Ailín Luciana Pérez Bio
Ailín Luciana Pérez, born on 5 October 1994, is an Argentinian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the women’s Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Fighting under the nickname “Fiona,” she has built a reputation as one of the most talked-about rising talents in her weight class. Standing 5 feet 5 inches tall with a 66-inch reach, Pérez is currently ranked among the top contenders in the UFC women’s bantamweight division and trains out of The Goat Shed in Buenos Aires.
Born and raised in Argentina, Pérez discovered martial arts at an early age and has spent more than a decade refining her striking and grappling skills. Her journey from a small training hall in Zárate to the global stage of the UFC reflects years of discipline, persistence, and high-profile performances against seasoned opponents.
Early Life and Background
Ailín Luciana Pérez was born in Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and raised in the nearby city of Zárate. She began her martial arts journey at the age of 11, initially training in kung fu and sanda. These traditional striking disciplines gave her a strong foundation in movement, balance, and hand-eye coordination that would later define her fighting style.
Growing up in a working-class Argentine community, Pérez balanced her training with everyday responsibilities, eventually choosing to commit fully to combat sports. Her early exposure to kung fu and sanda exposed her to full-contact sparring at a young age, which helped her develop the toughness and confidence needed for a professional fighting career.
At the age of 20, Pérez made the significant decision to leave Zárate and move to Buenos Aires in pursuit of higher-level training. In the capital, she expanded her skill set by training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ), which broadened her ground game and prepared her for the realities of mixed martial arts competition. Her move to Buenos Aires marked the turning point that pushed her toward a professional career.
Path to MMA
After settling into Buenos Aires and training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Pérez committed to a career in mixed martial arts. She turned professional in 2018, beginning her journey on the regional South American circuit. Her blend of striking background and rapidly improving grappling made her a difficult matchup for opponents on the regional scene.
Pérez’s early professional career was spent competing in promotions across Argentina and Brazil, where she stacked up victories and gained the attention of international scouts. She won the women’s bantamweight title of the Brazilian promotion Samurai Fight House in August 2021 by defeating Alessandra Tainara with a head kick, marking her first major championship. Although she lost the title later that year against Tamires Vidal, the experience established her as a legitimate contender in the bantamweight division.
Her strong performances in regional MMA earned her a call-up to the UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization. With a record built on finishes and decisions against quality opposition, Pérez entered the global stage ready to test herself against the best bantamweights in the world.
Ailín Luciana Pérez Career
Early Career (2018–2022)
Ailín Luciana Pérez made her professional MMA debut in 2018, competing primarily in regional promotions in Argentina. Her early fights showcased her striking pedigree, with several of her victories coming via knockout. As she built experience, she added more decision-based wins to her resume, demonstrating her ability to perform across multiple rounds.
Her regional run included a high-profile stint with Samurai Fight House in Brazil, where she captured the women’s bantamweight title in August 2021. Although she later lost the belt due to an illegal knee, the title-winning performance against Alessandra Tainara cemented her status as an international prospect. By the time she signed with the UFC, Pérez had compiled a strong record and a reputation for finishing fights and outworking opponents.
UFC Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Pérez made her UFC debut on September 3, 2022, at UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa, where she was originally scheduled to face Zarah Fairn Dos Santos. After Fairn was withdrawn from the event, Stephanie Egger stepped in as a replacement, and Pérez lost the bout by rear-naked choke submission in the second round. The loss was a setback, but it provided valuable experience on the world’s biggest stage.
She rebounded emphatically in her next appearance, facing Ashlee Evans-Smith on July 15, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 224. Pérez won the fight by unanimous decision, showing improved composure and a more measured approach. She followed that victory with another unanimous decision win over Lucie Pudilová on November 18, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 232, establishing herself as a winning presence in the bantamweight division.
UFC Ascendancy (2024–Present)
In 2024, Pérez continued her rise through the women’s bantamweight ranks. On June 1, 2024, at UFC 302, she faced Joselyne Edwards, a bout preceded by a notable altercation at a prior training session. Pérez kept her composure and earned a unanimous decision victory, demonstrating her mental toughness as much as her technical skill.
She added another notable win on September 28, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 243 in Paris, where she faced Darya Zheleznyakova. After a dramatic weigh-in that saw her miss weight by half a pound, Pérez submitted Zheleznyakova via an arm-triangle choke in the first round. The victory, however, was followed by controversy over her post-fight celebration, which drew criticism and reportedly led to a suspension in France.
On January 18, 2025, at UFC 311, Pérez defeated Karol Rosa by unanimous decision, further climbing the rankings. She then faced Macy Chiasson on February 28, 2026, at UFC Fight Night 268, securing another unanimous decision win that reinforced her place among the division’s top competitors.
Style and Strengths
Pérez blends a traditional Chinese striking base with a steadily evolving ground game developed through Brazilian jiu-jitsu training. Her background in kung fu and sanda gives her sharp, explosive striking, while her submission victories—including the arm-triangle choke against Zheleznyakova—showcase her comfort on the mat. Training out of The Goat Shed in Buenos Aires, she continues to refine her ability to mix striking and grappling over the course of a full fight.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Pérez’s career came with her first-round submission of Darya Zheleznyakova at UFC Fight Night 243 in Paris, a fight that highlighted her finishing ability and mental resilience. Her first UFC victory over Ashlee Evans-Smith marked a turning point, and her continued climb up the bantamweight rankings—including a place in the top eight by late 2025—stands as a major career milestone.
Ailín Luciana Pérez Career Wins
Across her professional career, Ailín Luciana Pérez has compiled a record marked by a balance of finishes and decisions. Her victories reflect her versatility, with knockouts that highlight her striking pedigree and decisions that show her ability to grind out wins against durable opponents.
UFC Highlights
Within the UFC, Pérez has earned multiple decision wins, including victories over Ashlee Evans-Smith, Lucie Pudilová, Joselyne Edwards, Karol Rosa, and Macy Chiasson. Her most recent confirmed win came over Chiasson by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 268 in February 2026. She also holds a notable submission win over Darya Zheleznyakova at UFC Fight Night 243, a fight remembered as much for its dramatic weigh-in as for its first-round finish.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the UFC, Pérez captured the women’s bantamweight title of Samurai Fight House in August 2021 with a head-kick victory over Alessandra Tainara. Her regional career prior to 2018 and during the years that followed helped her develop the experience and confidence needed for top-level competition.
Ailín Luciana Pérez Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Ailín Luciana Pérez’s parents and immediate family is limited. She has spoken in interviews about growing up in Zárate and beginning her martial arts training at 11, but details about her parents’ professions or family background are not widely documented.
Personal Life
Ailín Luciana Pérez is a single mother and has a son, who was born in 2016. Her residence is based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she trains at The Goat Shed. Outside of fighting, she has pursued modeling work, including the creation of an OnlyFans account, which has become a notable part of her public persona. Her personal life and identity as a mother have been referenced in her media appearances and post-fight interviews.
2025 Season Performance
Ailín Luciana Pérez’s 2025 season was defined by her continued ascent in the UFC women’s bantamweight rankings. Following her January 2025 victory over Karol Rosa at UFC 311, she solidified her standing as one of the division’s most consistent winners. Her training camp at The Goat Shed in Buenos Aires, alongside her team, allowed her to enter each fight with a measured game plan built around her striking and submission skills.
By the end of 2025, Pérez had established herself firmly inside the top ten of the women’s bantamweight rankings, a significant rise considering her 2022 debut loss. Her combination of knockout power, decision-making experience, and submission skills made her a difficult matchup for most contenders in the division. The momentum from her 2025 campaign carried into her February 2026 win over Macy Chiasson, extending her streak of victories on the global stage.
Looking ahead, Pérez’s position in the rankings and her continued development suggest she will remain a fixture in marquee UFC bantamweight matchups. With her blend of experience, finishing ability, and growing fan base, she is well-positioned to pursue a title shot as she continues her climb up the division.
