UFC Fight Night: Shamil Gaziev vs Brando Pericic Preview & Prediction
Click here to read our latest predictions for MVP MMA: Rousey vs Carano!
The second heavyweight tilt on the main card sees a potential changing of the guard moment, with Brando Pericic poised to throw down against Shamil Gaziev.
Shamil Gaziev vs Brando Pericic facts
What time are Shamil Gaziev and Brando Pericic expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs Prates? RAC Arena, Perth, Australia
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs Prates? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 275
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs Prates on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs Prates? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs Prates main card
Jack Della Maddalena vs Carlos Prates (Welterweight)
Beneil Dariush vs Quillan Salkilld (Lightweight)
Tim Elliott vs Steve Erceg (Flyweight)
Marwan Rahiki vs Ollie Schmid (Featherweight)
Shamil Gaziev vs Brando Pericic (Heavyweight)
Tai Tuivasa vs Louie Sutherland (Heavyweight)
UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs Prates prelims
Cameron Rowston vs Robert Bryczek (Middleweight)
Junior Tafa vs Kevin Christian (Light Heavyweight)
Jacob Malkoun vs Gerald Meerschaert (Middleweight)
Colby Thicknesse vs Vince Morales (Bantamweight)
Ben Johnston vs Wesley Schultz (Middleweight)
Jonathan Micallef vs Themba Gorimbo (Welterweight)
Dom Mar Fan vs Kody Steele (Lightweight)
Shamil Gaziev: Can "The Blob" rebound from a harrowing KO defeat last time out?
A nasty KO defeat to Waldo Cortes-Acosta last time out snapped a two fight win streak for Shamil Gaziev (14-2), his first run of consecutive victories since coughing up his “0” to Jairzinho Rozenstruik back in 2024. Affectionately nicknamed “The Blob” by large swathes of the UFC fandom, the Bahraini Contender Series graduate is primarily a boxer, leaning on what is typically a large edge in size and reach to land concussive shots with his hands. However, his potential in the promotion has yet to be established considering the fairly mediocre caliber of opposition that he’s been able to beat to date; Gaziev has victories over Martin Buday, Don’Tale Mayes, and Thomas Peterson.
Brando Pericic: "The Balkan Bear" looks for the biggest win of his young career
The latest impressive prospect out of City Kickboxing, Brando Pericic (6-1) looks to be serious problem at heavyweight. Enormous even for heavyweight at 6’5 with a 79.5” reach, “The Balkan Bear” has a 100% finishing rate across seven fights as a pro to date, closing the distance aggressively to bomb his opponents with huge shots. While he’s still undoubtedly raw given his relative inexperience, the 31 year old Aussie had little in the way of adversity throughout his UFC run to date, disposing of Elisha Ellison and Louie Sutherland via TKO in less than a round combined.
Shamil Gaziev vs Brando Pericic prediction
Dare I say that we have another exciting prospect in the sparse landscape of the heavyweight division? Pericic looks to be quite a promising up-and-comer, an enormous heavyweight boasting a well-rounded skillset to complement a propensity for nasty finishes.
However, make no mistake; this will be the toughest fight of his young career by a significant stretch. Gaziev is such a memeable character that it often distracts from the fact that he’s actually quite a good MMA fighter, with a significant edge in overall experience heading into this one. He’s only ever lost to ranked level competition in the form of Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Jairzinho Rozenstruik, while Pericic has yet to categorically prove that he belongs at this level.
With that being said, I’m still picking him here. Not only does Pericic have the size and power advantage here, but he’s the more prolific and opportunistic finisher of the pair. Gaziev is a tough test and this could well be the fight that pumps the brakes on Pericic’s rise, but the pick is still for “The Balkan Bear” to earn a stoppage and the biggest win of his career to date.
Prediction: Brando Pericic to win by TKO
