The dust has settled on UFC Perth, and what a night it was inside RAC Arena! From stunning knockouts to rising stars making their mark, the action on May 2, 2026, has left fight fans buzzing. Let's break down the biggest winners and who they should face next in the Octagon.
Carlos Prates stole the show with a third-round TKO victory over Jack Della Maddalena, marking his seventh knockout win inside the Octagon and third straight. Prates was dominant from start to finish, and this performance all but locks him into a title shot. With division king Islam Makhachev reportedly in talks to defend his belt against Ian Machado Garry, Prates can take a well-deserved rest, heal up, and prepare to face the winner. The path to the gold is clear—now it's about timing.
In the co-main event, Quillan Salkilld made a huge statement by stopping Beneil Dariush in the very first round. It was his toughest test yet, and he passed with flying colors. Salkilld is climbing fast, and a matchup against No. 9-ranked Renato Moicano makes sense. Moicano got back in the win column earlier this month with a big victory over Chris Duncan, snapping a two-fight skid. This would be a perfect clash of momentum versus experience.
Steve Erceg kept his resurgence alive with a unanimous decision win over Tim Elliott, his second straight victory. After losing three in a row in 2024-2025, the former title challenger has found his groove. A fight against the winner of Alex Perez (No. 10) vs. Su Madaerji later this month could be the perfect next step. Either way, Erceg is knocking on the door of the Top 10 again.
Finally, Ivan Pericic continued his tear through the Heavyweight division, stopping No. 14-ranked Shamil Gaziev in the second round. It was his fifth straight win and third inside the Octagon via knockout. The Heavyweight division is hungry for new contenders, and Pericic is on the rise. Expect to see him crack the Top 15 next week, and a fight against someone like Jairzinho Rozenstruik or a surging prospect could be next.
UFC Perth delivered drama, heart, and highlight-reel finishes. Now the matchmaking begins, and the possibilities are exciting!