Carlos Prates

We already knew how potent Prates’ offense was, but we didn’t know it was this dangerous against the top of the welterweight division. It took someone with elite defense like Ian Machado Garry to stifle him, and even the Irishman got a taste of the “The Nightmare” in the final frame of their bout. The Brazilian completely steamrolled Jack Della Maddalen en route to a 3^rd-round mercy stoppage from the referee. In most cases, this would make Prates the next title contender, but it would be a bit ridiculous to make him the next challenger considering his loss to Machado Garry. One thing is sure, though, his next fight should be for the welterweight title.

Prates’ next fight: Title shot

Quillan Salkilld

Not to take away from young Sakilld’s first-round finish, but it’s difficult to know exactly what we learned from this victory since it appears that Beneil Dariush’s punch resistance is completely gone, which means Salkilld was always going to win if he could connect just one punch on Dariush. What we do know is that this win will push the Australian inside the lightweight rankings, where he will be surrounded by sharks. Nobody seems to want to fight Mateusz Gamrot as he is a very unenviable opponent for several reasons. If Salkilld is game for it, I don’t see why the UFC wouldn’t make this fight next.

Salkilld’s next fight: Mateusz Gamrot

Steve Erceg

After dropping three fights in a row, “Astroboy” now finds himself on a win streak. An encouraging sign, as this win over Tim Elliott was more convincing than the previous one against Ode’ Osbourne. After fighting three killers in Alexandre Pantoja, Kai Kara-France and Brandon Moreno consecutively, going back to the Ode’ Osbournes and Tim Elliotts of the world was the right call. Having now won both of those fights, I think Erceg can start to look up the rankings once more. Someone like Amir Albazi makes a ton of sense, considering where both fighters are at.

Erceg’s next fight: Amir Albazi

Marwan Rahiki

Rahiki offered himself an early birthday gift as he scored his second UFC win before turning 24 next week. He made quick short of Ollie Schmid, who came in on very short notice. At such a young age, there is no reason the UFC should rush Rahiki up the featherweight ladder. Let him keep sharpening up his skills for next couple of fights before thinking of a big increase in competition. A reasonable increase in competition would be a name like John Yannis, who is 1-1 in the promotion, but coming off a 1^st-round KO victory just two weeks ago.

Rahiki’s next fight: John Yannis

Brando Pericic

A 31-year-old heavyweight who is now 3-0 with three finishes will enter the top15. Pericic has proven to be a bright spot in a division that has very few of them. Unfortuantely, if you want to climb the heavyweight ladder as an exciting puncher, you’re going to need to get passed some less than favourable matchups in terms of fan-friendly action. Someone like Tyrell Fortune would test Pericic in ways he hasn’t been, thus far, while also providing a potential launchpad to the top10.

Pericic’s next fight: Tyrell Fortune

Louie Sutherland

Nice of Louie Sutherland to get his first victory in the UFC, but what can you say about Tai Tuivasa, at this point? This isn’t Curtis Blaydes and Josh Hokit; this is the version of heavyweight that fans are hoping gets filtered out. In the meantime, give Sutherland anyone who’s willing to stand and bang with him. Someone like Steven Asplund, who nearly beat Vitor Petrino his last time out, should be a fine option.

Sutherland’s next fight: Steven Asplund

The post What’s Next: UFC Perth Winners appeared first on Cageside Press.

When the dust had settled, a somewhat shocking turn of events had played out in the night’s main event, as Carlos Prates put away former welterweight champion and Perth local Jack Della Maddalena in violent fashion, working him over with leg kicks then sealing the deal with elbows.

Prates, who a year ago was seen losing a decision to Ian Machado Garry, a possible next in line for Islam Makhachev, has now won three straight. The last two have come against former champions, all three have ended inside the distance, and all three have now won Performance of the Night bonuses.

The second Performance of the Night bonus at UFC Perth went to the card’s co-headliner Quillan Salkilld, who finished Beneil Dariush via TKO inside of a round. Australian lightweight Salkilld is now 5-0 under the UFC banner, with four Performance of the Night bonuses in that span.

Fight of the Night, meanwhile, went to Brando Pericic vs. Shamil Gaziev. Continuing something of a resurgence for the heavyweight division of late, the pair engaged in a spirited battle until “Balkan Bear” Pericic landed the knockout blow in the second round. That marks three wins in three fights inside the UFC octagon for Pericic, who arrived in the UFC last September.

All four bonus-winners pocket $100,000 U.S. for their efforts. All other finishers collect $25,000. Those are Marwan Rahiki, Junior Tafa, Wes Schultz, and Kody Steele.

The post Main, Co-Main Event at UFC Perth Snag Bonuses appeared first on Cageside Press.

2-0 in the UFC entering the fight, Pericic was fighting for the third time well inside 12 months and hoping to book a fourth date inside that mark. Gaziev, fighting for the first time in 2026, was looking to shake off a loss to Waldo Cortes-Acosta.

The big boys met in the middle of the Octagon to set off the second fight of the main card, with the fans hoping for fireworks after a lackluster Tuivasa vs. Sutherland. Pericic found success first, landing a low kick on the outside leg of Gaziev. Quickly, though, the two were trading in the pocket, with Shamil Gaziev clipping Pericic before bringing him down to the ground for his first takedown.

Back to his feet, Pericic was still caught in the grasp of the No. 14-ranked heavyweight in the world, Shamil Gaziev, who let go with a number of clinch strikes before the referee broke them up. With the two back in striking range, Brando Pericic started unloading countless power shots, wobbling Gaziev back to the cage. Gaziev continued to survive, throwing power right back in the face of Pericic, as both men absolutely slugged it out for the remainder of the first round. It was a difficult round to score, as each had their moments, but Pericic’s shots seemed to have a much bigger impact.

Round two was a continued throwdown from round one, with the heavyweights showing little regard for striking defense. Pericic started to take the lead in numbers, with his speed giving him a clear advantage on the feet. After stringing a few straights together, the “Balkan Bear” hurt Gaziev, finishing him off with a power right hand that crumbled the ranked heavyweight to the ground.

Brando Pericic moved to 7-1, earning his third straight knockout in three UFC appearances. Likely to have a number next to his name soon, Pericic called for a spot at UFC Serbia later this year.

Official Results: Brando Pericic def. Shamil Gaziev via R2 KO, 3:44

The post Brando Pericic Stuns Gaziev, Earns Third Straight UFC Knockout appeared first on Cageside Press.

It’s a steady uphill trajectory for a fighter who has suggested he could fight for the heavyweight title this year.

“December. December. Give me three more fights, and I’ll be ready,” he stated.

For a heavyweight, Pericic has been fighting at a breakneck pace. Should he land one more fight prior to September, that will be four in twelve months. He already has his sights set on an August card in Belgrade, Serbia.

“I’m ready to go. I want to get this one done like I got the last one done. I heard the UFC is going to Serbia, and I would love to fight in Serbia,” he exclaimed. “You can’t have a card in Serbia and not have the Balkan Bear on there brother. It should be a sin.”

“The Balkan Bear” Pericic is another product of City Kickboxing, and he bristled at the suggestion that the likes of Dan Hooker and Israel Adesanya are reaching retirement age.

“Bullsh*t. Bullsh*t. That’s what you think. That’s not the case. Dan Hooker’s going to fight til he’s 50, what are you talking about? You think you’re going to get me out before f*cking 40? You’re dreaming, cuz. I’m going to fight til I’m 50.”

Watch the full UFC Perth media day appearance by Brando Pericic above.

The post UFC Perth: Brando Pericic Calls BS on Suggestion City Kickboxing Stars Are Nearing Retirement Age appeared first on Cageside Press.

Sutherland (10-4) made his UFC debut against Valter Walker at UFC 321, where he suffered a submission loss. Now looking to rebound, he returned home to London aiming to get back on track against Pericic.

Pericic (5-1) made his own UFC debut in Perth, Australia last September, stopping Elisha Ellison via first-round TKO. While the performance was impressive, it didn’t generate much buzz in the heavyweight division, leaving him to further announce his arrival at UFC London.

Sutherland started out fast coming out with an overhand right that landed clean, following it up with a takedown attempt. Pericic worked back to his feet, and began throwing bombs with Sutherland. A big knee from the clinch by Pericic hurt Sutherland and forced him to cover up. Pericic swarmed on Sutherland looking to finish the fight with a brutal flurry of punches. Sutherland did all he could to survive but was stopped by TKO after he fell to the ground and ate a few more punches. “The Balkan Bear” got his second knockout win in a row with this impressive performance.

Pericic said that he knew Sutherland would come out “fast” and showed respect to his opponent. Calling out the entire division, Pericic wants a spot on the next UFC Perth card. He then pledged his bonus to one lucky fan following him, saying he was expecting a 100K Performance bonus for the win. How much of the bonus he was putting up for grabs wasn’t clear.

Official Result: Brando Peričić def. Louie Sutherland by TKO, Round 1, 1:48

The post UFC London: Brando Pericic Puts Away Louie Sutherland, Pledges Bonus to Fan appeared first on Cageside Press.

If you count New Zealand’s Carlos Ulberg (let’s just call it Team Oceania), then all four bonuses winners on the much-maligned Fight Night card were local favorites. The event, which struggled to sell tickets, still produced some solid action, especially in the main and co-main events.

All four bonuses awarded were of the Performance of the Night variety. No Fight of the Night was handed out at UFC Perth.

In the co-headliner, Australia’s Jimmy Crute earned his second straight win, with what was announced as a rear-naked choke against Ivan Erslan. In reality, Crute appeared to catch the KSW veteran in something more akin to a Camel Clutch, cranking until Erslan was forced to tap.

There was no tap from Dominick Cruz in the main event – he was knocked out cold by Carlos Ulberg, who dropped him with a 1-2 then followed up with a few ground strikes. Ulberg, a City Kickboxing star known as “Black Jag,” has now won nine straight in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. It’s hard to envision a world where Ulberg doesn’t fight for gold next, though Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira 2 has to happen first.

The remaining two bonus winners at UFC Perth were Tom Nolan and Brando Pericic, both Australians. Pericic was making his promotional debut, and put away Elisha Ellison with some heavy punches from the top, blows that left Ellison down and out for some time.

After the bout, Pericic revealed that he had taken a $100,000 loan to pursue fighting in the UFC, and called for a bonus to help pay it off. Wish granted.

All four bonuses winners pick up the usual $50,000 U.S. on top of their purse (usual, that is, until the Paramount+ deal kicks in next year).

The post UFC Perth: Australian, New Zealand Stars Collect Four Bonuses appeared first on Cageside Press.

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

The post Brando Pericic Smashes Elisha Ellison, Reveals He Took 100K Loan to Compete in UFC appeared first on Cageside Press.

Brando “The Balkan Bear” Pericic
Standing at fix-foot-five
Fighting at 265 lbs (heavyweight)
31-years-old
Fighting out of South Australia, Australia
Training out of City Kickboxing
A pro record of 4-1
3 KO/TKOs, 1 Submission

No surprise to see Pericic signed to the UFC, representing City Kickboxing as a heavyweight. With a kickboxing background, he holds an 18-2 record and was a former IKBF/ISKA Super Heavyweight Champion.

That said, I’m not overly impressed with Pericic. Like many heavyweights, his primary threat is power on the feet, but beyond that, there’s little technical polish. He does his best work inside, throwing short elbows and knees, but his striking is generally sloppy: wild and unrefined, lacking setups or strategy. He simply “sends it” without much thought.

Pericic has some grappling in his arsenal, with a ground-and-pound stoppage and a submission win, but these came against lower-level opponents and don’t carry much weight. When it comes to takedown defense, his main response is to punch and elbow, but once taken down, he makes significant mistakes, errors he’s gotten away with so far only because of the limited athleticism of his past opponents.

Overall, I don’t see Pericic replicating his kickboxing success in MMA. He’s too limited, too raw, and lacks the conditioning to compete at a higher level.

The post Welcome to the UFC: Brando Pericic and Elisha Ellison appeared first on Cageside Press.