May 23, 2025
UFC Perth 2025: Dream Card Matchmaking & Predictions
With a fourth UFC event in Perth, Western Australia on the horizon, it’s time for another round of matchmaking — and who better to build the dream card than someone who lives and breathes MMA? Here’s how I, Benny P, would stack the next UFC Perth pay-per-view from top to bottom.
🛑 Note: The previously rumored bout between Jimmy Crute and Marcin Prachnio has since been officially moved to UFC 318: Holloway vs Poirier 3 in New Orleans on July 19, 2025.
🏆 Main Event: UFC Welterweight Championship
Jack Della Maddalena (C) vs Islam Makhachev
You’d be hard-pressed to find a better narrative than this one — Jack Della defending home turf against the man who narrowly defeated his good mate, Alexander Volkanovski, in the very same city. Add in Craig Jones in JDM’s corner and you’ve got the ingredients for a banger of a build-up. Makhachev is chasing all-time greatness, and JDM is charging towards pound-for-pound supremacy. Storyline sells itself.
🥈 Co-Main Event: UFC Featherweight Championship
Alexander Volkanovski (C) vs Movsar Evloev
Aussie vs Russian two fights in a row? Sign me up. Evloev is unbeaten at 19-0, but often overlooked due to his grinding style. Volk facing and potentially handing Movsar his first loss would be massive for his legacy — far more than another clash with Yair Rodríguez. This is the legacy fight Volk needs right now.
🔥 Feature Fight: BMF Championship
Max Holloway (C) vs Dan Hooker
Whether or not the BMF belt is on the line, who wouldn’t want five rounds of Holloway vs Hooker? Both bring the chaos, and Max has expressed interest in fighting Down Under. If Holloway gets past Poirier at UFC 318, this could easily be the fan-friendly war to follow.
🇦🇺 Robert Whittaker vs Sean Strickland
Yes, Rob is already booked against Reinier de Ridder in July, but if he gets through unscathed, why not turn him around quickly? Strickland is one of the few ranked middleweights Bobby Knuckles hasn’t faced, and he’s shown a willingness to travel.
🇦🇺 Steve Erceg vs Cody Durden
After being thrown into the fire repeatedly, it's time for Erceg to get a winnable matchup. Durden’s grappling-heavy style makes for a compelling test — and one Erceg could pass with flair.
🔽 Main Card Openers
- Cody Haddon vs Heili Alateng – Good next step up for Haddon, and logistically makes sense with Alateng based in Asia.
- Jake Matthews vs Daniel Rodriguez – Both have called for it. Veteran scrap. Great for Aussie fans.
- Quillan Salkilld vs Rongzhu – Rongzhu gave us a war at UFC 312. Quillan’s upcoming fight vs Yanal Ashmouz will determine if he’s ready, but the timing could align.
- Tom Nolan vs Terrance McKinney – Two all-action finishers. No analysis needed. Just violence.
🥊 Early Prelims (If Timing & Health Align)
- Jimmy Crute vs Marcin Prachnio – This fight was initially planned for UFC 312 before Prachnio withdrew. It’s now rebooked for UFC 318.
- Jonothan Micallef vs Song Kenan – Despite optics, Kenan is still a dangerous matchup. Remember, he once dropped Ian Garry.
- Stewart Nicoll vs Mitch Raposo – Both searching for UFC redemption after tough debuts.
- Colby Thicknesse vs AJ Cunningham – Colby with a full camp makes this a real test.
📲 Want to Chat or Follow My Work?
If you liked my matchmaking wishlist or want to talk fights, hit me up:
- Instagram: @thebenp_01
- YouTube: @Bendaman2001
- X/Twitter: @Bendaman2001
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