UFC Perth Heats Up: Four Explosive Fights Announced for Australian Card

The UFC is bringing the heat down under! On Monday, the promotion dropped the first wave of fight announcements for its return to Western Australia, with four electric matchups confirmed for UFC Perth at RAC Arena.

As an MMA fan, I’ve been eagerly awaiting details on the UFC’s Australian return, and these initial fights don’t disappoint. Let’s break down what we know so far about this developing card.

First Four Fights Set for UFC Perth

The UFC has wasted no time putting together compelling matchups for Perth fans. While the date hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, these four bouts already promise an action-packed event:

Hometown Heroes Set to Shine

The UFC clearly understands the importance of local talent when heading to Australia. Tai “Bam Bam” Tuivasa leads the hometown charge, looking to bounce back in front of his countrymen against dangerous striker Jairzinho Rozenstruik in what promises to be a heavyweight slugfest.

Jimmy Crute, Casey O’Neill, and Jack Jenkins round out the Australian representation on the card so far. Each brings their own passionate fanbase, guaranteeing a raucous atmosphere at RAC Arena come fight night.

Tuivasa vs. Rozenstruik: Guaranteed Fireworks

Let’s be honest – this heavyweight clash won’t likely see the judges’ scorecards. Tuivasa brings his fan-favorite brawling style against Rozenstruik’s devastating kickboxing background. Between them, these two have 21 KO/TKO victories, making this my early pick for Fight of the Night potential.

Tuivasa will be hungry to snap his three-fight skid, while Rozenstruik aims to build on his recent win over Jailton Almeida. Someone’s getting separated from consciousness, and the Perth crowd will be at full volume for their countryman.

When Will UFC Perth Take Place?

While the UFC hasn’t officially confirmed the date in their announcement, all signs point to early 2024 for this Australian showcase. The promotion typically visits Australia once per year, with Perth previously hosting UFC 221 in 2018 and UFC 284 in February 2023.

Given the timing of this announcement, I’d expect this card to land in February or March 2024, continuing the annual tradition of bringing the Octagon down under during Australia’s summer months.

What’s Next for the Card?

With these four fights announced, speculation now turns to what will headline UFC Perth. The promotion typically delivers strong main events for international shows, especially in markets as passionate as Australia.

Could we see Alexander Volkanovski defend his featherweight throne on home soil? Or perhaps Robert Whittaker in another marquee middleweight bout? The UFC has plenty of options to strengthen what’s already shaping up as a card worth staying up for.

RAC Arena: Perth’s Fighting Fortress

RAC Arena has quickly become a favorite venue for the UFC in Australia. With a capacity of around 15,000 for combat sports events, the atmosphere is always electric when the cage door closes.

The last time UFC visited Perth for UFC 284, the arena witnessed one of 2023’s best fights when Islam Makhachev narrowly defended his lightweight title against Alexander Volkanovski. That energy will undoubtedly carry forward to this upcoming event.

Stay Tuned for More Announcements

This is just the beginning for UFC Perth. In the coming weeks, expect more fight announcements including a headline bout worthy of an international UFC event. I’ll be tracking all the updates as this card continues to take shape.

Are you planning to attend UFC Perth? Which matchup from the announced fights are you most excited about? The countdown to another unforgettable night of fights in Australia has officially begun!

Source: UFC Press Release