Saturday night features a clash between top-five women’s bantamweights, as Norma Dumont faces Ailin Perez in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night: Rosas Jr. vs. Barcelos inside the Meta APEX.
Dumont (13–3, 9–3 UFC) is coming off a unanimous-decision loss to Joselyne Edwards in April, which snapped a six-fight winning streak. Perez (13–2, 6–1 UFC) has won six straight since dropping to bantamweight, a torrid run punctuated by a unanimous-decision victory over Macy Chiasson in February.
Perez enters as a -142 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook. Dumont is a +120 underdog, with the fight total set at O/U 2.5 rounds.
Norma Dumont vs. Ailin Perez Fight Preview
Norma Dumont (#4)
- 13–3 (9–3 UFC)
- 0–1 (T)KO
- 2–0 SUB
Norma Dumont is looking to rebound from her first loss since 2022, when she got outpointed earlier this year by fellow promotional linchpin Joselyne Edwards. It was the Brazilian’s first defeat since moving down to bantamweight; she’s now 3–1 at the division.
“The Immortal,” 35, has sound offensive grappling but prefers to keep things standing, where she can employ her crisp, albeit impotent, striking. But although she has posted a solid 71 percent takedown defense inside the Octagon, she has shown vulnerability against elite grapplers in the past — and may struggle again on Saturday night. Back in 2022, Dumont got taken down six times by Macy Chiasson, who got taken down six times by Ailin Perez earlier this year.
Ailin Perez (#5)
- 13–2 (6–1 UFC)
- 4–0 (T)KO
- 2–1 SUB
Ailin Perez has looked unstoppable since moving down to bantamweight following her promotional debut. The Argentinian contender is a perfect 6–0 at 135 pounds with victories against Joselyne Edwards and Macy Chiasson — both of whom hold wins over Norma Dumont.
“Fiona,” 31, is known for her suffocating grappling, averaging nearly five takedowns per 15 minutes and piling up significant control time in almost every fight. Although she won’t be completely outmatched on the feet against Dumont, Perez will likely implement her time-tested game plan of getting to the ground on Saturday night.
Norma Dumont vs. Ailin Perez Pick, Best Bet
While Ailin Perez enters Saturday’s co-main event on a six-fight winning streak, it’s worth noting that Norma Dumont had also won six in a row before her last fight. That said, Dumont’s surge was sandwiched between losses to opponents who Perez has already defeated.
Perez’s dominant ground game should be the difference-maker here, allowing her to blanket the formidable striker and pile up control time. A finish seems incredibly unlikely, as Dumont and Perez have a combined one stoppage win inside the Octagon. Regardless, Perez has a much clearer pathway to victory in Las Vegas.
