVE49
— UFC France (@UFCFRA) September 28, 2024
