UFC Perth: Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates Fight Card Picks & Predictions

Another highlight-reel win here could set Prates up for a title shot, but I still have to back the former champion in this matchup even if I won’t be shocked if he gets caught at some point.

(Pick: Della Maddalena)

Beneil Dariush vs. Quillan Salkilld

It’s extremely difficult to trust Dariush’s chin at this stage and I won’t be surprised if he gets stopped early, but I’m still going to pick him for the upset here given that he’s a pretty significant step up in competition for Salkilld.

(Pick: Dariush)

Tim Elliott vs. Steve Erceg

Provided that he can avoid tangling up with Elliott on the ground, Erceg should be able to get the win here and further distance himself from the three-fight losing streak that began with his failed flyweight title bid.

(Pick: Erceg)

Marwan Rahiki vs. Ollie Schmid

All credit to Schmid for stepping up for this opportunity on less than a week’s notice, but it’s hard to see how he wins this without connecting with a big shot that puts Rahiki’s lights out.

(Pick: Rahiki)

Shamil Gaziev vs. Brando Peričić

I’m surprised to see Peričić lined as a small favorite heading into this fight. Gaziev has proven himself against stronger competition and feels like a pretty big step up for “The Balkan Bear” in just his third UFC fight.

(Pick: Gaziev)

Tai Tuivasa vs. Louie Sutherland

The UFC matchmakers were already trying to help Tuivasa snap his losing skid with his original matchup against Sean Sharaf, and now he gets a fighter coming in on short notice after an 0-2 start to his UFC career.

(Pick: Tuivasa)

UFC Perth Preliminary Card Predictions

Cam Rowston vs. Robert Bryczek

If feels like the UFC lined this fight up as the featured prelim with a specific outcome in mind, but I think that Rowston may have a tougher time than expected against an experienced fighter that also has plenty of KO/TKO wins on his record.

(Pick: Bryczek)

Junior Tafa vs. Kevin Christian

Tafa is going to have to navigate a pretty sizeable height and reach advantage in order to find a fight-ending shot here, and I think Christian will be smart enough to exploit the Australian’s glaring weaknesses in the grappling department.

(Pick: Christian)

Jacob Malkoun vs. Gerald Meerschaert

This is more me questioning how wide the betting line is than having a lot of faith in Meerschaert, but I won’t be surprised if “GM3” is able to snag a guillotine choke off of a Malkoun takedown attempt.

(Pick: Meerschaert)

Colby Thicknesse vs. Vince Morales

An experienced veteran like Morales is always a dangerous matchup for a young fighter, but Thicknesse should be able to avoid getting caught in any submission attempts and get his hand raised here.

(Pick: Thicknesse)

Wes Schultz vs. Ben Johnston

It could be a short night for Schultz if he decides to stand and trade strikes with Johnston, but I’ll slightly lean with “Party Time” to get right on his takedowns and avoid eating any big shots from the Australian.

(Pick: Schultz)

Jonathan Micallef vs. Themba Gorimbo

I think Gorimbo has a better chance of winning this than the current betting odds indicate, but Micallef has quite a bit of momentum after starting his UFC career with two solid wins.

(Pick: Micallef)

Kody Steele vs. Dom Mar Fan

Steele’s upset-loss to Rongzhu seems to have shattered quite a bit of the hype around him, but I think he can get back on track here against the debuting Mar Fan.

(Pick: Steele)

MMA KO has been providing comprehensive coverage for UFC Perth all throughout fight week, and be sure to check back with us once the card kicks off for live results and highlights from all the action.