Norma Dumont, a rising star in the UFC’s bantamweight division, recently revealed that her husband — who was also her longtime coach — was caught cheating on her just three weeks before her high-profile fight against Irene Aldana at UFC 306. Despite the emotional turmoil and the end of her 14-year marriage, Dumont chose to keep him in her corner for the fight, prioritizing her career over personal turmoil.
In a candid interview with Ariel Helwani, Dumont opened up about the heartbreaking discovery that came just days before her pivotal bout.
“What happened was, I found out a little before the fight that he was cheating on me,” Dumont said. “So, we went through the whole thing and got a divorce. It was before the fight, matter of fact, about three weeks before the fight. This was a 14-year marriage. He was always my coach the entire time, but the fight was there, and there was no time to change corners. There would be no time to adapt to somebody new. We didn’t want to speak about it before the fight because we didn’t want that to overshadow the fight. The fight was really what was important.”
No Time for Change — Dumont’s Focus Remained on Winning
Despite the emotional distress, Dumont had no choice but to retain her ex-husband as her corner during the Aldana fight at UFC 306, which took place last September inside the Sphere in Las Vegas. Changing corners so close to the fight would have been too disruptive, and Dumont decided that maintaining stability for such a significant fight was the best course of action.
Dumont’s Dominant Performance at UFC 306
Showing resilience and unwavering focus, Dumont defeated Aldana by unanimous decision, propelling herself to No. 4 in the bantamweight rankings. Her victory was a testament to her strength, both mentally and physically, in the face of such adversity.
Top Contender, Yet Still Waiting for Title Shot
Dumont’s success inside the octagon, however, has not translated into an immediate title opportunity. The top of the bantamweight division remains in a state of flux while Julianna Pena prepares to defend her title against Kayla Harrison at UFC 316 on June 7, 2025, in Newark.
“I need to fight — I think a fighter needs to fight, right? We’ve been talking about this point with the organization for a while now,” Dumont explained. “I’m coming from a complicated situation with five victories, but it’s tough to get a belt fight here. I mean, we’re trying to get something, but it’s just the way the whole thing is set up, it’s really hard to get a fight there.”
Dumont: A Dangerous Opponent Many Avoid
Dumont believes her well-rounded skill set is a key reason why she isn’t being prioritized for a title shot. Her ability to excel in striking, grappling, and endurance makes her a difficult challenge that many fighters prefer to avoid.
“The reality is that I’m not the first option for any of them,” Dumont admitted. “Really, I think with the options we have in the Top 5, I’d be the most difficult athlete to face because I have skills on the feet, I have skills on the ground, I’m a strong athlete, I have cardio. So, I think the degree of difficulty causes them to look for easier matchups.”
What’s Next for Dumont?
With her position in the Top 5 secured and five consecutive victories under her belt, Dumont remains one of the most dangerous threats in the bantamweight division. Despite the personal challenges she has endured, Dumont’s focus remains on her ultimate goal — securing a title shot and proving her dominance inside the octagon.