Rookie Report Card: Grading all Octagon newcomers UFC Perth post-mortem

An overflowing cardboard recycling dumpster, Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

You only get one Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) debut!

Three rookies made their first walks to the Octagon this past weekend (Sat., May 2, 2026) at UFC Perth inside RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia — and it couldn’t have gone much worse as the newcomers went 0-3.

Now that the dust has settled, let’s grade their performances (spoiler: nobody passed).

Ollie Schmid

Ollie Schmid was one of the more puzzling signings in recent memory, entering at just 4-2 when several more established prospects were available.

Thrown into the fire against Marwan Rahiki, Schmid looked completely outmatched from the jump. Rahiki came out firing with relentless pressure — mixing spinning attacks, overhands, and constant forward movement — while Schmid spent most of the fight reacting.

He managed just nine significant strikes, six of them leg kicks, before Rahiki closed the show with a knockout (watch highlights)

It was one-way traffic from start to finish.

Given the performance, Schmid should be on the chopping block — though stepping in on short notice and making weight may earn him one more opportunity.

He can take on Joo Sang Yoo if he gets another fight.

Final grade: F

Ben Johnston

Ben Johnston thought his UFC dreams were over, so he retired and went into coaching, but then, out of the blue, when one of his students couldn’t fight at UFC Perth, the UFC called him for a fight.

It was a feel-good story on paper — but the result didn’t match the narrative.

Early on, Johnston actually showed promise. He stuffed Wes Schultz’s initial takedown, reversed position, and spent the majority of Round 1 on top, landing ground-and-pound and defending submissions. He continued to control large portions of Round 2 as well, racking up over eight minutes of ground control through two frames.

But he couldn’t capitalize.

In Round 3, Schultz stuck to the script, jumping on a guillotine — and this time, he finally got the finish. It was a very winnable fight for Johnston, which makes the loss sting more.

Johnston was a weird signing at 35 years old. It was a heartwarming story, and I’m all for him actually getting a 12/12k payday compared to getting paid peanuts on the regional scene, but he’s probably not going to win a fight in the UFC.

He can fight Robert Valentin for his second UFC outing.

Final grade: D-

Dom Mar Fan

Dom Mar Fan earned his contract via Road to UFC Season 4 but was given a brutal welcome in his debut against grappling specialist Kody Steele.

Fan started by probing with his jab, but was quickly taken down with authority. Steele advanced position, hunted submissions, and eventually capitalized when Fan attempted a scramble — locking in a heel hook for the quick tap (watch highlights).

Fan never got the chance to show anything because he got tackled, and that was it.

Despite the loss, he may still have the most upside of the trio. With more favorable matchmaking, he could stick around and deliver some entertaining fights.

He can take on Darrius Flowers next.

Final grade: F