Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Dominick Reyes returns within the UFC Perth headliner against a fellow KO artist.
UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker was briefly linked to a possible primary event booking for the UFC’s return to Perth, Australia on September twenty seventh. But amid Hooker’s tense recent dealings with the promotion, the UFC has opted to go in one other direction, featuring a jam-packed primary event.
The UFC hasn’t hosted an event in Perth since UFC 305 last yr, featuring a middleweight title headliner between Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya. The UFC’s return to Perth might be well well worth the wait for fight fans, as they announced a star-studded primary event on Tuesday.
Dominick Reyes set to face feared KO artist in UFC Perth primary event
Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Dominick Reyes overcame a brutal losing skid to win three-straight fights since June 2024. Reyes, who nearly handed Jon Jones a rare defeat at UFC 247, was knocked out three consecutive times and appears on the cusp of probably retiring.
Reyes most recently knocked out Nikita Krylov at UFC 314 in April. After his recent resurgence, Reyes might be rewarded with a primary event slot at UFC Perth.
The UFC announced on Tuesday that UFC Perth might be headlined by Reyes vs. Carlos Ulberg on September twenty seventh. It’s a matchup between two of the division’s most dangerous strikers with a possible title shot on the road.
Ulberg returns to the Octagon for the primary time since defeating former champion Jan Blachowicz at UFC London in March. He’s won eight consecutive fights since falling short in his UFC debut, including recent wins over Volkan Oezdemir and Alonzo Menifield.
Reyes and Ulberg have earned a combined 17 knockout victories during their careers. Their matchup will happen at a busy time for the sunshine heavyweight division, particularly at UFC 320 the weekend after UFC Perth.
Dominick Reyes vs. Carlos Ulberg adds to busy Fall for light heavyweights
One week after UFC Perth, UFC 320 takes place in Las Vegas, featuring a lightweight heavyweight title headliner between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira. The fight is a rematch of their UFC 313 fight, wherein Ankalaev walked away with a call victory.
Ankalaev’s first title defense takes place against Pereira, despite recent speculation that the rematch was doomed to return to fruition. Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr. will fight with a possible title shot on the road on the UFC 320 primary card.
Despite Prochazka revealing a title shot was guaranteed with a win over Rountree, the Reyes vs. Ulberg winner has the chance to skip the road with a shocking performance at UFC Perth.