The UFC has headed Down Under, with the city of Perth, Australia set to play host to what should be a spectacular night of fights at RAC Arena on Saturday.
The fight card pits a host of Australian fighting talent against an array of international opposition in a de-facto “Australia versus The World” fight card that should produce a memorable atmosphere throughout the night.
Ahead of fight night, we take a look at the fight card and pick out three key questions that we’ll get answers to as the action unfolds at RAC Arena.
Can Jack Della Maddalena bounce back?
Almost a year ago to the week, Jack Della Maddalena was on top of the world. The Perth native had captured the undisputed UFC welterweight title with victory over Belal Muhammad at UFC 315, and had reached the pinnacle of the sport. But, as the old adage goes, winning the title is one thing – defending it is something else, and he was dethroned in his first title defense by Islam Makhachev.
Six months on from that title loss, Della Maddalena is back and ready to bounce back. He headlines this weekend’s UFC Perth show against dangerous welterweight contender Carlos Prates, who has his own plans to reach the welterweight summit.
Victory for either man could potentially put them in line for either a title eliminator bout, or maybe even a title fight next, but the majority of the crowd at RAC Arena will all be asking the same question – can JDM bounce back and put himself in the mix again?
Whichever way it goes, Saturday’s main event should deliver a spectacular answer.
Is Quillan Salkilld ready to become a lightweight contender?
The co-main event features one of Australian MMA’s most talented rising stars, in a fight that could set him on course for a journey to the top of the world.
Quillan Salkilld has been hugely impressive since arriving in the UFC, but on Saturday he faces a significant step up in class when he takes on perennial contender Beneil Dariush.
It’s worth noting that Dariush was finished in super-quick fashion by Benoit Saint-Denis last season, and has won jut one of his last four, but he remains a dangerous proposition for any prospect looking to gatecrash the lightweight elite.
Salkilld’s performances have suggested that he’s got what it takes, but the proof of the pudding will be whether he can get past Dariush. If he can, Australia will start to get very excited that they have another potential title contender on their hands.
Which rising Aussie star will steal the show?
With almost every fight on the card offering an Australia versus The World matchup, there’s a host of local fighting talent looking to make a big statement to the wider world by delivering a standout performance.
Dom Mar Fan kicks off the show as he makes his official UFC debut against Kody Steele, while Jonathan Micallef faces Themba Gorimbo. Ben Johnson will look to make an impression against Wes Schultz, and Colby Thicknesse faces veteran Vince Morales. That quartet will kick off the fight card, but which one will we be talking about as we recap the action next week?
Saturday should deliver a great event, in a superb atmosphere, as the Aussie fight fans turn out in force to support their fighters throughout the show.
