UFC Perth sees the promotion return Down Under to showcase a number of up-and-coming talents ready to break out on the big stage.
With the event headlined by a top-of-the-rankings Light Heavyweight clash between Carlos Ulberg and Dominick Reyes, the card guarantees action from the main event downwards.
However, it is the fighters on the undercard that may impress you. They are ready to break out and make a name for themselves as the UFC aims to break more records in Australia.
Ahead of UFC Perth, here are some of the top fighters who could be breakout stars at the event, including an Australian looking to get his UFC career back on track.
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Jack Jenkins could break out and end his bad run of form in the UFC
Jack Jenkins fighting in his home country in front of a rabid Aussie crowd could be exactly what the young fighter needs in order to get back on track and really kick off his career in the UFC.
Since earning his UFC deal with a KO victory on Dana White’s Contender Series, Jenkins has found it hard to build up momentum, going 3-2 in the octagon.
He showed glimpses of what he could do when he knocked down Herbert Burns with a right hook before picking up the win with a ground-and-pound at UFC 305, indicating that he has the talent to succeed but is missing something.
Jenkins could find that something on September 27. Ramon Taveras is in a similar boat to him, but does not have the benefit of a hometown crowd getting behind him to cheer him on.
A decision loss to Davey Grant in his last fight, back in 2024, shows that Taveras is vulnerable, and this bout could be a sleeper hit for the Fight of the Night if the 13-4 Jenkins, who has 9 finishes already in his career, gets back on top form at UFC Perth.
As a stand-up fighter, he could be one of the best. While his ground game needs work, if he can turn this fight into a brawl, it’ll be lights out for The Savage.
Tom Nolan can win four in a row to establish himself as a UFC Lightweight prospect
Another Australian star poised to impress is Tom Nolan, the six-foot-three Lightweight could cause real problems in the division.
His immense height and reach for 155 lbs give him an innate advantage over his opponents, which he has used to great effect in his career so far, losing just one of his nine professional fights.
He showed incredible power when he landed a brutal knockout on Dana White’s Contender Series, showcasing how dangerous Nolan can be in the octagon.
“Big Train” has amassed an impressive 3-1 record in the UFC, winning three bouts on the bounce since May 2024 to make a name for himself in the division.
However, UFC Perth could be his breakout moment. Nolan will go 4-0 if he can finish Charlie Campbell, an American with a similar record but with a big height disadvantage, in his home country.
It won’t be easy, but a win over Campbell will force people to take notice and
‘The Vanilla Gorilla’ is debuting against a fighter with just one win in the last two years
Making his debut on the card is Scottish fighter Louie Sutherland, who is better known by his nickname “The Vanilla Gorilla”.
That is a name you will understand as soon as you see the 265 lb Heavyweight who has been dominant in his career so far.
Sutherland is a mountain of a man, packed with muscle as he aims to use his size and strength to dominate his opponents in the octagon.
He is facing Justin Tafa in Perth and will be quietly happy with his choice of opponent. Tafa has a 7-5 record in his career, having lost his last two fights in the UFC, with a negative record since debuting in 2019.
Sutherland has a great chance of landing a big win on his UFC debut, and one look at the Vanilla Gorilla will make him an instant favorite at UFC Perth.
UFC Perth full card
Main card
Light Heavyweight: Carlos Ulberg vs. Dominick Reyes
Featherweight: Jack Jenkins vs. Ramon Taveras
Light Heavyweight: Jimmy Crute vs. Ivan Erslan
Welterweight: Jake Matthews vs. Neil Magny
Lightweight: Tom Nolan vs. Evan Elder
Prelims
Heavyweight: Justin Tafa vs. Louie Sutherland
Light Heavyweight: Navajo Stirling vs. Rodolfo Bellato
Women’s Strawweight: Loma Lookboonmee vs. Alexia Thainara
Welterweight: Jonathan Micallef vs. Oban Elliott
Middleweight: Cameron Rowston vs. Andre Petroski
Bantamweight: Colby Thicknesse vs. Josias Musasa
Lightweight: Jamie Mullarkey vs. Rolando Bedoya
Women’s Bantamweight: Michelle Montague vs. Luana Carolina
Heavyweight: Brando Peričić vs. Elisha Ellison