UFC Perth Staff Picks: Exciting Welterweight Contenders Duke it Out in Australia

At the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, two of the most preeminent welterweights on the planet will throw down in their conquests for a world title at UFC Perth, with former champion Jack Della Maddalena taking on the literal nightmare of the division, Carlos Prates. In the penultimate matchup of the night, Beneil Dariush and Quillan Salkilld meet in what should be an interesting lightweight collision.

UFC Perth Main Event

On top of the world in 2025, Della Maddalena achieved his first world belt by defeating then 170-lb apex Belal Muhammad at UFC 315, a belt he did not keep for very long, as he would lose it to Russian star Islam Makhachev that November. Still hungry to prove himself as the clear best fighter on the planet, the Perth native will look to show the improvements he made in the training room since his disappointing fall from championship-status.  

A representative of the fabled Fighting Nerds team, Prates has emerged as a clear threat to anyone in the top 15 at welterweight. Confidently touting unreal knockout power, “The Nightmare” is coming off of a monumental stoppage win over previous gold standard Leon Edwards.  

UFC Perth Co-Main Event

After a 16-second finish defeat to French bulldozer Benoît Saint Denis at UFC 322, many have begun calling for Dariush to finally hang up his gloves. The concern mainly comes from his seemingly compromised chin after suffering three knockout losses in his last four tilts. Aiming to prove doubters wrong, though, the 36-year old steps up for a prolific co-main event showdown in an effort to stem the rise of a popular, hot prospect.

Boasting an undefeated streak stretching all the way back to late 2021, Salkilld has continually impressed fans and pundits with his flashy, but immaculate fighting style, logging two first round stoppages in the span of only three months. A well-rounded martial artist that prefers to keep the judges out of his bouts, the Aussie can snag his spot in the top 15 if he manages to take home the victory in front of his countrymen.;

More Bouts On the UFC Perth Main Card

Rounding out the main card, previous title challengers Tim Elliott and Steve Erceg face off. Then, Marwan Rahiki battles Ollie Schmid. Also, heavyweight contender Shamil Gaziev comes to blows with Brando Peričić. Finally, fan-favorite striker Tai Tuivasa locks horns with Louie Sutherland.  

UFC Perth Predictions and Staff Picks

MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).

• UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.

• PFL picks from main cards for both pay-per-views and regular events.

• ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.

Staff picks in 2025 were won by Hank Strandberg with a record of 216-119.

Find our UFC Perth picks and fight odds below.

Staff records after ONE Samurai 1: 

1. Hank Strandberg: 56-33

2. Frazer Krohn: 52-38

3. Drew Zuhosky: 43-45

4. Andrew Benjamin: 11-10

*Note – not all staff pick for every event*

 

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Tai Tuivasa -220

Vs.

Louie Sutherland +185

HEAVYWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: Sutherland by First Round Knockout

Drew Zuhosky: Tuivasa by Unanimous Decision 

Frazer Krohn: Sutherland by Second Round Knockout

Staff picking Tuivasa: 1

Staff picking Sutherland: 2

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Brando Peričić -130

Vs.

Shamil Gaziev +110

HEAVYWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: Gaziev by Second Round Knockout

Drew Zuhosky: Gaziev by Unanimous Decision

Frazer Kron: Gaziev by Second Round Knockout

Staff picking Peričić: 0

Staff picking Gaziev: 3

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Steve Erceg -185

Vs.

Tim Elliott +160

FLYWEIGHT 

Hank Strandberg: Erceg by Unanimous Decision

Drew Zuhosky: Erceg by First Round Knockout

Frazer Kron: Elliot by Unanimous Decision

Staff picking Erceg: 2

Staff picking Elliot: 1

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Quillan Salkilld -400

Vs.

Beneil Dariush +300

LIGHTWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: Salkilld by First Round Knockout

Drew Zuhosky: Dariush by Unanimous Decision

Frazer Krohn: Salkilld by First Round Knockout

Staff picking Salkilld: 2

Staff picking Darisuh: 1

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Carlos Prates -120 

Vs.

Jack Della Maddalena +100

WELTERWEIGHT

Hank Strandberg: Prates by Third Round Knockout 

Drew Zuhosky: Prates by Unanimous Decision

Frazer Krohn: Della Maddalena by Split Decision

Staff picking Prates: 2

Staff picking Della Maddalena: 1