A five-round main event. This is what Ailin Perez wants for his next UFC fight.
The rising UFC women’s bantamweight feels it’s time for the promotion to give her a place in the spotlight, as she wants to prove to fans and UFC bosses that she’s ready for big things in her career. Perez (10-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC), who in his short time in the UFC has gained nearly half a million followers on Instagram, would like it to be against the former PFL champion Kayla Harrison.
“What I want is to fight a five-round main fight, preferably against Kayla Harrison,” Perez told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “We want this fight because she is the best fighter in the category and the person with the biggest name after mine.
“Sorry girls, whether you like it or not, Ailin Perez is making waves across all platforms.”
Ranked candidate Norma Dumont It’s also an option Perez would like, but she says the main goal is to get a fight in the main event. The opponent for this potential fight is secondary in priority.
“Yes, because if they give me Norma, I will fight five rounds with her, no problem,” Perez said about a five-round fight being his priority. “This is the war of the donkeys, and she’s been on the run for a while, so if she wants to fight, I’m down.
“She’s not reserved, and neither am I, so let’s go. …But yeah, ideally, I’d like it to be against Kayla Harrison or Norma Dumont so I can kick her ass for five rounds.
Since losing her UFC debut in a fight she took on at the last minute against Stephanie Egger a weight class above normal, the Argentine has won three in a row, defeating Ashlee Evans-Smith, Lucie Pudilova and, most recently, Joselyne Edwards.
Perez feels it’s time to take a step forward.
“I feel like I can fight in the main event now,” Perez said. “I have conditioning and I found balance in this weight loss. I know how to lose weight without suffering too much. When someone is confident that they will be world champion, they will seize any opportunity, take advantage of it and emerge victorious.”
