Brazilian strawweight and UFC star Polyana Viana says she’d like to do cosplay walkouts but the UFC won’t allow it.

Polyana Viana returns to the octagon this weekend for UFC on ESPN 51, where she’ll face off against Iasmin Lucindo at Las Vegas’ UFC Apex. The bout’s set for Saturday, August 12, and will be aired on ESPN and the streaming service ESPN+.

In addition to her prowess at mixed martial arts, Viana is also well known for cosplaying some of her favorite anime characters. Every so often, the strawweight shares photos of these cosplay endeavors on Instagram, one of which shows her decked out in garb inspired by Naruto’s Konan.

While Viana would like to see the two worlds collide, she recently revealed that UFC has strict rules when it comes to walkouts.

UFC star says cosplay walkouts are prohibited

When asked by MMA Junkie if she’d consider walking out wearing cosplay if it was allowed, Viana revealed that she’s actually asked to do so several times in the past.

Viana told the reporter through an interpreter,

“I’ve tried so many times, and I’ve actually asked to come in with a bandana. They’ve never allowed it. I wanted a cape… I’ve tried with like a blank bandana. I can’t. Apparently, Naruto is a brand that does not allow it or something like that. I’ve tried so many times. I’ve asked. They never let me do it, but if I could, definitely I would.”

The brief anime discussion begins around the 4:25 timestamp in the video linked below (via MMA Junkie):

It’s unfortunate that the organization’s rules prevent the UFC star from living out her anime cosplay dreams. But she’d probably be at home in the wrestling world, given how often WWE and AEW fighters dress up as their favorite pop culture characters.

Jade Cargill famously dressed up as She-Hulk for AEW All Out 2022. Cargill’s also known for entering the arena in attire inspired by Jade from Mortal Kombat. And WWE’s Tommaso Ciampa brought Kratos to the ring for Halloween a couple of years ago.

A cosplayer in Toronto was handcuffed and detained after walking through a park for a cosplay event with a replica rifle.

Toronto was hosting its first Anime Connects Cherry Blossom Picnic at Trinity-Bellwoods Park on May 3, with many cosplayers showing up for the event.

Things got out of hand quickly, however, when a man dressed as a mercenary from the S.T.A.L.K.E.R series showed up in full tactical gear and a replica rifle.

Footage quickly went viral, with numerous police showing up and their sirens blaring after receiving calls that someone was roaming the area with a firearm.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R cosplayer sparks panic in Toronto park

Video shared by journalist Caryma Sa’d and others showed the police approaching the cosplayer, who quickly surrendered and cooperated.

After being told to get on his knees, the cops took the man to the ground, handcuffed him, and escorted him to a police cruiser.

According to people in the park, the cosplayer had been warned not to carry a replica rifle, but ignored their concerns. Still, many voiced displeasure with the overwhelming police presence.

“Poor guy,” one said. “This is insane. All for a friggin’ costume.”

Luckily, the authorities were understanding and the man was released without charges, even shaking hands with the police sergeant in the aftermath.

Speaking to the Toronto Sun, the cosplayer said, “I have been cosplaying in Toronto with similar setups for five years with absolutely no issues, so you can see why I felt comfortable coming out to the event. I’ve even gone to similar events in that exact park in the past.”

“There were other cosplayers with life-like weapons and equipment too, so it is not out of the ordinary, and there were some present that day aside from myself.”

The cosplayer further noted that while he typically has bright orange tape on his weapons, he momentarily took it off for a picture, and that’s when the police arrived.

Cosplays have caused major police reactions before. Last August, a 16-year-old Resident Evil cosplayer in the UK was taken in by police after being mistaken for a criminal due to carrying an imitation firearm.

Across the globe in Australia, officers in Melbourne rushed to a shopping center after reports of a knife-wielding man turned out to be a Demon Slayer fan in cosplay.