Pearl Gonzalez expected to make waves at UFC 210, but not like this.
The strawweight, who meets undefeated prospect Cynthia Calvillo on Saturday night in Buffalo, seemed all set after successfully weighing in.
Then she was informed by the New York State Athletic Commission that the fight was off due to a rule against breast implants, something which came as news to Gonzalez.
“They just said breast implants were not allowed in this state,” Gonzalez told MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helawni. “And I was a little, you know, appalled and I said ‘okay, can I talk to my team?’ and the commissioner said ‘yes,’ and I walked out of the room and that was that.”
The idea that Gonzalez wouldn’t be allowed to fight came as a particular surprise because Gonzalez had disclosed the surgery for her implants in her official paperwork, and heard nothing from the commission at the time.
“I’ve never heard of such a thing,” Gonzalez said. “I’ve put it in my paperwork, I’ve never lied about it, which is when they asked me if I had a surgery, I told them.”
Eventually, cooler heads prevailed. The fight was reinstated, and Gonzalez will get her chance to show the world what she can do.
“I don’t think I wanted the world to know about my surgery and to be talked about like this,” Gonzalez said. “I have worked very hard to show how talented I am. I have a lot to bring to this division. And that’s what I would like to be known for.”
And should Gonzalez (6-1) — a San Diego Combat Academy fighter who trains alongside the likes of Liz Carmouche and Ilima MacFarlane — score the victory, then Friday’s goings-on will only serve to make her a bigger name than ever before.
“All media is good media,” Gonzalez said. “So I’m going to ride this wave, and if this helps get me name out there, I’m going to ride it. I’m gonna win tomorrow night. I’m going to show the world not only do I have breast implants, but I’m a talented fighter.”