Brando Peričić Record: 7-1-0

UFC arrival

Peričić wasted no time announcing himself on the big stage. In his September 2025 debut he knocked out Elisha Ellison with punches in the first round, then followed up in March 2026 with another first-round TKO, this time stopping Louie Sutherland. Two emphatic finishes to open a UFC career is exactly the kind of start that fast-tracks a heavyweight, and it set up his most significant test to date.

Statement win

In May 2026 Peričić faced the dangerous Shamil Gaziev, a 14-2 heavyweight, and delivered his biggest scalp yet, scoring a second-round knockout by punches. The result pushed his record to 7-1 and confirmed that his power carries against established competition, not just regional opposition — a meaningful step up that hinted at a contender's ceiling.

Fighting style

Peričić is a knockout artist built around heavy hands and the leverage of a 6'5" frame. Every one of his seven wins has come by stoppage — six by knockout or TKO and one by submission — for a 100% finish rate, and his City Kickboxing refinement shows in the way he sets up his power rather than simply swinging for it. His grappling has improved enough to add a rear-naked choke to the highlight reel, but the honest caveat is on the mat: his only defeat came by submission, the area opponents will most want to drag the towering striker into. Keep the fight standing, and he is among the most threatening finishers in the division.

Career highlights

• Perfect finish rate — all seven career wins have ended inside the distance, six by knockout or TKO, reflecting elite heavyweight power.
• Statement win over Gaziev — knocked out 14-2 heavyweight Shamil Gaziev in the second round to validate his power against ranked-caliber opposition.
• City Kickboxing's first UFC heavyweight — the Croatian-Australian striker opened his UFC run with back-to-back first-round finishes of Elisha Ellison and Louie Sutherland.