In September, the UFC made a return to Australia for a highly anticipated fight night in Perth, but for Jonathan Micallef, the excitement quickly turned into disappointment. Just days before his scheduled fight against Oban Elliott, Micallef learned that his opponent had to withdraw due to an injury. This last-minute change left the Australian fighter feeling devastated, as he had devoted extensive time and effort preparing for the match.
“I’m honestly not one to get very emotional, but that definitely hit the emotion strings,” Micallef shared, reflecting on the profound impact of the cancellation. He emphasized the dedication that not only he but also his family and friends invested in his training, making it hard to accept the lost opportunity to showcase his skills in front of a home crowd.
Despite the setback, Micallef chose to view the situation through a positive lens. Recognizing the lessons learned through training, he noted, “I’m still so young and it’s just another thing that I’m just adding to the experience. You know, every time we go out and do a rep it’s experience gained. So I’ve got to take it with stride and see the benefits of it.”
A pivotal moment came when Micallef spoke with former UFC champion Dominick Cruz during fight week. Cruz’s encouraging words helped Micallef shift his mindset. “He was sort of like, ‘dude, you’ve got your health, you got all these things, use this as a holiday and get back to it,’” Micallef recounted. This conversation provided him with newfound perspective, allowing him to embrace the unexpected downtime.
Now, as the UFC returns to Australia for another event this weekend, Micallef is once again set to face Elliott. After dedicating significant preparation towards their matchup over the past year, Micallef is eager to finally compete. “Finally, we get to put an end on that and put a full stop in there. Hopefully with a 50 K bonus this time,” he said, confidently predicting a victory via a d’arce choke.
Fans can catch Micallef in action during the prelims of UFC 325, which starts at 5 PM EST and will be available for viewing on Paramount+. With his resolve to make the most of this opportunity, Micallef is ready to turn the page on a chapter of adversity and step back into the spotlight.