EVENT OVERVIEW

UFC Perth: Della Maddalena vs. Prates

Bout: Shamil Gaziev vs. Brando Pericic

Division: Heavyweight (265 lbs)

Venue: RAC Arena, Perth, Western Australia

Bout Placement: Main Card

Local Start Time: Main card begins 10:00 PM AWST

U.S. Broadcast Time: Main card begins 5:00 AM PT / 8:00 AM ET

Indoor venue — no weather impact.

INJURY REPORT

No reported injuries

No camp disruptions

No weight‑cut issues for either fighter

Both fighters are fully cleared.

FIGHTER PROFILES & RECENT FORM

Shamil Gaziev

Record: 12–1 Age: 36 Country: Bahrain (Dagestan-born) Style: Heavy-handed pressure striker with strong clinch wrestling Reach: 78″ Stance: Orthodox

Recent Form

Win — KO (2025)

Win — TKO (2024)

Loss — TKO (2024)

Win — KO (2023)

Win — Submission (2023)

Gaziev is a powerful, forward‑pressing heavyweight with:

Big knockout power

Strong top control

Dangerous clinch pressure

A grinding, suffocating style

He excels in close‑range exchanges and has shown improved cardio for a heavyweight.

Strengths

Massive power

Strong wrestling base

Excellent finishing instincts

Durable and composed

Weaknesses

Can be hit cleanly on entries

Slows in extended striking battles

Struggles with mobile opponents

Brando Pericic

Record: 9–2 Age: 30 Country: Croatia Style: Mobile kickboxer with strong lateral movement Reach: 76″ Stance: Southpaw

Recent Form

Win — Decision (2025)

Win — KO (2024)

Loss — KO (2024)

Win — KO (2023)

Win — Decision (2023)

Pericic is a rising European heavyweight with:

Fast feet

Clean kickboxing technique

Strong counterpunching

Good defensive reactions

He thrives in open‑space striking, using movement to frustrate slower, power‑based opponents.

Strengths

Speed advantage

Strong footwork

Accurate counterstriking

Good defensive awareness

Weaknesses

Limited grappling

Can be bullied in clinch

Durability concerns against elite power

MATCHUP BREAKDOWN

Striking

Gaziev: More powerful, more dangerous in pocket

Pericic: Faster, more technical, better movement

Edge: Even (different strengths)

Grappling

Gaziev: Strong clinch and top control

Pericic: Limited defensive grappling

Edge: Gaziev

Cardio

Gaziev: Good for a heavyweight, but slows late

Pericic: Better movement but fades under pressure

Edge: Slight Gaziev

Fight IQ

Gaziev: Experienced, disciplined

Pericic: Still developing

Edge: Gaziev

BETTING TRENDS

1. Heavyweight KO Bias

Public bettors lean toward KO props and unders in heavyweight fights.

2. Gaziev’s Finishing Rate

Books will shade Gaziev ITD heavily.

3. Pericic’s Movement

Sharp bettors may look for Pericic by Decision at long odds.

4. Over/Under Trends

Given both fighters’ finishing histories:

Under 1.5 rounds is live

Fight Doesn’t Go the Distance is likely favored

FIGHT ODDS

Shamil Gaziev                   – 105

Brando Pericic                   – 115

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, May 1, 2026

Event & Venue

Event: UFC Perth: Della Maddalena vs. Prates

Bout: Tim Elliott vs. Steve Erceg

Division: Flyweight (125 lbs)

Venue: RAC Arena, Perth, Western Australia

Local Bout Time: 7:00 PM AWST (11:00 UTC)

U.S. Broadcast: Prelims 1:00 AM PT / 4:00 AM ET; main card 4:00 AM PT / 7:00 AM ET

Indoor arena — no weather impact.

Injury Report

No reported injuries for either fighter

Both cleared for competition

Fighter Profiles & Recent Form

Steve “AstroBoy” Erceg

Record: 13–4

Age: 30

Country: Australia

Style: Well‑rounded grappler/striker with strong finishing instincts

Recent Win: UD over Ode Osbourne (Aug 2025)

Stat Profile

2 KOs, 6 submissions, 5 first‑round finishes

46% significant strike accuracy

52% striking defense

28% takedown accuracy / 63% TDD

Strengths

Slick grappling transitions

Strong home‑crowd advantage

High finishing rate

Composed, technical striking

Weaknesses

Can be low‑volume at times

Has not faced many elite scramblers like Elliott

Tim Elliott

Record: 22–13–1

Age: 39

Country: USA

Style: Chaotic scramble‑heavy wrestler with unorthodox striking

Recent Win: R1 submission over Sumudaerji (Dec 2023)

Stat Profile

8 submissions, 3 KOs, 6 first‑round finishes

45% significant strike accuracy

58% striking defense

48% takedown accuracy / 59% TDD

Strengths

Elite scrambling

High fight IQ from 14 years in UFC

Awkward rhythm disrupts technical fighters

Weaknesses

Age and durability concerns

Can be reversed in grappling exchanges

Prone to losing minutes despite activity

Matchup Breakdown

Striking

Erceg: Cleaner mechanics, better accuracy

Elliott: Chaotic, unpredictable, but less efficient Edge: Erceg

Grappling

Erceg: Strong submission game

Elliott: Better scrambler, more creative Edge: Even

Cardio

Erceg: Reliable 3‑round engine

Elliott: Still strong but slowing with age Edge: Erceg

Experience

Elliott: Former title challenger, 20+ UFC fights

Erceg: Rising contender Edge: Elliott

Betting Trends

Sharp money favors Erceg due to youth, momentum, and home advantage.

Elliott attracts underdog bettors because of his scrambling and upset history.

Fight likely to feature grappling exchanges, making method props attractive.

Erceg’s finishing rate pushes markets toward ITD (inside‑the‑distance) props.

FIGHT ODDS

Tim Elliott           + 145

Steve Erceg         – 175

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, May 1, 2026

EVENT OVERVIEW

UFC Perth: Della Maddalena vs. Prates

Bout: Beneil Dariush vs. Quillan Salkilld

Division: Lightweight (155 lbs)

Venue: RAC Arena, Perth, Western Australia

Bout Placement: Main Card

Local Start Time: Main card begins 10:00 PM AWST

U.S. Broadcast Time: Main card begins 5:00 AM PT / 8:00 AM ET

Indoor venue — no weather impact.

INJURY REPORT

No reported injuries

No camp disruptions

No weight‑cut concerns for either fighter

Both fighters are fully cleared.

FIGHTER PROFILES & RECENT FORM

Beneil Dariush

Record: 22–7–1 Age: 37 Country: USA (Iranian‑born) Style: Elite grappler, high‑pressure southpaw striker Reach: 72″ Stance: Southpaw

Recent Form

Loss — KO (2024)

Loss — KO (2023)

Win — Decision (2022)

Win — Decision (2021)

Win — KO (2021)

Dariush is a long‑established lightweight contender, known for:

World‑class jiu‑jitsu

Relentless pressure

High‑volume striking

Strong clinch wrestling

However, he is entering the later stage of his career and has suffered back‑to‑back knockout losses, raising questions about durability.

Strengths

Elite grappling

Strong top control

High fight IQ

Southpaw angles

Experience against top‑10 competition

Weaknesses

Declining chin

Slower hand speed

Vulnerable early in fights

Age and mileage

Quillan “Killa Q” Salkilld

Record: 10–1 Age: 28 Country: Australia Style: Explosive striker with strong defensive wrestling Reach: 73″ Stance: Orthodox

Recent Form

Win — KO (2025)

Win — Decision (2024)

Win — KO (2024)

Loss — Submission (2023)

Win — KO (2023)

Salkilld is one of Australia’s fastest‑rising prospects:

Fast hands

Heavy leg kicks

Strong takedown defense

Excellent finishing instincts

He thrives in high‑tempo striking battles and has shown the ability to defend takedowns and keep fights standing.

Strengths

Youth and athleticism

Explosive striking

Strong defensive wrestling

Home‑crowd advantage

Weaknesses

Limited experience vs. elite grapplers

Can be overly aggressive

Still developing fight IQ

MATCHUP BREAKDOWN

Striking

Dariush: Technical, pressure‑based, but slower

Salkilld: Faster, more explosive, more dangerous early

Edge: Salkilld

Grappling

Dariush: World‑class BJJ, elite scrambler

Salkilld: Solid defensive wrestling but untested at Dariush’s level

Edge: Dariush

Cardio

Dariush: Proven 3‑round engine

Salkilld: Strong early, slightly fades late

Edge: Dariush

Fight IQ

Dariush: Veteran savvy

Salkilld: Still developing

Edge: Dariush

BETTING TRENDS

1. Aging Veteran vs. Rising Prospect

Public money tends to fade aging fighters coming off KO losses.

2. Australian Fighters in Australia

Historically outperform expectations due to:

Crowd energy

Reduced travel fatigue

Familiar environment

3. Dariush’s Submission Threat

Sharp bettors may look for Dariush by submission at long odds.

4. Salkilld’s KO Upside

Books will shade Salkilld ITD due to his explosive striking.

5. Over/Under Trends

Given both fighters’ finishing histories:

Under 2.5 rounds is live

Fight Doesn’t Go the Distance is likely favored

FIGHT ODDS

Beneil Dariush                  + 285

Quillan Salkilld                 – 350

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, May 1, 2026

EVENT OVERVIEW

UFC Perth: Della Maddalena vs. Prates

Main Event: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates

Division: Welterweight (170 lbs)

Venue: RAC Arena, Perth, Western Australia

Local Start Time: Main card begins 10:00 PM AWST

U.S. Broadcast Time: Main card begins 5:00 AM PT / 8:00 AM ET

Indoor venue — no weather impact.

INJURY REPORT

No reported injuries

No camp disruptions

No weight‑cut concerns for either fighter

Both fighters are fully cleared for the main event.

FIGHTER PROFILES & RECENT FORM

Jack Della Maddalena

Record: 17–3 Age: 29 Country: Australia Style: Elite boxer‑puncher with high accuracy and finishing instincts Reach: 73″ Stance: Switch

Recent Form

Win — KO (2025)

Win — Submission (2024)

Win — Decision (2024)

Loss — KO (2023)

Win — KO (2023)

Della Maddalena is one of the most polished strikers in the welterweight division:

Elite boxing combinations

Body‑head layering

Exceptional shot selection

High finishing rate

He thrives in pocket exchanges and is extremely comfortable in chaotic striking sequences.

Strengths

Best pure boxer in the division

High fight IQ

Excellent timing and counters

Strong chin and recovery

Home‑crowd advantage

Weaknesses

Defensive grappling can be tested

Sometimes starts slow

Can be hittable early before he calibrates range

Carlos Prates

Record: 19–6 Age: 30 Country: Brazil Style: Long, rangy Muay Thai striker with sharp knees and kicks Reach: 78″ Stance: Southpaw

Recent Form

Win — KO (2025)

Win — KO (2024)

Win — Decision (2024)

Loss — Decision (2023)

Win — KO (2023)

Prates is a dangerous, surging contender with:

Massive reach advantage

Long‑range kicking game

Sharp knees in the clinch

Southpaw angles that frustrate boxers

He is a rhythm‑based striker who excels when he can maintain distance and force opponents into linear exchanges.

Strengths

5″ reach advantage

Devastating left kick and knee

Strong counter‑striking

Good takedown defense

Weaknesses

Can be pressured backward

Struggles against high‑volume boxers

Slow defensive reactions in pocket exchanges

MATCHUP BREAKDOWN

Striking

Della Maddalena: Best pocket boxer in the matchup

Prates: Better at long range, dangerous knees

Edge: Della Maddalena

Grappling

Della Maddalena: Solid defensive grappling, underrated submissions

Prates: Good defensive wrestling but limited offensive grappling

Edge: Even

Cardio

Della Maddalena: Proven 5‑round engine

Prates: Strong 3‑round cardio, untested in championship pace

Edge: Della Maddalena

Fight IQ

Della Maddalena: Elite

Prates: Improving but still developing

Edge: Della Maddalena

BETTING TRENDS

1. Australian Fighters in Australia

Historically outperform expectations due to:

Crowd energy

Reduced travel fatigue

Familiar environment

2. Della Maddalena’s KO Threat

Books will shade Della Maddalena ITD heavily.

3. Prates’ Reach Advantage

Sharp bettors may look for Prates by KO at long odds due to his long‑range weapons.

4. Over/Under Trends

Della Maddalena fights often end inside the distance:

Under 3.5 rounds is likely favored

Fight Doesn’t Go the Distance is live

FIGHT ODDS

Jack Della Maddalena    + 110

Carlos Prates                     – 130

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, May 1, 2026

EVENT OVERVIEW

UFC Perth: Della Maddalena vs. Prates

Bout: Jack Jenkins vs. Marwan Rahiki

Division: Featherweight (145 lbs)

Venue: RAC Arena, Perth, Western Australia

Bout Placement: Early Prelims

Local Start Time: Approx. 6:00 PM AWST

U.S. Broadcast Time: Early Prelims begin 1:00 AM PT / 4:00 AM ET

Indoor venue — no weather impact.

INJURY REPORT

No reported injuries

No camp disruptions

No weight‑cut issues publicly noted for either fighter

Both fighters are fully cleared.

FIGHTER PROFILES & RECENT FORM

Jack “Phar Jack” Jenkins

Record: 12–3 Age: 30 Country: Australia Style: Low‑kick specialist, pressure striker, strong clinch grappler Reach: 68″ Stance: Orthodox

Recent Form

Win — Decision (2025)

Loss — TKO (2024)

Win — Decision (2023)

Win — Decision (2023)

Win — KO (2022)

Jenkins is known for:

Devastating calf kicks

Strong clinch control

High fight IQ

Durable, grinding style

He excels at breaking opponents down over time, especially with leg‑kick attrition.

Strengths

Elite leg‑kick game

Strong clinch wrestling

Excellent cardio

Home‑crowd advantage

Weaknesses

Not a big finisher

Can be out‑paced by high‑volume strikers

Reach disadvantage in many matchups

Marwan Rahiki

Record: 8–1 Age: 26 Country: Morocco / France-based Style: Fast, explosive striker with strong movement Reach: 71″ Stance: Switch

Recent Form

Win — KO (2025)

Win — Decision (2024)

Win — KO (2024)

Loss — Submission (2023)

Win — KO (2023)

Rahiki is a rising European prospect with:

Fast hands

Strong counterpunching

Good footwork

Solid takedown defense

He thrives in open‑space striking battles and has shown the ability to maintain a high pace.

Strengths

Speed advantage

Clean, technical striking

Strong counter game

Good defensive reactions

Weaknesses

Limited grappling depth

Can be pressured backward

Has not faced many elite kickers

MATCHUP BREAKDOWN

Striking

Jenkins: More diverse weapons, especially leg kicks

Rahiki: Faster hands, better counters

Edge: Even (different strengths)

Grappling

Jenkins: Better clinch control and takedowns

Rahiki: Solid defense but limited offense

Edge: Jenkins

Cardio

Jenkins: Proven over 3 rounds

Rahiki: Strong early, slightly fades late

Edge: Jenkins

Fight IQ

Jenkins: Very tactical, disciplined

Rahiki: Still developing

Edge: Jenkins

BETTING TRENDS

1. Australian Fighters in Australia

Historically outperform expectations due to:

Crowd energy

Reduced travel fatigue

Familiar environment

2. Jenkins’ Leg‑Kick Game

Books will shade Jenkins by Decision due to his attrition‑based style.

3. Rahiki’s KO Upside

Public bettors may chase Rahiki’s explosive striking at plus money.

4. Over/Under Trends

Jenkins fights often go long:

Over 2.5 rounds is typically favored

Fight Goes the Distance is live

FIGHT ODDS

Jack Jenkins                       + 100

Marwan Rahiki                 – 120

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, May 1, 2026

EVENT OVERVIEW

UFC Perth: Della Maddalena vs. Prates

Bout: Dom Mar Fan vs. Kody Steele

Division: Welterweight (170 lbs)

Venue: RAC Arena, Perth, Western Australia

Bout Placement: Early Prelims

Local Start Time: Approx. 6:00 PM AWST

U.S. Broadcast Time: Early Prelims begin 1:00 AM PT / 4:00 AM ET

Indoor venue — no weather impact.

INJURY REPORT

No reported injuries

No camp disruptions

No weight‑cut issues publicly noted for either fighter

Both fighters are fully cleared.

FIGHTER PROFILES & RECENT FORM

Dom Mar Fan

Record: 6–1 Age: 27 Country: Australia Style: Dynamic striker with strong movement and counter‑timing Reach: 72″ Stance: Switch

Recent Form

Win — KO (2025)

Win — Decision (2024)

Win — KO (2024)

Loss — Submission (2023)

Win — KO (2023)

Mar Fan is one of the more intriguing Australian prospects on the card:

Fast, fluid striking

Excellent footwork

Strong defensive reactions

High‑level feints and counterpunching

He is still developing his grappling but has shown improved takedown defense and better cage awareness.

Strengths

Speed advantage

Clean, technical striking

Strong counter game

Home‑crowd advantage

Weaknesses

Limited grappling depth

Can be too reactive early

Has not faced many pressure wrestlers

Kody Steele

Record: 5–1 Age: 30 Country: USA Style: Elite grappler (BJJ black belt), explosive wrestler, heavy top control Reach: 71″ Stance: Orthodox

Recent Form

Win — Submission (2025)

Win — KO (2024)

Loss — Decision (2024)

Win — Submission (2023)

Win — KO (2023)

Steele is a high‑level grappler with a strong background in submission grappling and wrestling. He is known for:

Relentless takedown attempts

Heavy top pressure

Strong positional control

Dangerous front‑headlock series

His striking is improving, but grappling is his bread and butter.

Strengths

Best grappler in the matchup

Strong wrestling entries

Excellent submission chains

Good cardio

Weaknesses

Striking still developing

Can be hittable on entries

Sometimes forces grappling exchanges too early

MATCHUP BREAKDOWN

Striking

Mar Fan: Faster, more technical, better variety

Steele: Improving but still basic

Edge: Mar Fan

Grappling

Mar Fan: Solid defensive wrestling

Steele: Superior offensive grappling and control

Edge: Steele

Cardio

Mar Fan: Strong early, slows slightly in R3

Steele: Built for grinding fights

Edge: Steele

Fight IQ

Mar Fan: Still developing

Steele: More seasoned in grappling transitions

Edge: Steele

BETTING TRENDS

1. Striker vs. Grappler Dynamic

Public money tends to favor the striker (Mar Fan), while sharp bettors often look for value on the grappler (Steele).

2. Australian Fighters in Australia

Historically outperform expectations due to:

Crowd energy

Reduced travel fatigue

Familiar environment

3. Steele’s Submission Threat

Books will price Steele by submission as a live underdog angle.

4. Mar Fan’s KO Upside

Books will shade Mar Fan ITD due to his explosive striking.

FIGHT ODDS

Dom Mar Fan                     + 140

Kody Steele                       – 160

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, May 1, 2026

EVENT OVERVIEW

UFC Perth: Della Maddalena vs. Prates

Bout: Jonathan Micallef vs. Themba Gorimbo

Division: Welterweight (170 lbs)

Venue: RAC Arena, Perth, Western Australia

Bout Placement: Early Prelims

Local Start Time: Approx. 6:00 PM AWST

U.S. Broadcast Time: Early Prelims begin 1:00 AM PT / 4:00 AM ET

Indoor venue — no weather impact.

INJURY REPORT

No reported injuries

No camp disruptions

No weight‑cut issues publicly noted for either fighter

Both fighters are fully cleared.

FIGHTER PROFILES & RECENT FORM

Jonathan “The Maltese Mauler” Micallef

Record: 7–1 Age: 27 Country: Malta / Australia-based Style: Pressure striker with strong defensive wrestling Reach: 73″ Stance: Orthodox

Recent Form

Win — KO (2025)

Win — Decision (2024)

Win — KO (2024)

Loss — Submission (2023)

Win — KO (2023)

Micallef is a rising Oceania prospect with:

Heavy hands

Strong forward pressure

Improved takedown defense

A growing fanbase in Australia

He thrives in high‑pace striking battles and has shown the ability to defend takedowns and keep fights standing.

Strengths

Explosive striking

Strong first‑round finishing ability

Good balance and hips in takedown defense

Home‑region advantage

Weaknesses

Still developing grappling

Can be overly aggressive early

Limited experience against UFC‑level wrestlers

Themba “The Answer” Gorimbo

Record: 12–5 Age: 35 Country: Zimbabwe Style: High‑motor wrestler with opportunistic submissions Reach: 76″ Stance: Orthodox

Recent Form

Win — Decision (2025)

Win — Submission (2024)

Loss — KO (2024)

Win — Decision (2023)

Loss — Decision (2023)

Gorimbo is known for:

Relentless wrestling

Strong top control

High work rate

Inspirational backstory and mental toughness

He is not a dangerous striker but excels at grinding opponents down and winning minutes.

Strengths

Strong wrestling and clinch control

Excellent cardio

Durable and experienced

Good submission instincts from top

Weaknesses

Limited striking

Predictable entries

Vulnerable to explosive counterstrikers

MATCHUP BREAKDOWN

Striking

Micallef: Faster, more powerful, more dynamic

Gorimbo: Functional but limited

Edge: Micallef

Grappling

Micallef: Solid defensive wrestling

Gorimbo: Superior offensive wrestling and control

Edge: Gorimbo

Cardio

Micallef: Strong early, slows slightly in R3

Gorimbo: Excellent long‑fight engine

Edge: Gorimbo

Fight IQ

Micallef: Still developing

Gorimbo: Veteran savvy, good adjustments

Edge: Gorimbo

BETTING TRENDS

1. Striker vs. Wrestler Dynamic

Public money tends to favor the striker (Micallef), while sharp bettors often look for value on the wrestler (Gorimbo).

2. Micallef’s KO Threat

Books will shade Micallef ITD heavily.

3. Gorimbo’s Durability

He rarely gets finished early, which may push bettors toward:

Over 1.5 rounds

Fight Goes the Distance

4. Australian Fighters in Australia

Historically outperform expectations due to:

Crowd energy

Reduced travel fatigue

Familiar environment

FIGHT ODDS

Jonathan Micallef            – 180

Themba Gorimbo            + 150

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, May 1, 2026

EVENT OVERVIEW

UFC Perth: Della Maddalena vs. Prates

Bout: Benjamin Johnston vs. Wes Schultz

Division: Middleweight (185 lbs)

Venue: RAC Arena, Perth, Western Australia

Bout Placement: Early Prelims

Local Start Time: Approx. 6:00 PM AWST

U.S. Broadcast Time: Early Prelims begin 1:00 AM PT / 4:00 AM ET

Indoor venue — no weather impact.

INJURY REPORT

No reported injuries

No camp disruptions

No weight‑cut issues reported for either fighter

Both fighters are fully cleared.

FIGHTER PROFILES & RECENT FORM

Benjamin “The Bad Guy” Johnston

Record: 5–1 Age: 28 Country: Australia Style: Explosive striker with strong clinch control Reach: 75″ Stance: Orthodox

Recent Form

Win — KO (2025)

Win — KO (2024)

Win — Decision (2024)

Loss — Submission (2023)

Win — KO (2023)

Johnston is one of Australia’s rising prospects:

Heavy hands

Strong Muay Thai base

Excellent finishing instincts

Thrives in front of a home crowd

He is still developing his ground game but has shown improved takedown defense in recent bouts.

Strengths

Knockout power

Fast starts

Strong clinch striking

Home‑country advantage

Weaknesses

Limited grappling depth

Can be hittable in exchanges

Has not faced many UFC‑level wrestlers

Wes “The Soldier” Schultz

Record: 7–3 Age: 31 Country: USA Style: Wrestle‑boxer with grinding top control Reach: 74″ Stance: Orthodox

Recent Form

Win — Decision (2025)

Loss — KO (2024)

Win — Submission (2024)

Loss — Decision (2023)

Win — KO (2023)

Schultz is a durable, well‑rounded fighter who relies on:

Pressure wrestling

Dirty boxing

Clinch control

Grinding pace

He is not a big finisher but wins minutes with pressure and physicality.

Strengths

Strong wrestling base

Good cardio

Durable and experienced

Effective against strikers who struggle with pressure

Weaknesses

Limited striking power

Predictable entries

Vulnerable to fast, explosive opponents

MATCHUP BREAKDOWN

Striking

Johnston: Faster, more powerful, more dynamic

Schultz: Functional boxing but lacks speed and pop

Edge: Johnston

Grappling

Johnston: Improving but untested at elite level

Schultz: Better wrestler, more control time

Edge: Schultz

Cardio

Johnston: Strong early, slows slightly in R3

Schultz: Built for grinding fights

Edge: Schultz

Fight IQ

Johnston: Still developing

Schultz: More seasoned, more tactical

Edge: Schultz

BETTING TRENDS

1. Australian Fighters in Australia

Historically outperform expectations due to:

Crowd energy

Reduced travel fatigue

Familiar environment

2. Striker vs. Wrestler Dynamic

Public money tends to favor the striker (Johnston), while sharp bettors often look for value on the wrestler (Schultz).

3. Schultz’s Durability

He rarely gets finished early, which may push bettors toward:

Over 1.5 rounds

Fight Goes the Distance

4. Johnston’s KO Threat

Books will shade Johnston ITD heavily.

FIGHT ODDS

Benjamin Johnston`       – 140

Wes Schultz                        + 120

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, May 1, 2026

EVENT OVERVIEW

UFC Perth: Della Maddalena vs. Prates

Bout: Colby Thicknesse vs. Vince Morales

Division: Bantamweight (135 lbs)

Venue: RAC Arena, Perth, Western Australia

Bout Placement: Early Prelims

Local Start Time: Approx. 6:00 PM AWST

U.S. Broadcast Time: Early Prelims begin 1:00 AM PT / 4:00 AM ET

Indoor arena — no weather impact.

INJURY REPORT

No reported injuries

No camp withdrawals

No weight‑cut concerns publicly noted for either fighter

Both fighters are fully cleared.

FIGHTER PROFILES & RECENT FORM

Colby Thicknesse

Record: 8–1 Age: 26 Country: Australia Style: High‑pressure striker with strong scrambling ability Reach: 70″ Stance: Orthodox

Recent Form

Win — TKO (2025)

Win — Submission (2024)

Win — Decision (2024)

Only loss: Split decision early in career

Thicknesse is part of the new wave of Australian prospects:

Fast hands

Strong leg‑kick game

Excellent transitional grappling

High pace, high cardio

He thrives in scramble-heavy fights and has shown the ability to mix striking and wrestling fluidly.

Strengths

Youth, speed, and athleticism

Strong finishing instincts

Crowd advantage fighting in Perth

Better durability at this stage of career

Weaknesses

Limited UFC experience

Can be overly aggressive early

Sometimes accepts clinch positions unnecessarily

Vince “Vandetta” Morales

Record: 13–7 Age: 35 Country: USA Style: Boxer-wrestler hybrid Reach: 70″ Stance: Orthodox

Recent Form

Loss — Decision (2025)

Win — KO (2024)

Loss — Submission (2024)

Loss — Decision (2023)

Morales is a veteran of the UFC and Bellator, known for:

Clean boxing combinations

Solid takedown defense

Strong counterpunching

However, he has shown declining durability and struggles against younger, faster opponents.

Strengths

Experience edge

Technical boxing

Good footwork and counter timing

Weaknesses

Declining chin

Lower output

Struggles with pressure fighters

Limited finishing threat at this stage

MATCHUP BREAKDOWN

Striking

Thicknesse: Faster, more dynamic, more varied weapons

Morales: Cleaner boxing but slower and more predictable

Edge: Thicknesse

Grappling

Thicknesse: Better scrambler, more explosive

Morales: Solid defensive wrestling but not offensively threatening

Edge: Thicknesse

Cardio

Thicknesse: High pace, youthful engine

Morales: Can fade under pressure

Edge: Thicknesse

Fight IQ

Morales: Veteran savvy

Thicknesse: Still developing

Edge: Morales

📊 BETTING ODDS (PROJECTED MARKET RANGE)

No official lines posted yet, but based on matchup dynamics and comparable pricing:

Colby Thicknesse: –250 to –325

Vince Morales: +200 to +260

Thicknesse will almost certainly open as the favorite due to:

Youth

Momentum

Home‑country advantage

Morales’ recent losses

📈 BETTING TRENDS

1. Youth vs. Veteran Trend

Younger, faster bantamweights have beaten Morales consistently in recent years.

2. Morales’ Durability Decline

He has been stopped multiple times in the last 3 years.

3. Australian Fighters in Australia

Historically perform well due to:

Crowd energy

Reduced travel fatigue

Familiar environment

4. Thicknesse’s Finishing Upside

Books will likely shade Thicknesse ITD (inside the distance).

FIGHT ODDS

Colby Thicknesse             – 145

Vince Morales                   + 125

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, May 1, 2026

Event Details

Event: UFC Perth: Della Maddalena vs. Prates

Bout: Jacob Malkoun vs. Gerald Meerschaert (Middleweight)

Venue: RAC Arena, Perth, Western Australia

Local Start Time: 08:00 UTC for early prelims; Malkoun vs. Meerschaert is on the Preliminary Card

Environment: Indoor arena (no weather impact)

Injury Report

No injuries or withdrawals have been reported for either fighter as of April 30, 2026. Both are fully cleared. (No conflicting reports found in any sourced material.)

Fighter Profiles & Recent Form

Jacob Malkoun (9–3)

Record in UFC: 5–3 since 2020

Physicals: 5’9″, 73″ reach

Recent Fights:

Win — Torrez Finney (Unanimous Decision), Jan 2026

Win — Andre Petroski (KO/TKO), 2024

Loss — Cody Brundage (DQ), 2023

Win — Nick Maximov (UD), 2022

Loss — Brendan Allen (UD), 2022

Strengths:

Elite wrestling volume: 5.81 takedowns per 15 minutes, 41% accuracy

High striking output: 151–42 significant strike domination in last fight

Cardio & pace: 10:39 average fight time, comfortable in long fights

Weaknesses:

Limited submission offense

Can be undersized at middleweight

Gerald Meerschaert (37–21)

Record in UFC: 12–13 since 2016

Physicals: 6’1″, 77.5″ reach (4.5″ reach advantage)

Recent Fights:

Loss — Kyle Daukaus (SUB R1)

Loss — Michal Oleksiejczuk (KO/TKO R1)

Loss — Brad Tavares (UD)

Loss — Reinier de Ridder (SUB R3)

Win — Edmen Shahbazyan (SUB R2)

Strengths:

One of UFC’s most prolific submission artists: 29 career submissions, 12 in UFC middleweight history

Dangerous in scrambles, strong clinch grappling

Weaknesses:

Four‑fight losing streak

Recently submitted twice despite grappling pedigree

Declining durability at age 38

Matchup Breakdown

Striking

Malkoun: Higher volume, better accuracy (58% significant strikes)

Meerschaert: Lower output, relies on counters and clinch entries

Edge: Malkoun

Grappling

Malkoun: Strong wrestling, top control

Meerschaert: Far superior submission threat

Edge: Meerschaert (if he gets dominant positions)

Cardio

Malkoun: Proven over long fights

Meerschaert: Historically durable but fading in recent years

Edge: Malkoun

FIGHT ODDS

Jacob Malkoun                 – 1100

Gerald Meerschaert       + 700

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, May 1, 2026