UFC Perth delivered a night of unforgettable action, but one of its hardest-fought warriors paid a heavy price. No. 14-ranked heavyweight Shamil Gaziev was transported to a local hospital after a brutal second-round knockout loss to Australian slugger Brando Pericic on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at RAC Arena.

The fight, which earned both men $100,000 "Fight of the Night" bonuses, was a violent, back-and-forth war that had the crowd on its feet. Gaziev, known for his resilience, absorbed significant damage before Pericic's power proved too much.

Company officials confirmed to MMAmania.com that Gaziev underwent a precautionary CT scan of his head and face following the loss. While such hospital visits are standard procedure for fighters involved in high-impact bouts, the news underscores the physical toll of the sport.

Gaziev (14-3) has now dropped two straight fights, both via stoppage, and falls to 3-3 inside the Octagon. The Bahraini bruiser burst onto the scene in 2023 via Contender Series and quickly made a name for himself, famously becoming the only fighter to defeat Martin Buday during Buday's UFC run. He was also fast-tracked into a main event against Jairzinho Rozenstruik, where he lost via corner stoppage.

For Pericic (7-1), the win marks his third straight knockout in the UFC, and he's now riding a wave of momentum that could vault him into the heavyweight rankings. With Gaziev's spot likely up for grabs, the Australian slugger is proving he's a force to be reckoned with.

As of now, Gaziev's scan results have not been released, but fans are urged to stay tuned for updates. For complete UFC Perth results and highlights, keep an eye on official channels.