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
