Scheduled for this weekend (Sat., Sept. 28, 2025) from the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, the latest UFC “Fight Night” event was never intended to be the most talent-rich card. At one point, there were 15-fights scheduled for the event, but this was a case of quantity over quality. Outside of the main event — an excellent Light Heavyweight clash pitting former title challenger Dominick Reyes vs. rising contender Carlos Ulberg — the event is filled up with names unknown to most fight fans.
All told, the fight card is a far cry from UFC’s most recent visit to Perth, which saw Dricus Du Plessis defend his Middleweight crown versus Israel Adesanya in August 2024 at UFC 305. Over 14,000 fight fans attended UFC 305, but this latest return to Perth is struggling to garner the same attention. Per a report from 7 News Australia, the event has only sold half of the available seats and is cutting prices on tickets as a result.
“The [Western Australian] governments financial investment in cage fighting is in question tonight,” began 7 News Australia presenter Rick Ardon. “With poor ticket sales to a UFC event this weekend. UFC ‘Fight Night’ is being staged at RAC Arena, but the venue is only about half full, and tickets are now being discounted.”
Reporter Geoff Parry added on, “The response to UFC’s return visit to Perth this year has been disappointing, not the sellout of previous years.”
Ardon mentioned an important point to consider for the UFC: site fees. In 2024, UFC signed a deal with the Western Australia tourism board to bring multiple events to Perth. Though official numbers were not released, the state of New South Wales paid $16 million to bring four UFC events to Sydney over four years back in 2023 for some context.
UFC will make that site fee money regardless of how well tickets sell, so the promotion likely isn’t too bothered by a slower turnout at a card largely staffed by relatively cheap Oceanic fighters.
For the complete UFC Perth card, click here.
