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Pearl Gonzalez went from a no-name making her UFC debut to the talk of the town in a flash. After making weight by a slim margin, Gonzalez was informed by the New York State Athletic Commission she was being removed from the UFC 210 card because of her breast implants, but wasn’t given much information beyond that.


“They just said breast implants were not allowed in this state,” Gonzalez said via MMAFighting.com. “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.”  

Then, just before the ceremonial weigh ins, Gonzalez was informed she was back on the card after providing medical information to the commission.

It was one of the more bizarre scenes in professional sports, but something that Gonzalez, 30, is hoping can be a launching point for her career.

“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.

“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.”

Now, she will have to refocus for a difficult opponent in Cynthia Calvillo, who brings a 4-0 record and an incredible wrestling game to the Octagon. She’s a sizable underdog to Calvillo (+210). She’s also 6-1 in her professional career and won her last six in a row with four stoppages.