Ailin Perez Bio
Ailin Luciana Perez, known by her ring name Fiona, is an Argentinian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the women’s Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Born on 5 October 1994 in Zarate, Buenos Aires, Argentina, she has built a reputation as a dynamic striker and submission threat inside the cage. As of 7 October 2025, she holds the number eight spot in the official UFC women’s bantamweight rankings. Outside of competition, she trains out of The Goat Shed and is recognized for her aggressive, crowd-engaging fighting style.
Early Life and Background
Ailin Luciana Perez grew up in Zarate, a city in the Buenos Aires province of Argentina, where she first encountered martial arts at the age of 11. She began training in kung fu and sanda, traditional Chinese combat disciplines that emphasized striking, footwork, and full-contact sparring. These early experiences gave her a strong foundation in stand-up fighting and helped shape her disciplined approach to training.
As a teenager and young adult, Perez continued to develop her skills, and at the age of 20, she decided to broaden her martial arts education by moving to Buenos Aires. There, she immersed herself in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a grappling-based discipline that complemented her striking background and introduced her to the ground game. The move marked a turning point in her athletic journey, as she began to focus seriously on a career in mixed martial arts.
Path to MMA
Perez’s transition into professional mixed martial arts came after years of building a versatile skill set across multiple disciplines. Combining her kung fu and sanda striking base with newly acquired Brazilian jiu-jitsu knowledge, she developed into a well-rounded fighter capable of finishing opponents both on the feet and on the mat. Her dedication to the sport culminated in her decision to turn professional in 2018.
Competing primarily as a bantamweight, she quickly accumulated experience on the regional scene, sharpening her craft against a range of opponents. Her performances caught the attention of larger promotions, and she eventually earned an opportunity to compete on one of the biggest stages in the sport. By the time she reached the UFC, she had already established herself as a serious contender in the women’s 135-pound division.
Ailin Perez Career
Early Career (2018-2022)
After turning professional in 2018, Ailin Luciana Perez fought across various promotions in South America and beyond, steadily building her record. In August 2021, she captured the women’s bantamweight title of the Brazilian promotion Samurai Fight House by defeating Alessandra Tainara with a head kick, showcasing the striking ability she had cultivated since childhood. Her reign was short-lived, however, as she lost the title in November 2021 to Tamires Vidal after being disqualified for an illegal knee.
Despite that setback, Perez continued to develop and remained focused on reaching the highest level of the sport. Her hard work paid off when she received the call to join the UFC roster, making her promotional debut on 3 September 2022.
UFC Breakthrough (2022-2024)
Ailin Luciana Perez debuted in the UFC on 3 September 2022, at UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa. Originally scheduled to face Zarah Fairn Dos Santos, she instead met Stephanie Egger after a late change, and the fight ended in a second-round rear-naked choke loss for Perez. The defeat served as a learning experience, and she quickly bounced back in her next appearances inside the Octagon.
On 15 July 2023, at UFC Fight Night 224, Perez faced Ashlee Evans-Smith and secured her first UFC victory by unanimous decision, demonstrating improved conditioning and composure. She followed that up with another unanimous decision win over Lucie Pudilova on 18 November 2023, at UFC Fight Night 232, further cementing her place in the bantamweight division.
On 1 June 2024, at UFC 302, Perez took on Joselyne Edwards in a fight that had been preceded by a training altercation between the two. Perez once again emerged victorious by unanimous decision, extending her winning streak. Her most talked-about performance of the year came on 28 September 2024, at UFC Fight Night 243 in Paris, where she submitted Darya Zheleznyakova with an arm-triangle choke in the first round. The win, however, was surrounded by controversy after a weigh-in miss and a post-fight celebration that drew criticism and a reported suspension in France.
2025 Campaign
Ailin Luciana Perez began 2025 in strong fashion, facing Karol Rosa on 18 January 2025, at UFC 311. She earned a unanimous decision victory, adding another high-profile win to her resume and reinforcing her position in the rankings. The performance signaled that she remained a legitimate threat in the women’s bantamweight division.
Throughout 2025, Perez has continued to train at The Goat Shed, refining her hybrid skill set of striking and grappling. With her ranking among the top ten in the division, she remains in contention for higher-profile matchups as the season progresses.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although Ailin Luciana Perez competes in MMA rather than motorsport, her fighting style reflects the versatility she developed through kung fu, sanda, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. She is known for her crisp striking, particularly her head kicks, and her ability to finish fights with submissions such as the arm-triangle choke. Her aggressive approach, combined with strong cardio and finishing instincts, has made her a difficult matchup for opponents across the bantamweight division.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most memorable moments of Ailin Luciana Perez’s career came at UFC Fight Night 243 in Paris, where she submitted Darya Zheleznyakova in the first round before engaging in a controversial post-fight celebration. Earlier, her capture of the Samurai Fight House bantamweight title in 2021 marked her emergence as a championship-caliber fighter. Her first UFC win over Ashlee Evans-Smith in 2023 officially announced her arrival on the global stage.
Ailin Perez Career Wins
Across her professional career, Ailin Luciana Perez has compiled a record of 12 wins and 2 losses in 14 total fights, with a significant portion of her victories coming by way of decision and knockout. She has demonstrated finishing ability with four wins by knockout and one by submission, while six of her wins have gone the distance. Her only loss by disqualification came during her Samurai Fight House title defense in 2021.
UFC Highlights
Since joining the UFC in 2022, Ailin Luciana Perez has steadily built a reputation as a tough, finish-oriented competitor. Her first promotional win came against Ashlee Evans-Smith in July 2023, followed by decision victories over Lucie Pudilova and Joselyne Edwards. In 2024 and 2025, she added notable submission and decision wins over Darya Zheleznyakova and Karol Rosa, respectively, helping her climb to a top-ten ranking in the women’s bantamweight division.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the UFC, Ailin Luciana Perez captured the women’s bantamweight title of the Brazilian-based Samurai Fight House in 2021, defeating Alessandra Tainara with a head kick. Although she later lost the title under unusual circumstances, the championship remains a significant achievement in her early career and a sign of the potential that would eventually carry her to the world’s largest MMA promotion.
Ailin Perez Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ailin Luciana Perez was raised in Zarate, Buenos Aires, where her introduction to martial arts at age 11 set the foundation for her future career. While specific details about her parents and immediate family are not publicly verified, her upbringing in a working-class Argentine city shaped her disciplined and resilient character. Her early commitment to kung fu and sanda suggests a family environment that supported her athletic development.
Personal Life
Ailin Luciana Perez is a single mother and has a son, with public reports noting that he was around seven years old as of recent coverage. She currently resides in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she continues to train and prepare for competition. Her journey as both a mother and a top-ten UFC fighter has made her a respected figure in the sport.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 campaign has positioned Ailin Luciana Perez as one of the rising names in the UFC women’s bantamweight division. Her unanimous decision victory over Karol Rosa at UFC 311 in January demonstrated her ability to compete with established contenders and set a positive tone for the rest of the year. The win, combined with her prior momentum, helped elevate her to the number eight ranking in the division by October 2025.
As the season continues, Perez remains focused on securing higher-ranked opponents and potentially positioning herself for a future title opportunity. Training out of The Goat Shed alongside her team, she continues to blend her diverse martial arts background into a complete fighting approach. With several fights likely still ahead in 2025, her trajectory within the division points toward continued growth and possible marquee matchups in the near future.