Perth fighter Anthony Drilich falls short of becoming fifth West Australian to join UFC

Perth fighter Anthony Drilich has missed out on a UFC contract after losing to fellow Australian Sean Gauci in week nine of the Dana White Contender Series on Wednesday morning.

Drilich (8-2) was beaten by Queenslander Gauci (10-1) by unanimous decision in a three-round fight to kick off the card in Las Vegas.

The West Australian won the first round according to all three judges, but was beaten across the next two with Gauci’s power on full display.

Neither fighter was handed a contract by UFC president Dana White despite their efforts, leaving both to return to Australia empty handed.

It’s a small blow for the talented Drilich, who had won his past six fights leading into the bout and holds the EMMA Flyweight Championship.

“A very technical fight, both you guys very technical and I think you both have a future in this sport,” White said.

“I was not blown away tonight. You (Gauci) and your opponent have a future just not tonight brother.”

It comes weeks after fellow West Australian’s Cody Haddon (7-1) and Quillan Salkilld (7-1) both earned contracts in this series.

Haddon will make his official UFC debut on Sunday when he steps into the Octagon against American “The Determined” Dan Argueta (9-2) in a three-round bantamweight fight on the preliminary card of the UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas.

“It’s an opportunity I couldn’t refuse. I didn’t want my first impression with the UFC offering me a fight, to turn it down,” Haddon told The West Australian last month..

“I might have gone to the back of the queue or they might not have matched me up until next year and I didn’t want that.