Kevin Christian is knocked out by Junior Tafa's aggression at UFC Perth.

Kevin backstage at the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC

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First Brazilian to perform at UFC Perth on the morning of this Saturday (2), Kevin Christian could not withstand the aggression of Junior Tafa and ended up being knocked out in the first round, in a fight valid for the light heavyweight category (up to 93 kg). This was the fighter's second defeat in the world's largest MMA organization. While he has yet to win in Dana White's company, Tafa has recovered from losses to Billy Elekana and Tuco Tokkos, and now has three wins in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

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Tafa's knockout power made the difference at UFC Perth.

GOT WHAT HE WAS LOOKING FOR ‼️

This #UFCPerth crowd is on their feet after this @JuniorTafa K.O.!

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- UFC (@ufc) May 2, 2026

Taller than his opponent, at two meters high, Christian tried to move laterally and control the distance against the home fighter, using jabs and low kicks, even injuring the Australian's lead leg. A striking specialist, Tafa went on the offensive with crosses and overhands, clearly creating danger for the Brazilian.

After landing a powerful left cross followed by a right overhand, the home fighter went on the offensive and took the fighter from Amazonas to the ground. Controlling the fight from the side, he connected with strong elbows that knocked the Brazilian out, forcing the referee to stop the fight at two minutes and 42 seconds of the first round. Kevin remained on the ground for several minutes even after the fight was over.

Jacob Malkoun confirms favoritism against veteran

Jacob Malkoun in victory in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram.

Biggest favorite of the night, Jacob Malkoun won Gerald meerschaert by unanimous decision in a low-stakes fight, valid for the middleweight category (up to 83,9 kg). This was the Australian's third consecutive victory in the Ultimate, another fighter to delight the crowd. On the other hand, the veteran, who did not make weight on Friday (1), accumulated his fifth consecutive defeat.

Malkoun didn't give the veteran much room and went on the offensive from the start, attacking mainly with right straights. He landed some good punches, but risked being submitted when he attempted a takedown and found himself in a guillotine choke, which Meerschaert used to reverse the position and get on top. Despite having a relatively uneventful round, the American finished the first five minutes ahead.

The Australian remained more aggressive in the second round, and despite landing some good punches, mainly with his right jab, he didn't pose much of a threat to Meerschaert, who was clearly the slower of the two fighters. Malkoun was more aggressive in the third round, feeling more comfortable throwing combinations of punches and hurting his opponent. However, the veteran still threatened him with a guillotine choke in the final seconds of the fight.

At the end of the duel, all the judges scored the fight in favor of Jacob Malkoun with a score of 29 to 28.

Alexander Volkanovski's friend wins again.

All judges see it the same 🤝

Colby Thicknesse Earn the UD tonight!

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- UFC (@ufc) May 2, 2026

training partner Alexander Volkanovsky, Colby Thicknesse won Vince Morales By unanimous decision, in the bantamweight category (up to 61,2 kg). The result marked the second consecutive victory for the Australian, who debuted in the Ultimate with a loss to Alexander Topuria, Ilia's brother. Morales, who returned to the organization in 2024, suffered his fourth consecutive defeat, putting him at great risk of being fired.

Morales started the fight intensely, landing a high volume of strikes. However, he ran a high risk of being submitted after the Australian transitioned to grappling. He took his opponent's back and executed a perfect transition to an armlock. The American showed great resilience to defend against the position and survive the first round.

The fight spent more time exchanging blows during the second round. While Morales showed more aggression and a high volume of strikes, Thicknesse moved more and took advantage of moments of vulnerability to land good counter punches on his opponent. The Australian maintained the same approach in the third round, connecting with the best attacks and making good use of his movement.

However, the course of the fight changed after Morales landed a powerful right cross that stunned his opponent and almost knocked Thichnesse out. Instead of staying on his feet, Morales opted for a grappling fight and, despite posing a threat with chokes, was unable to finish the fight.

At the end of the 15 minutes, all the judges saw the fight the same way and scored it 29 to 28 in favor of the home fighter.

American woman puts homeowner to sleep in the final round.

Wes Schults on victory at UFC Perth. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram.

In a duel valid for the middleweight category (up to 83,9 kg), Wes Schultz He overcame initial difficulties and left the octagon with a great victory by submission against ben johnston In the third fight of the night, this was the American's first victory in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). In total, he has nine professional wins, eight of which were by stoppage. For Johnston, in addition to failing to excite the crowd, he also suffered a defeat in his debut in the organization.

Schultz attempted a takedown early in the fight, but was met with excellent takedown defense from Johnston, who not only prevented the takedown but also landed on top and punished his opponent with powerful strikes from above. The American managed to get back to his feet, but ended up playing guard again, in a dynamic identical to the beginning of the fight, sealing the Australian's dominance in the first round.

The exchanges of positions in the grappling brought good moments for Schultz in the second round. The American landed a good knee to his opponent's chin and locked in good chokes with a guillotine and a triangle choke. Johnston recovered and, after defending against another guillotine choke, regained control of his opponent with strong ground and pound strikes from the top.

After hearing energized instructions from his corner, Schultz returned for the final part of the fight motivated to finish the job, and so he did. He locked in a very tight guillotine choke when the two were close to the cage, forcing the home fighter to tap out when the clock showed one minute and 50 seconds of the third round.