Australian-Croatian Brando Peričić to fight in UFC
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
(Photo: Brando Peričić/Instagram)
Australian-Croatian fighter Brando Peričić (31) has signed for the UFC.
Peričić, nicknamed Balkan Bear, will make his UFC debut on 27 September at UFC Fight Night 260 in Perth.
He will face fellow debutant Elishea Ellison (28), who holds a 5-1 professional record.
Peričić brings a 4-1 record into the bout. His last fight came in November 2023, when he claimed victory over Orion Kenny by technical knockout.
He will be the second Croatian representative on the card, joining Ivan Erslan, who is scheduled to meet Jimmy Crute on the same night.
This marks a significant moment for Croatian MMA, as the country will now have four fighters linked with the UFC: Erslan, Peričić, Ante Delija and Đani Barbir.
Although born in Australia, Peričić often highlights his Croatian heritage. He has trained with former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in the past, and for his UFC debut he began preparations in Las Vegas before moving to New Zealand for the final stages of his training camp.
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For years, Croatia’s presence in the UFC was limited, with heavyweight legend Stipe Miočić, competing under the American flag, being the only connection at the sport’s highest level.
That picture has begun to change in recent years.
Ivan Erslan has already fought twice in the UFC and continues his journey in the light heavyweight division.
Ante Delija, the 2022 PFL champion, is set to make his UFC debut soon. Đani Barbir has signed for Dana White’s Contender Series.
And now, Brando Peričić joins the growing Croatian contingent on the world’s biggest MMA stage.
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Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipović, Igor Pokrajac, Goran Reljić and Filip Pejić also have fought in the UFC. Pat Miletich is another fighter with Croatian roots who made an impact in the sport.
