On February 28, 2026, at UFC Mexico City, Ailin Perez secured her sixth straight bantamweight win, further establishing herself in the 135-pound division. After a challenging 15-minute battle against Macy Chiasson, a former The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 28 winner, Perez wasted no time in issuing a callout to flyweight fighter Tracy Cortez, igniting controversy within the UFC community. The focus of this tension lies in their ongoing rivalry and the significant weight class difference between them, raising questions about the practicality and intent behind Perez’s challenge.
Hard-Fought Victory Against Macy Chiasson Highlights Perez’s Growing Momentum
Perez’s fight with Macy Chiasson was a demanding contest that tested her resilience and skill. Chiasson brought formidable strength, attempting a leg lock early and transitioning to back control with elbows in the opening round. Despite this adversity, Perez found her footing, executing multiple takedowns and commanding control from the top. Her dominance in the later rounds edged the fight in her favor, earning unanimous decision scores of 29-28 across the board. This win consolidates Perez’s status as a rising bantamweight contender, a feat that few fighters manage given the division’s intense competition.
The Stark Division Divide Fuels Mixed Reactions to Perez’s Callout
Following her win, Perez turned her attention beyond her weight class, specifically targeting Tracy Cortez of the flyweight division, creating a stir among fans and analysts. The bantamweight and flyweight divisions are separated by a 10-pound difference — 135 pounds for bantamweight and 125 pounds for flyweight — an important barrier in MMA competition. Many fans debated whether Perez’s callout was a strategic move rooted in genuine rivalry or a distraction from climbing her own division’s ladder.
The comment,
“The bantamweight division has my name, but tonight, I’m looking for Tracy Cortez,”
delivered by Perez in her post-fight interview, served as a bold declaration that escalated the ongoing tension between the two fighters.
Rivalry History Between Perez and Cortez Adds Context to the Provocation
The tension between Ailin Perez and Tracy Cortez is not a recent development. Their feud has included social media exchanges and intense confrontations at past UFC events, making the rivalry a compelling subplot in women’s MMA. Perez previously advised Cortez to “make weight first” before engaging with her, a comment that inflamed their discord further. Cortez responded publicly with a defiant message during an Instagram Live session:
“If you’re gonna talk s—t, stand by it.”
Fan Responses Reveal Divided Opinions on the Weight Class Discrepancy
The MMA fanbase expressed a range of views following Perez’s remarks. Some support the rivalry angle, emphasizing that story-driven conflicts can overshadow weight class boundaries. One fan stated,
“Ailin Perez calls out Tracy Cortez for obvious reasons and don’t give me some bulls– like they’re not in the same division,”
underscoring how emotional stakes sometimes outweigh formal divisions in fans’ eyes.
On the other hand, purists questioned the logic behind targeting a competitor from a different class immediately after a significant win.
“Ailin Perez calls out Tracy Cortez… but did she forget they are in different divisions? Weird callout #UFCMexico,”
one fan remarked, echoing skepticism over strategic merit. This viewpoint highlights the expectation that Perez should focus on ascending the bantamweight rankings rather than chasing a flyweight opponent.
Many fans find themselves in the middle ground, acknowledging the genuine nature of the rivalry but questioning its future feasibility.
“I understand Ailin Perez calling out Tracy Cortez because of their past beef. But those girls aren’t even in the same weight class,”
shared another observer, reflecting the dilemma of whether a catchweight bout or a division shift is possible.
Criticism Intensifies Around Missed Opportunities for Perez’s Career Progression
Critics have grown increasingly vocal about the implications of Perez’s callout, arguing that it detracts from her momentum in the bantamweight division. One pointed fan wrote,
“Bantamweight Ailin Perez just won her fight and also won worst callout of the year as she calls for flyweight Tracy Cortez,”
conveying frustration at what seems like a missed chance to build solid title contention against ranked bantamweights.
Another social media user raised a practical question regarding the fight logistics:
“Ailin Perez calls out Tracy Cortez after beating Macy Chiasson at #UFCMexico, do you want to see that happen? They are in different divisions, who’ll move up or down?”
The challenge lies in Cortez possibly facing larger opponents if moving up to bantamweight or Perez undertaking a significant weight cut to compete at flyweight—both demanding physical and professional sacrifices.
Strategic Spotlight and the Role of Showmanship in Perez’s Approach
Ailin Perez’s controversial callout fits within a larger pattern of attention-drawing behavior that has helped build her profile in the UFC. Known for her expressive celebrations, including twerking post-victory, Perez understands how to keep herself in the public eye. Whether or not this controversy directly advances her path to a title shot, it guarantees media coverage and fan engagement.
Her confident statement that the “bantamweight division has my name” paired with her strong performance indicates a fighter determined to assert her presence. Yet by focusing on a rival from another weight class instead of climbing the bantamweight rankings, she risks alienating some fans and analysts who favor a more traditional competitive trajectory.
Future Prospects: Will the Perez-Cortez Rivalry Escalate Into a Fight?
The UFC and its fanbase await to see if this rivalry will culminate in a sanctioned bout. The challenges associated with bridging a 10-pound weight gap make negotiations complex. The tension between Perez and Cortez represents both a promotional opportunity and a sporting dilemma: should one fighter shift divisions, or could a catchweight contest resolve their feud?
For now, Ailin Perez continues to solidify her standing in the bantamweight class while her heated interactions with Tracy Cortez keep spectators intrigued. How this situation develops will impact both fighters’ careers and add yet another chapter to the ongoing conversations about divisions, rivalries, and career strategies within the UFC.
Ailin Perez calls out Tracy Cortez… but did she forget they are in different divisions? Weird callout #UFCMexico
— Adam Martin (@MMAdamMartin) March 1, 2026
