Ailin Perez Wants Title Shot Following UFC Vegas 121 Showdown

Ailin Perez is scheduled to face No. 2 bantamweight contender Norma Dumont this Saturday at UFC Fight Night 289 as she hunts her seventh straight win. But it's more than the streak that she's after. 'Fiona' also hopes to get a crack at the division belt with this clash. 

Ailin Perez Looks at Dumont Bout as Title Eliminator

The Argentine fighter knows better than to take Dumont lightly. Believing it to be her most challenging fight yet, Perez knows the night's influence will carry far beyond the Octagon. It may even act as her ticket to the division queen. 

“This is a lot more of an advanced fight than I’ve had since before being in the rankings… I do think this is going to be a fight that is deciding who is the No. 1 contender for the title," Perez told UFC. 

Even the high-stakes matchup taking place in the prelims doesn't shake that confidence. All that matters to the No. 5 bantamweight contender is getting a whirl at the belt, which she believes is only one or two fights away.

In fact, Perez has also offered to be the official backup for the UFC 334 bantamweight title bout between reigning champion Kayla Harrison and UFC great Amanda Nunes, should something fall through. 

“I feel ready, and not just to fight for the belt, but also to be the backup. I’m ready to replace Kayla or Amanda should the UFC need someone in November. Kayla is coming off a neck surgery, and Amanda is older now,” Fiona told Hablemos MMA, translated from Spanish. 

However, she still has to overcome Dumont before either opportunity materializes, and Perez remains confident in herself despite lingering injuries.

Ailin Perez's Cocky Vegas Prediction

The rivalry between the two is heating up, with Norma Dumont even getting personal with her jabs. Ailin Perez is not interested in exchanging words, however, as she looks to answer that inside the cage. Even the stress fracture in her ankle and broken cartilage in her knee from a heel hook attempt by her last opponent haven't dimmed her fire.

“ knock out Norma with a head kick with my fractured foot,” Perez claimed. "I have been recovering from those injuries — they’re not 100 percent, but they’re good enough to knock Norma out with a head kick."

In fact, Fiona looks at her career peppered with injuries and still finds no quitter. From shoulder injuries to facial lacerations, she has never let those setbacks turn into excuses. 

“I’ve never fought healthy; I’ve always been injured... If I can train, I can fight; no excuses."

Tailing right behind Amanda Nunes for the most UFC women's bantamweight takedowns, Ailin Perez is entering the fight with huge momentum. Her title aspirations only add to the intrigue.