The UFC has confirmed a host of fights for its upcoming Perth event, including the return of Aussie cult hero Tai Tuivasa, whose career sits at a crossroads.
Headlined by a blockbuster welterweight clash between Jack Della Maddalena and Carlos Prates, the May 2 card at RAC Arena has steadily taken shape in recent weeks.
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On Friday, the promotion announced a co-main event between hyped Aussie phenom Quillan Salkilld and veteran contender Beneil Dariush – and on Sunday five more fights were added to the lineup.
Among the new additions is a heavyweight fight featuring Mount Druitt slugger Tai Tuivasa, who will take on Sean Sharaf.
At flyweight, Perth’s Steve Erceg and Tim Elliott are set to clash, while veteran middleweights Jacob Malkoun and Gerald Meerschaert will also square off.
Two more bouts have also been confirmed, with Junior Tafa taking on Kevin Christian, while Cam Rowston throws down with Robert Bryczek.
For Tuivasa, the fight shapes as a crucial opportunity to stop a worrying slide and remind fans why he was once considered one of the heavyweight division’s most dangerous KO artists.
“Bam Bam” has endured a brutal run in recent years, dropping six straight fights – the longest losing streak in UFC heavyweight history.
Once riding a wave of momentum and highlight-reel finishes, Tuivasa now finds himself under a lot of pressure to keep his spot on the roster.
At UFC Fight Night: Sydney in February, Tuivasa suffered a unanimous decision loss to towering Brazilian Tallison Teixeira.
He was controlled on the canvas for long stretches of the fight and later admitted how disappointed he was in himself.
“That hurts the soul more than any punches,” Tuivasa posted online.
“I tried, I had a great camp, looking forward to getting back in camp with the boys, so much to work on. Always big love to my supporters, especially the Aussie crowd always cheering me on, I’m sorry for falling short again.
“F***n s**t feeling ay. My poor (son) has watched me get a hiding a few too many times now but just like I always tell him, as long as you give it all you have and keep trying that’s all that matters.
“As long as I’m doing this, I will always keep trying… Khamzat Chimaev I’m coming to wrestle, brother, teach me, I am sick of this cuddle s**t.”
For Erceg, the night will carry extra significance as the Perth fighter prepares to put on a show in front of his home fans.
The last time he competed at RAC Arena, Erceg suffered a stunning knockout loss to New Zealand’s Kai Kara-France – a result he is eager to avenge.
“It will make the after-party way better – last time it was pretty crappy, to be honest,” he told The West Australian.
“Getting a win in front of your home crowd, to hear the energy when you win, would just be different. It’s not going to be the same as when Volk (Alexander Volkanovski) was in Sydney and he won against Diego Lopes, but it’ll be somewhere in that ballpark.
“I want to feel like a gladiator in the Colosseum after a win – and that’s what RAC Arena will be like.”
Meanwhile, hype for the co-main event is building as Salkilld took to social media to express just how fired up he is for his showdown with veteran contender Beneil Dariush.
“Keeping that momentum, hunting that numbered spot. Cannot wait to fight at home,” he posted over the weekend.
Former UFC champ Michael Bisping has predicted a thriller between the lightweights.
“That’s a great fight,” Bisping said during the fight announcementlast week.
“Everyone knows Beneil Dariush, the man’s a perennial contender, been around the UFC for a long time,” he said.
“On the flipside, we’ve got Quillan Salkilld, 11-1 overall and on a 10-fight win streak and of course coming off two, back-to-back first-round finishes.”
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Former champion Della Maddalena will wrap up the event with his five round bout against the fighter they call ‘The Nightmare’.
It will be Della Maddalena’s first fight since his crushing loss to superstar Islam Makhachev at New York’s Madison Square Garden in November.
The Aussie was undefeated in the UFC until that fight, having gone on an astonishing 18-win streak before losing to the current welterweight champ.
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UFC Perth lineup:
Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates
Beneil Dariush vs. Quillan Salkilld
Tai Tuivasa vs. Sean Sharaf
Tim Elliott vs. Steve Erceg
Jacob Malkoun vs. Gerald Meerschaert
Robert Bryczek vs. Cam Rowston
Kevin Christian vs. Junior Tafa