UFC Perth Newcomers Review: Evaluating the Performance of All Octagon Rookies

The UFC rolled into Perth with a fresh batch of rookies ready to make their mark on the Octagon, and man, did they deliver drama and fireworks! Four fresh faces plunged headfirst into the unforgiving spotlight at the RAC Arena, and three of them left without a scratch on their record. From devastating knockouts to grappling masterclasses, UFC Perth 2025 stood as a brutal stage to sift the wheat from the chaff among the newcomers.

Australia’s own heavyweight powerhouse Brando “The Balkan Bear” Pericic didn’t just dip his toes into the UFC waters—he cannonballed in and sent Elisha Ellison to dreamland in under two minutes with devastating ground-and-pound. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Michelle Montague broke new ground as the first Kiwi woman in the UFC cage, showing relentless pressure and grappling grit against Brazil’s Luana Carolina. And then there’s Cam Rowston, dubbed “Battle Giraffe,” who turned his previous setbacks into a head-turning knockout on the Perth card, proving he’s more than just a grappling specialist.

Of course, not all fairy tales went smoothly under the bright lights—Elisha Ellison came up short, dropping a beat to Pericic in his debut. But hey, in a division as thin as heavyweight, that might just mean another shot at redemption. So, as the Octagon dust settles, it’s time to dissect these rookie performances, examine their game, and highlight who might just climb the brutal ladder of UFC stardom—or get lost in the shuffle.

Power and Poise: Brando Pericic’s Explosive Heavyweight Debut

When you hear “heavyweight,” you expect the cage to shake, jaws to drop, and for one guy to either dominate or get flattened. Brando Pericic made sure it was the former. Skipping the usual Contender Series runway, “The Balkan Bear” jumped straight to the UFC spotlight and slapped Elisha Ellison silly in less than two minutes—no warm-up, no apologies. The power he flashed in the Octagon? Reminiscent of a sledgehammer with a VIP pass.

Pericic’s style is raw but brutally effective. Standing tall at 6’5” with a frame that screams “I’m here to wreck shop,” Brando mixed surprising agility with punishing kicks to measure range before unloading a devastating overhand right that kicked off the takedown storm. Once on the ground, his ground-and-pound was relentless, pounding Ellison like a kid angry about losing video games—a mesmerizing blend of force and precision.

Now, don’t be fooled by his “only” 5-1 record—Pericic is still a diamond with a few rough edges. His wrestling is sturdy enough to defend takedowns (if his defense were Wi-Fi at Starbucks, it’d get five stars despite occasional glitches), and his clinch work shows the promise of a bully who knows how to mash an opponent up against the cage. But there’s still work to do, especially in refining technical striking and pacing himself better across rounds—his gas tank currently blinks out like a dying lighthouse bulb after extended action.

A slick referral for a sophomore UFC outing? Matching Pericic against seasoned striker Kennedy Nzechukwu would be a hell of a measuring stick. If Pericic manages to impose his bulldozing style on “The Menace,” we might just have a heavyweight who could make the division forget its thinness in 2025.

Michelle Montague: New Zealand’s Iron Lady Makes First UFC Waves

Michelle Montague didn’t just walk into the cage; she stomped in with the force of a cyclone and the calculation of a sharp-eyed chess grandmaster. As the first Kiwi woman to grace the UFC Octagon, Montague bore the weight of history and pressure, but handled it like a seasoned gladiator, crushing Brazil’s Luana Carolina in a dominant unanimous decision that screamed “I’m not here to play nice.”

Montague’s game is a textbook case of using grappling as a battering ram. She dragged Carolina to the mat every chance she got, smothering her with elbows and relentless ground control. Her striking? Let’s just say it’s a work in progress—like a kid trying to land punches in a room full of breakable vases. But make no mistake, her wrestling and ground-and-pound made it clear she’s the real deal, managing the fight pace like a boss and even shrugging off a couple of nasty shots and an illegal upkick.

This relentless pursuit of dominance reminds one of her teammate Kayla Harrison’s “take down, smash, repeat” formula—less champagne and caviar, more bruises and broken spirits. Montague may have snapped her perfect finish streak, but what she showcased was endurance, discipline, and a fierce heart that could quickly turn her into a ranked contender in a division desperate for fresh faces.

Who’s next for her? Nora Cornolle from France seems the perfect contender to test Montague’s bantamweight credentials. If “The Iron Lady” can adapt her stand-up and keep grinding the ground game, she might just become the gritty underdog the division needs to shake things up.

Cam Rowston: The “Battle Giraffe” Bowls Over Middleweight Competition

Call him what you will—“Battle Giraffe” fits just right for a lanky kid who’s transforming into a UFC middleweight wrecking ball. Cam Rowston’s path has been a rollercoaster, from getting dominated on Contender Series to getting a contract-winning knockout just weeks ago, then cautioning his UFC debut with a perfect finishing flourish on the Perth card.

Against Andre Petroski, Rowston used that towering frame to his advantage, smartly controlling distance and weathering some leg kicks like a champ. Then bam—one left hook dropped Petroski like a sack of potatoes, and Rowston pounced on the floor to rain down a ruthless ground-and-pound assault until the ref mercifully stepped in.

What’s fascinating here is Rowston’s evolution. Known primarily as a grappler, he’s now flashing surprising knockout power and striking precision—a dangerous cocktail that opponents will have to prepare for carefully in the future. Sure, his regional competition might have resembled a lineup of ragdolls, but stepping into the UFC spotlight means he’s finally facing real tests and, so far, passing with flying colors.

Next up? Cody Brundage would be a solid choice to pit Rowston’s improving stand-up and grappling blend against another tough middleweight. If “Battle Giraffe” keeps this momentum, the middleweight division better watch out.

Elisha Ellison’s Rocky Octagon Entrance: What Went Wrong?

Skipping the Contender Series and jumping headfirst into the UFC feels like trying to swim laps in a shark tank—just ask Elisha Ellison. Facing off against Brando Pericic, the Aussie rookie found himself flat on the canvas faster than a blink thanks to a ruthless ground assault. It was abrupt, brutal, and heartbreaking for the fighter who showed flashes of offense but ultimately couldn’t withstand the Balkan Bear’s onslaught.

At 0-1 in the Octagon, Ellison’s UFC future is hanging by a thread thinner than his defense on takedowns. His quick double leg attempt was stuffed early and he showed little to no adjustments thereafter, making him look like a deer caught in headlights. However, given the division’s shallow pool, the UFC brass might just hand him one more lifeline—maybe a high-stakes “Loser Leaves Town” showdown against Austen Lane could be the drama needed either to redeem or send him packing.

Ellison’s story reminds us all of how unforgiving the UFC can be: one shot to prove you’re a contender. It’s brutal, but that’s the beast we love. He’ll need to patch holes in his game and fast if he wants to survive the heavyweight grind.

Grading the UFC Perth Newcomers: Official Performance Breakdown

Sorting through these fresh talents shows not just who got lucky or unlucky but who brought something real to the cage and who still looks like a rookie fumbling in the dark. Here’s a no-nonsense breakdown of each newcomer’s UFC Perth performance with grades that don’t sugarcoat the truth:

Fighter	Record After UFC Perth	Key Performance Traits	Grade	Potential Next Opponent
Brando Pericic	5-1	Domineering ground-and-pound, takedown defense, heavy kicks	A-	Kennedy Nzechukwu
Michelle Montague	UFC debut	Persistent grappling, solid cardio, amateur striking	B+	Nora Cornolle
Cam Rowston	UFC debut	Height advantage, knockout power, improved striking	B	Cody Brundage
Elisha Ellison	0-1	Limited offense, poor takedown defense	D	Austen Lane (Loser Leaves Town)

Let’s break down the winners’ essentials in a neat list because who doesn’t love a good checklist to keep tabs on future stars:

• Powerful striking with smart setup: Brando Pericic’s lethal overhand proved decisive.
• Relentless grappling pressure: Michelle Montague’s mastery on the mat controlled the pace and outcome.
• Evolution out of comfort zone: Cam Rowston’s blending of striking into a grappler’s arsenal.

One thing’s for sure—these rookies didn’t just put on a show; they made statements. Whether it’s smashing through divisions or surviving the cage jungle, Perth’s newcomers sent a clear message: the future of UFC is as unpredictable as ever and full of hungry beasts ready to claim their spot.