Marwan Rakhiki (1-0 UFC) will face Oliver Schmid (4-2, UFC debut) at UFC Perth this weekend in the featherweight division. Schmid is stepping in on short notice to replace Jack Jenkins, who has withdrawn from the card. The Australian fighter is making his UFC debut under challenging circumstances. No specific reason was given for Jenkins's withdrawal. The bout was confirmed by Australian MMA sources.
Marwan Rakhiki will step into the octagon at UFC Perth this weekend opposite Oliver Schmid in a featherweight contest, after a late change to the card forced organizers to find a replacement opponent.
Schmid, who carries a 4-2 professional record, will make his UFC debut under short-notice circumstances after Jack Jenkins withdrew from the scheduled bout. No reason was given for Jenkins's withdrawal. Taking a fight on short notice against an opponent already on the UFC roster represents a steep ask for any debut, and Schmid will be looking to make an immediate impression on Australian soil.
Rakhiki enters the bout at 1-0 inside the UFC, looking to build on his promotional record in what would be his second octagon appearance in the featherweight division.
Jenkins, the man Schmid replaces, is a 32-year-old Australian fighter out of Absolute Mixed Martial Arts who carries a 14-4 professional record. Standing five-foot-seven with a 68-inch reach, the switch-stance veteran had been among the more active strikers in his division, averaging 4.48 significant strikes landed per minute at a 61 percent striking accuracy rate. He also averaged nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a well-rounded threat. His absence leaves a notable gap on the card for Australian fans who would have followed his progress closely.
Why it matters
- Schmid steps in on short notice for his UFC debut, a difficult assignment that could define his early promotional standing
- Rakhiki looks to go 2-0 in the UFC and strengthen his position in the featherweight division
- Jenkins's withdrawal removes one of Australia's more experienced featherweights from a home-crowd card, with no timeline given for his return
