UFC 210's Pearl Gonzalez: I'm going to show the world not only do I have breast implants, but I am a talented fighter

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Suddenly thrust into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, octagon newcomer Pearl Gonzalez tried to take the events of her first UFC weigh-in experience in stride.

After her breast implants caused her to be removed and then reinstalled from Saturday’s UFC 210, Gonzalez said she’ll try to put the attention to good use.

“I don’t think I wanted the world to know about my surgery and to be talked about like this,” she said at a press conference just a few hours removed from her issue with the New York State Athletic Commission, which regulates the pay-per-view event at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y. “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, so I’m going to ride this wave, and if this makes my fight bigger and gets my name out there, I’m going to ride it. I’m going to win tomorrow night, and I’m going to show the world that not only do I have breast implants, but I am a talented fighter.”

Gonzalez (6-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC), who trains with the San Diego Combat Academy, is now set to face the undefeated Cynthia Calvillo (4-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) on the event’s pay-per-view main card. But her debut was briefly put in jeopardy after she weighed in at 116 pounds for the bout.

“As I was finishing up my medical clearance after my weigh-in, the commission told me I would not fight,” said Gonzalez. “I think at that moment I was little upset, but then I took a couple minutes, I regrouped myself, I came out and talked to my team. I looked at my team and said, ‘There’s no way this is off. I’m fighting. Let’s stay focused, let’s stay positive. We’re fighting tomorrow night.'”

The UFC never officially canceled the bout, though several people told MMAjunkie that Gonzalez’s breast implants prompted the commission to scratch her participation in the event. A spokesperson for the New York State Athletic Commission later claimed that wasn’t the case, stating officials only elected to conduct a review of Gonzalez’s situation, despite the fact that NYSAC’s medical guidelines explicitly prohibit breast implants for boxers.

UFC President Dana White derided reports of the bout’s cancelation, tweeting, “STOP listening to web sites and whoever. If u don’t hear it from us it’s probably not true. THIS FIGHT IS ON!!!!”

Gonzalez said she deferred to the UFC to get the bout reinstated after being informed the bout was off. Asked how she felt about being kept out of the octagon, she chose to focus on the positive outcome.

“I do (think it shouldn’t be a topic of discussion),” she said. “At the end of the day it’s out, there’s nothing I can do about it. I’m not going to dwell on this. I’m going to stay focused on my win tomorrow night, and that’s it.”

“They just said that breast implants were not allowed in this state. I was a little appalled and I said, ‘Can I talk to my team?’ The commissioner said, ‘Yes,’ and I walked out of the room and that was that.

“I’ve never heard of such a thing. I put it in my (medical) paperwork. I’ve never lied about it, which is when they asked me if I’ve had a surgery, I told them. Yeah, I was surprised, but there’s nothing that I can do about it. I’m just riding my wave, enjoying this.”

One part of her debut experience was anything but pleasant, and yet Gonzalez is determined not to let it sink her first impression in the UFC.

“Since then I haven’t really focused on the media,” she said. “I’m preparing for my win tomorrow night.”

For more on UFC 210, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.