A pair of big men made their debuts opposite one another at UFC Perth, as Brando Pericic took on Elisha Ellison at heavyweight as part of the Fight Night event’s preliminary card.
Pericic had competed for the HEX Fight Series heavyweight title in the past, while Ellison was making the trip down under from the U.S., sporting a 5-1 record overall.
When the fight opened, Pericic went straight to work with heavy leg kicks, quickly finding his range. Ellison fired back with a barrage of punches, but Pericic turned the tide with a crushing overhand right that sent Ellison stumbling. Smelling the finish, Pericic swarmed with strikes as Ellison tried to survive. In a desperate move, Ellison pulled guard, but it proved costly: Pericic unloaded vicious ground-and-pound, putting the “Snack Panther” out cold.
It was violent, it was quick, and Ellison took some time to recover and get back to his feet, not event present for the result to be announced. After the win, Pericic revealed that he’d been sleeping in gyms over the years, and had taken out a $100,000 loan to compete in the UFC. Not surprisingly, he called for a bonus that would allow him to pay off half that debt (though after taxes, probably not half).
Official Result: Brando Pericic def. Elisha Ellison by knockout (ground and pound), Round 1, 1:55
