Norma Dumont and Ailin Perez, UFC Vegas 121 weigh-in Credit: Patrick Danna/Cageside Press
Bumped up to the co-main event on Thursday, Norma Dumont vs. Ailin Perez was something of a title eliminator at UFC Vegas 121, at least in theory.
With Kayla Harrison facing Amanda Nunes in November, the winner of Dumont vs. Perez would be primed for a run at gold. And it didn’t hurt that the fight had become a grudge match, with Dumont throwing condoms and money at Perez during Friday’s face-offs, a commentary no doubt on the Argentinian’s escapades on porn emporium OnlyFans.
The fight itself opened with Dumont working her jab and low kicks while Perez circled. When Perez looked to clinch up about a minute in, Dumont easily pushed her off. Perez then got her hands going, leading to the first solid exchange between the two. Dumont jabbed the body, ripped a kick, but had to contend with a Perez combo in response.
Later in the round, Perez would get to her wheelhouse, with Dumont on her back and Ailin on top of her. Working from half-guard, Perez earned some control and time got a few strikes in, finishing the round strong.
In round two, it was Dumont on top early, with over four minutes on the clock. The Brazilian was in full guard, and gave Perez a little face wash. Perez seemed to react to that and exploded up from the bottom, scrambling out care of her butterfly guard. Back on the feet, Dumont would work leg kicks while the pair continued to train. It was Dumont centered, and Perez working outside. Dumont had the striking edge in all areas, at least in terms of output, while Perez went high with a kick that was blocked, but was lacking in terms of volume. “Fiona” did finish the round with a spinning kick, though she was in too close for it to land clean.
Round three saw Perez pressing early, eventually landing a right hand. Soon enough, however, Dumont was back at center. The pair continued to trade, with as many punches hitting air as landing. Perez switched stances, looking for a way inside. She uncorked an overhand that didn’t land. In a fight that was very potentially even, it was still anyone’s game by the midway mark. A Perez kick just grazed the body.
With 90 seconds to go, Ailin Perez finally grabbed a body lock, taking Dumont to the fence. While she was in control, she struggled to get Dumont to the canvas. Dumont defended with a whizzer, and found some space for a couple of punches. Perez stayed on the attempt, landing a punch over the top and firing knees. They’d go to the very end with Perez never landing the takedown, and the pair bumping chests and getting in each other’s face after the horn.
With Perez claiming a unanimous decision, she immediately went into her usual twerking celebration, directed right at Dumont. Security had to separate the pair, and Dumont was still chirping as she was led out of the cage. “She treated me like prostitute,” Perez exclaimed after, speaking via translator, and adding she couldn’t use the condoms Dumont had thrown at her, because her “balls are too big.”
That left UFC analyst Paul Felder rather embarrassed, though he had the wherewithal to ask just why that energy wasn’t used in the fight.
29-28 all for Ailin Perez 🇦🇷
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— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) September 27, 2026
Official Result: Ailin Perez def. Norma Dumont by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)