Carlos Ulberg didn’t waste any time putting a stamp on his first UFC main event against Dominick Reyes on Saturday night at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. The surging Kiwi contender extended his impressive win streak to nine straight, stopping the previously resurgent two-time title challenger Reyes with punches in Round 1 at UFC Perth to earn the likely next shot at the UFC light heavyweight title.

Ulberg (12-1) effectively controlled the short fight for as long as it lasted, bouncing lightly around the Octagon and finding a comfortable range. Reyes (15-5), on the other hand, was unable to track his opponent and ultimately an attempt to aggressively push inward and make something happen cost him in the form of a perfect counter one-two from Ulberg. Reyes instantly plummeted to the mat, and after a brutal Ulberg follow-up punch landed, the referee leapt in to halt the action at 4:27 of the opening round.

The win puts Ulberg closer to his first career title shot than ever ahead of the title rematch between UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev and former champ Alex Pereira at UFC 320 next Saturday. Also on that card is a big 205-pound contender fight between Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr.

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Ulberg stated after his win that he plans to attend UFC 320 in order to secure his title shot.

As for Reyes, he’ll once again have to return to the drawing board after seeing his latest win streak snapped in highlight-reel fashion. The two-time UFC title challenger had strung together three consecutive finishes heading into UFC Perth, improbably rebounding from a rough four-fight skid that followed his infamous encounter with Jon Jones in 2020.

In Saturday’s co-main event, Australian fan-favorite Jimmy Crute (14-4-2) continued to show off his newfound submission abilities by putting away Ivan Erslan (14-6) in the opening round of a light heavyweight affair.

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The Aussie took his opponent to the mat and methodically worked his way to the back before scoring a somewhat bizarre, pro-wrestling-esque neck crank. Crute has now won back-to-back contests for the first time in five years.

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In total, 10 of the 11 Oceania fighters competing a UFC Perth emerged victorious.

Ulberg, Crute, Tom Nolan and Brando Pericic all earned $50,000 Performance of the Night bonuses. No Fight of the Night bonus was handed out.

Check out complete UFC Perth results and highlights below, as well as Uncrowned’s round-by-round play-by-play of the main event.

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Main card

Light heavyweight: Carlos Ulberg def. Dominick Reyes via knockout (punches) at 4:27 of R1 | Watch highlight

Light heavyweight: Jimmy Crute def. Ivan Erslan via submission (neck crank) at 3:19 of R1 | Watch highlight

Featherweight: Jack Jenkins def. Ramon Taveras via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Welterweight: Neil Magny def. Jake Matthews via submission (d’arce choke) at 3:08 of R3 | Watch highlight

Lightweight: Tom Nolan def. Charlie Campbell via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:08 of R1 | Watch highlight

Preliminary card

Light heavyweight: Navajo Stirling def. Rodolfo Bellato via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

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Middleweight: Cameron Rowston def. Andre Petroski via TKO (punches) at 2:41 of R1 | Watch highlight

Lightweight: Jamie Mullarkey def. Rolando Bedoya via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Bantamweight: Colby Thicknesse def. Josias Musasa via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Women’s bantamweight: Michelle Montague def. Luana Carolina via unanimous decision (29-26, 30-25, 30-26)

Heavyweight: Brando Peričić def. Elisha Ellison via knockout (punches) at 1:55 of R1 | Watch highlight

Strawweight: Alexia Thainara def. Loma Lookboonmee via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)