UFC Perth Recap: Ulberg Emerges as Clear Contender, Crute and Jenkins Shine at Home
A week before the UFC Light Heavyweight title rematch, the next challenger may have already been decided.
Carlos Ulberg extended his win streak to nine with a devastating first-round knockout over former title challenger Dominick Reyes. From the opening bell, Ulberg pushed the pace, forcing Reyes to address a dynamic kicking game targeting all three levels. Reyes struggled to respond to Ulberg’s feints and pressure, ultimately biting on an up-jab before Ulberg angled off and blasted a right cross through his jaw to end the fight in emphatic fashion.
Now with wins over two former title challengers and a former champion in his last three fights, the No. 3 ranked contender seems to have earned his shot at gold.
Aussie Stars Deliver Big Performances
Jimmy “The Brute” Crute lived up to his nickname, brutally submitting Ivan Erslan. After trading heavy leg kicks and slipping some wild haymakers, Crute turned to his grappling. Securing Erslan’s back, he locked his hands under the chin and drove his hips down, forcing the tap with what resembled a variation of the Iron Sheik’s Camel Clutch.
Jack Jenkins returned to the win column with a unanimous decision victory over Ramon Tavares in the featured bout. Jenkins established his kicking game early, targeting the midsection and head, before connecting clean boxing combinations in the second round and using his grappling to control the third.
Neil Magny added to his record for most UFC welterweight wins — albeit in controversial fashion. In the final minute of Round 1, Jake Matthews locked in a tight guillotine, prompting the referee to intervene. On replay, the ref can be heard yelling “He’s out,” though Magny was not. The fight continued as if the round had simply ended. Magny weathered a difficult second round before rallying in the third with relentless pressure and securing a D’Arce choke for the comeback win.
Tom Nolan kicked off the main card with a slick submission over Charlie Campbell. After being dropped by a left hook, Nolan dug a spinning back kick into Campbell’s body. During a heated exchange, he clinched, dragged Campbell to the mat, took the back, and sunk in a rear naked choke — his first career submission win.
Rising Prospects Make Their Mark
Navajo Stirling remained unbeaten with a gritty unanimous decision win over Rodolfo Bellato. Known for his calculated distance management, Stirling abandoned his usual style for a pocket war, trading bombs and mixing in timely wrestling and body shots that may have swayed the judges.
Cameron Rowston made a big statement in his debut, finishing Andre Petroski in under three minutes. After surviving an armbar, Rowston landed a smooth counter left hook to the temple, then poured on ground-and-pound for the TKO win.
Jamie Mullarkey used relentless takedowns and diverse striking to build an early lead over Roland Bedoya. Though his gas tank faded in the third, Mullarkey held on to nullify Bedoya’s comeback and earn a decision win.
Colby Thickness earned his first UFC victory in his second appearance, ending Round 1 with a bulldog choke attempt and dominating top position in Round 3 to seal the decision.
Early Card Debuts Highlight Australia’s Depth
Two local prospects kicked off the night with strong debut performances.
Michelle Montague controlled Luana Carolina with five takedowns and nearly 11 minutes of control time. An illegal upkick in the second round cost Carolina a point, and Montague closed strong, earning 10-8 rounds from two judges in a dominant third frame.
In the heavyweight division, Brando Pericic made short work of Elisha Ellison. A wild right hand forced Ellison into a desperate takedown attempt. Pericic defended with sharp elbows, dropped him, and finished with a flurry of lefts for the first-round KO.
International Talent Breaks Through
Brazil’s Alexia Thainara may find herself ranked after halting the win streak of No. 14 strawweight Loma Lookboonmee. Thainara racked up five takedowns and over ten minutes of control to earn her 11th straight win — and her second in the UFC.
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