UFC Perth delivered more than just spectacular knockouts and title implications – it served as a proving ground for four fighters making their octagon debuts. In a sport where first impressions can make or break careers, these newcomers faced the ultimate test under the bright lights of the RAC Arena. Here's how each rookie fared in their baptism by fire.

**BRANDO PERICIC (Heavyweight) - Grade: A+**

The towering Croatian heavyweight announced his arrival in devastating fashion, demolishing Elisha Ellison in just 1:47 of the opening round. At 6'5" with a frame that seems built for violence, Pericic showcased the kind of raw power that heavyweight divisions crave.

From the opening exchange, Pericic established his dominance with thunderous leg kicks that had Ellison wobbling like a newborn giraffe. When the fight hit the ground, the City Kickboxing product displayed a vicious ground-and-pound attack that left no doubt about the outcome. The finishing sequence – a brutal overhand right followed by punishing ground strikes – was the stuff of highlight reels.

What makes Pericic's debut even more impressive is the composure he showed. There were no rookie jitters, no hesitation when the moment arrived to finish. This is a fighter who understood the assignment and executed it with clinical precision. While still raw around the edges, the potential here is enormous. In a heavyweight division desperate for fresh blood, Pericic looks like he could be fast-tracked to bigger fights.

**MICHELLE MONTAGUE (Bantamweight) - Grade: B**

History was made when Michelle Montague became the first woman from New Zealand to compete in the UFC, and she didn't disappoint in her unanimous decision victory over Luana Carolina. Montague's game plan was simple yet effective: take down, control, repeat.

Round after round, Montague showcased her grappling superiority, dragging Carolina to the canvas with the determination of a woman who knew exactly what she needed to do. Her top control was suffocating, and her ability to maintain dominant positions while landing meaningful ground strikes showed a maturity beyond her octagon experience.

While her striking still needs work and she was content to grind out the victory rather than hunt for the finish, Montague demonstrated the kind of fundamental skills that translate well to UFC competition. Her conditioning held up over three rounds, and she never allowed Carolina to establish any meaningful offense.

The bantamweight division is notoriously competitive, but Montague's wrestling-heavy approach gives her a clear path to success. With some refinement to her finishing ability and continued development of her striking, she could become a legitimate contender in one of the UFC's deepest divisions.

**CAM ROWSTON (Middleweight) - Grade: A**

Perhaps no rookie made a more impressive statement than Cam Rowston, who erased the memory of his disappointing Contender Series performance with a spectacular TKO of Andre Petroski. The Australian middleweight showed remarkable evolution in just a few months, displaying the kind of technical improvements that separate prospects from contenders.

Rowston's left hook was the story of the fight – a check hook so perfectly timed and placed that it sent Petroski crashing to the canvas in a heap. But it wasn't just the knockout that impressed; it was the patience and setup that preceded it. Rowston showed improved footwork, better defensive awareness, and most importantly, the killer instinct to capitalize when the opportunity presented itself.

The transformation from his previous performance was remarkable. Where once there was hesitation, now there was confidence. Where there were technical flaws, now there was polish. This is what proper coaching and dedicated training can accomplish when applied to natural talent.

At 185 pounds, Rowston enters one of the UFC's most talent-rich divisions, but his debut performance suggests he belongs. The knockout power is clearly there, and if he continues to develop at this rate, he could be a serious problem for established middleweights.

**ELISHA ELLISON (Heavyweight) - Grade: F**

Unfortunately, not every debut story has a happy ending. Elisha Ellison's UFC introduction was a nightmare scenario that raises serious questions about whether he belongs at this level. Knocked out in under two minutes by Pericic, Ellison showed little of the skill or heart typically required for UFC competition.

From the opening bell, Ellison appeared overwhelmed by the moment and the level of competition. His striking looked rudimentary, his defensive awareness was non-existent, and when the fight hit the ground, he had no answers for Pericic's aggression. The speed of his demise was shocking even by heavyweight standards.

While one fight doesn't define a career, and heavyweights can have long careers even after rough starts, Ellison's performance suggested he may have been promoted to the UFC prematurely. The gulf in class between him and Pericic was evident from the first exchange, and that's concerning when both fighters are supposed to be at a similar level.

For Ellison to survive in the UFC, he'll need to show dramatic improvements in his next outing. The heavyweight division may be thin, but it's not desperate enough to carry fighters who aren't ready for the octagon's bright lights.

**THE VERDICT**

Three out of four isn't a bad success rate for UFC debuts, and the performances of Pericic, Montague, and Rowston suggest that Perth delivered some legitimate future contenders. Each showed different paths to success – raw power, fundamental excellence, and technical evolution – but all demonstrated they belong on the sport's biggest stage.

The UFC's talent scouting continues to evolve, and nights like Perth prove that when they get it right, they get it very right. These rookies have passed their first test, but in the unforgiving world of the UFC, every fight is a new examination.