Women's bantamweight contenders Norma Dumont and Ailin Perez are slated to compete at UFC Fight Night 289, also known as UFC Vegas 121, on Saturday, September 26, 2026. The event is scheduled to take place at the Meta Apex in Enterprise, Nevada. The matchup has garnered considerable attention from various sports outlets, with headlines from the York Daily Record, Action Network, MMA Junkie, and Yahoo Sports all offering predictions and odds for the contest.
A Brewing Rivalry
The bout between Dumont and Perez has been characterized by a developing rivalry that has unfolded over the past two years. ESPN Knockout commentator Gaston Reyno initially announced the matchup on social media, a detail later confirmed by Perez herself on Instagram. According to Yardbarker, Perez has actively pursued this fight for an extended period, dating back to her decision victory over Joselyne Edwards in June 2024. Dumont, in turn, has stated that the fight was offered to Perez multiple times in the past, with Perez allegedly declining the opportunities.
Speaking to UFC.com, Dumont expressed her satisfaction that the fight is finally happening. "I was very happy [to get this fight]," Dumont stated. "It's been four years coming, and finally, I get my chance to beat her up and still make money." She further explained that the animosity began when Perez entered the UFC and claimed there were no women willing to fight her. Perez views the upcoming clash as a pivotal moment for her career, telling UFC.com that she believes it will determine the number one contender for the bantamweight title.
Norma Dumont's Recent Form
Norma Dumont, currently ranked #4 in the UFC women's bantamweight division, brings a UFC record of 9-3-0 from her twelve fights in the promotion. The 35-year-old orthodox fighter stands 5 feet 7 inches tall with a 67-inch reach. Before her most recent outing, Dumont was on a six-fight UFC win streak. Her last fight, in April 2026 at UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal, resulted in a unanimous decision loss to Joselyne Edwards, where the pre-fight market had Dumont favored at 64% to win. Prior to that, she secured a split decision victory over Ketlen Vieira in November 2025 and unanimous decision wins against Irene Aldana in September 2024 and Germaine de Randamie in April 2024. Dumont has demonstrated a takedown accuracy of 66%, averaging 1.5 takedowns per fight, complemented by an 81% takedown defense rate.
Ailin Perez's Momentum
Ailin Perez, ranked #5 in the women's bantamweight division, holds a UFC record of 6-1-0 across her seven UFC appearances. The 31-year-old switch-stance fighter measures 5 feet 5 inches in height with a 66-inch reach. Perez enters this fight on a five-fight UFC win streak. Her most recent victory came in February 2026 at UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Kavanagh, where she defeated Macy Chiasson by unanimous decision, with the pre-fight market favoring Perez at 62% to win. Before that, she earned a unanimous decision over Karol Rosa in January 2025 and secured a submission victory against Daria Zhelezniakova in the first round in September 2024. Perez averages 3.8 takedowns per fight with a 42% accuracy, while maintaining a 57% takedown defense.
Divisional Implications
Despite both fighters holding top-five rankings in the women's bantamweight division, their clash is scheduled for the preliminary card of UFC Fight Night 289. UFCalendar highlighted this placement, noting that the fight between the #4 and #5 ranked contenders could directly lead to a title shot for the winner. The outcome of this bout is expected to significantly impact the landscape of the women's bantamweight division as both Dumont and Perez aim to solidify their positions for future championship opportunities.
By the numbers
| Fighter | UFC record | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Norma Dumont | 9-3-0 | Women Bantamweight #4 |
| Ailin Perez | 6-1-0 | Women Bantamweight #5 |
UFC records count UFC fights only. Records and rankings from UFC Stats and ufc.com.
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