UFC 311: Ailin Perez Earns Fifth Straight Win, Beats Karol Rosa

Karol Rosa and Ailin Perez, UFC 311
Karol Rosa and Ailin Perez, UFC 311 ceremonial weigh-in Credit: Gabriel Gonzalez/Cageside Press

The lone women’s fight on the UFC 311 card saw bantamweights Karol Rosa and Ailin Perez collide on Saturday’s early prelims.

Rosa made the inspired choice of walking out to Metallica’s For Whom the Bell Tolls, unfortunately for her, it wasn’t Perez the bell was tolling for.

Perez went after a bodylock early, which Rosa fought off. A second takedown attempt by Perez was successful, however, with the Argentinian changing levels and powering through, planting Rosa on her back. Perez had plenty of time on top, and neither fighter seemed to show much in the way of urgency. Perez eventually stepped over and passed into half-guard, improving her position then threatening to mount. Instead, she was pushed back by an upkick; Perez allowed Rosa back up after that.

With slightly under two minutes left in the opening round, Rosa landed a low kick. Another kick followed, which Perez threatened to catch. With just sixty seconds on the clock, Perez fired a spinning back fist. They’d finish out the round with Perez clearly taking it.

Round two opened with a blow blow on Ailin Perez, leading to a brief pause. From there, the pair engaged in some back-and-forth action on the feet. Perez again added in a spinning back fist. Rosa walked Perez down, firing her 1-2. Perez answered with kicks to the body. Rosa appeared to be finishing her groove, but Ailin Perez would finally get a takedown with about two minutes to go, latching on to a leg and putting Rosa on her back. She would finish the round out there, potentially stealing it back after a strong start by Karol Rosa.

Rosa connected with a low kick to open the third and final round, with Perez changing stances in response. Perez mixed in high kicks and targeted the body, holding her own against a solid striker in Rosa. When they tied up against the fence, Perez was in the driver’s seat. They’re break, giving Rosa a bit of time to get back in it, but Perez continued to stay right there in the striking battle. Another spinning attack landed for Perez. She touched the inside of the leg with a kick; Rosa landed back with a harder outside leg kick.

No finish to be found, Ailin Perez and Karol Rosa would go the distance, the fourth straight fight to start UFC 311 to do so.

Official Result: Ailin Perez def. Karol Rosa by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)