Norma Dumont says Ailin Perez “Has Mental Problems” as their UFC feud turns personal

The rivalry has played out outside the Octagon for months, with  Allin Perez repeatedly finding ways to needle Dumont. Their fight is now set for Saturday and Norma Dumont has made it clear that she sees the matchup as more than another ranked assignment.

The Brazilian's latest comments added another layer to an already heated buildup. She believes Perez has deliberately tried to get a reaction from her, and Dumont seems more than happy to settle the matter once they finally share the cage.

Dumont and Perez Bring Genuine Bad Blood Into the Octagon

Dumont was unusually direct when discussing the fight with MMA Fighting. She described the hostility between them as genuine rather than something created for promotion.

 

“It’s a fight that literally has a personal anger, a personal issue, that the two of us have against each other.”

 

Part of that anger comes from an incident involving Perez and Dumont’s boyfriend, UFC middleweight Marco Tulio. Perez posted a video in August that referenced Tulio, and Dumont says this was not the first time Perez had filmed her.

 

“She’s already secretly filmed me three times,” Dumont said. “She loves doing that. She has mental problems.”

 

Dumont also said Perez had tagged Tulio repeatedly on social media before he eventually blocked her. She sees those actions as an attempt to provoke her. Rather than continue the back-and-forth, Dumont wants to settle it inside the Octagon.

 

“I don’t need to fall for her bait or play along with the little things she likes to do. She’s already not someone who has much shame about anything, neither in her personal life nor anything else, so now that the contract is signed, I already have my date to beat her, I have my time to do what I need to do, what I want to do without getting arrested.”

 

Norma Dumont REALLY wants to get her hands on Ailin Perez at #UFCVegas121:

"It’s a fight that literally has a personal anger, a personal issue. … I have my time to do what I need to do, what I want to do without getting arrested."

(🎥 @guicruzzz) pic.twitter.com/C5Z0kU8aAX

— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) September 24, 2026

 

Dumont has also said she tends to fight more aggressively when she is angry. She expects that to work in her favor against Perez.

Dumont Thinks the Bantamweight Title Could Suddenly Be Vacant

The fight could have major consequences beyond their personal issues. Dumont is already looking at what may happen at the top of the division when Kayla Harrison faces Amanda Nunes at UFC 334 on November 14.

Dumont believes both women could retire after that fight.

 

“In my opinion, whoever wins retires, and whoever loses retires.”

 

That's Dumont’s prediction, not a confirmed UFC plan. Perez, however, has already considered the possibility of a vacant title. She said she believes she should fight for the belt next and would be willing to step in for the vacant championship if Harrison and Nunes both walk away.

A win over Dumont would strengthen that case. But before either woman can start thinking seriously about the belt, they have to deal with the personal rivalry that has been building for months.