THE BACKBREAKERS AND BITES PODCAST – EPISODE 24
Ailin “Fiona” Perez
In this Episode Of The Podcast:
“The princess Fiona is the princess of Shrek, who by day is one person and by night is another. In my life, I am a lady, very fine, but on the day of the fight, I transform into an ogre.”
In this unfiltered installment of Backbreakers and Bites, we sit down with UFC Bantamweight contender Ailin “Fiona” Perez at Fiorito in Little Haiti, Miami. Ailin takes us through her journey from traditional Kung Fu at age 11 to becoming the #7 ranked fighter in the world. She pulls no punches while discussing her shoulder recovery, her “OnlyFans” strategy, and why she believes she’s the only one capable of truly challenging legends like Valentina Shevchenko. Between bites of authentic Argentinian empanadas, Ailin proves why she is the master of her own rules, both inside and outside the Octagon.
Contents
Show Notes and Highlights
About the Restaurant
Episode Extras
Featured Links
Show Notes and Highlights
Key Topics and Discussions
Kung Fu & Sanda Roots: Ailin reveals her background in traditional Kung Fu and Sanda (Chinese kickboxing). She shares how training with her brothers from age 11 gave her the confidence to hit hard and compete against older women in Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil.
The Injury & Recovery: A deep dive into Ailin’s current shoulder injury. She details her monthly rehabilitation trips to the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas and the “red light therapy” and physical manipulation she’s using to get back into the cage by September or November.
Gym Wars: Ailin discusses the “envy” she faced in previous training camps where partners tried to injure her during sparring. She explains why she moved to Goat Shed under her new head coach and how the evolution in her training has led to five straight victories.
The Business of “OnlyFans”: A raw and honest conversation about her content strategy. Ailin explains how a broken eye in a previous fight led to a surge in followers and why she treats the platform as a tool to secure her future, even while her ultimate goal remains the UFC belt.
Featured Segment: The World Title Ambition
Taking on the Best: Ailin addresses the bantamweight division, calling out Irene Aldana and expressing her desire to eventually challenge Valentina Shevchenko. She explains that while Shevchenko is the best in history, she is the only person Ailin would ever consider dropping weight to fight, fueled by a desire to prove her “heart is stronger than any strength.”
About Fiorito
A true Little Haiti gem, Fiorito is a love letter to Argentinian culture and soccer legend Diego Maradona. Ailin chose this spot for its “meat of the world” and typical Argentinian comforts. We feasted on Beef Empanadas, Short Rib Ravioli with a rich cheese sauce, and finished with a traditional Cortadito. For Ailin, the Sunday “Asado” tradition is sacred, and Fiorito captures that family-focused, high-flavor vibe perfectly.