Sean Strickland made comments about Francis Ngannou and carrying a weapon. Carlos Prates and Jack Maddalena had their first face-off, with observers noting Prates' size and questioning how he makes the welterweight limit given his frame and dietary habits. Shamil Gaziev reportedly weighed around 140kg recently ahead of UFC Perth in Australia, where recovery time is reduced. Arman Tsarukyan revealed that the UFC recently sent him a $42,000 bonus without explanation, speculating it might be related to his social media activity, and joked about his manager wanting a cut. The post notes Australia's time zone presents additional challenges for weight cutting and recovery.
Several notable stories are circulating ahead of UFC Perth, covering comments from a sitting champion, a heavyweight's eye-catching weight report, an unusual bonus payment, and the first face-off between two welterweight contenders.
Sean Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, made public comments referencing Francis Ngannou and the subject of carrying a weapon. The 35-year-old American, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, holds a 31-7-0 professional record and is one of the division's most active strikers, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute. Strickland is known for candid and often provocative remarks, and this latest round of comments has drawn fresh attention online.
Carlos Prates and Jack Maddalena squared off for the first time ahead of their welterweight contest, and observers were quick to note the physical impression Prates made. Questions have been raised about how he is able to meet the 170-pound limit given his frame and reported dietary habits. Maddalena, ranked fourth in the welterweight division and thirteenth pound-for-pound, carries an 18-4-0 record and lands 5.57 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy. The 29-year-old Australian is fighting in front of a home crowd in Perth.
Shamil Gaziev, the number 11 ranked heavyweight, was reported to weigh approximately 140 kilograms in the lead-up to the event. The 36-year-old from Bahrain stands six-foot-four with a 78-inch reach and owns a 14-3-0 record. The report highlights a logistical concern particular to Australian events: the time zone compresses recovery windows for fighters who need to cut significant weight before their bouts.
Why it matters
- Australia's scheduling and time zone create tighter weight-cut and recovery timelines than most other UFC locations
- Maddalena, fighting at home in Perth, is ranked inside the welterweight top five and holds a pound-for-pound ranking, giving the Prates matchup real divisional weight
- Gaziev's reported pre-fight mass adds to broader conversations about heavyweight weight management at international events
Separately, lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan revealed the UFC sent him an unexpected $42,000 bonus, with no formal explanation attached. Tsarukyan speculated publicly that the payment may be connected to his social media presence, and joked that his manager had already taken notice.
