The UFC’s official rankings are sometimes unfairly criticized. But what transpired following UFC 311 earlier this month, is objectively bizarre and head-scratching.
Somehow, rising contender Ailin Perez ended up ranked below Karol Rosa despite defeating her in a clear, unanimous decision win in the preliminary portion of the card. But what perhaps is most bizarre, is that Rosa moved up in the rankings even in defeat.
Perez (12-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC), who’s on a five-fight winning streak, went from No. 13 to No. 11, while Rosa (18-7 MMA, 7-4 UFC), who’s 2-3 in her past five bouts, went from No. 9 to No. 8. It’s worth noting that the rankings were impacted by Holly Holm’s exit from the promotion this month.
“I laughed my ass off,” Perez told Hablemos MMA in Spanish when asked about her reaction to the rankings. “I laughed a lot, but I see it as a positive sign because look at the level of fame I’m having after all my fights, and I’m ranked 11th. I’m not even in the top 10.
“It doesn’t matter if I’m the one that’s deserving to move up in rankings and not Karol. If I get called to fight against a top five, I’m saying yes. I showed in the fight that I’m game for higher competition. I’m motivated, and I’m looking forward to getting a higher ranked rival than Karol. I don’t know if I can get someone that will kick harder than her, but definitely I can get someone with more techniques that challenge me.”
After losing in her UFC debut, which took place at 145 pounds, Perez dropped to bantamweight and has won five in a row. The in-cage success has accompanied high notoriety outside of it, given her bold comments and altercations with Joselyne Edwards and Tracy Cortez.
“I’m not really bothered that they didn’t put me in the top 10,” Perez explained. “People know who Ailin Perez is, and they know what I want – that’s all I care about.
“If they give me No. 6 or No. 10 or No. 1, I’m treating them all the same. I don’t care about numbers, I’m coming after everyone. I showed that I have striking in this fight, so watch out for Ailin ‘Nurmagomedov.'”
