Despite reportedly performing poorly in ticket sales, UFC Perth (Fight Night 260) has a lot at stake for the 205-lb division. In the promotion’s fourth return to Perth, and the city’s first-ever non-numbered Fight Night event, Australian finisher Carlos Ulberg will take on the resurging former title contender Dominick Reyes in the main event. But the buck doesn’t stop there.

With stars like Alexander Volkanovski, Robert Whittaker, and Israel Adesanya absent, a new wave of Australian talent is ready to seize the spotlight. Among the new wave of fighters from the land down under, Jack Jenkins — a featherweight prospect — steps into the cage. The 13-4-0 light heavyweight isn’t headlining the card, but he is a must-watch contender. Suffering a submission loss in his last outing, Jenkins is determined to bounce back and prove his worth in the division.

What is Jack Jenkins’ ethnicity & nationality?

Australia has produced some of the greatest talents in MMA and the UFC, three of whom went on to become champions. Names like reigning featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, and current welterweight champ Jack Della Maddalena stand out as proof. Even fighters such as flyweight Steve Erceg and bantamweight Colby Thicknesse are carving out niche reputations within the promotion. Now, Jack Jenkins is adding to the fold of incredible Australian talent.

An Australian by nationality, his ethnicity remains unknown. Jenkins began his career in the country’s top regional circuits, competing for promotions like HEX and Gold Coast, Queensland-based Eternal MMA. Jenkins also holds titles such as ‘Eternal featherweight champion’ and ‘Rogue featherweight champion.’ In those promotions, he steadily built a resume that eventually earned him a spot on the Dana White Contender Series.

On his Contender Series appearance, Jenkins showcased his ground-and-pound skills against Emiliano Linares, securing a UFC contract with two impressive wins. Yet, the Australian fighter also faced setbacks, most recently suffering a submission loss via a rear-naked choke to Gabriel Santos earlier this year at UFC Sydney during UFC 312, where the Brazilian submitted the Australian standout.

Jack Jenkins’ early life, background & more

Jack Jenkins began his MMA journey inspired by someone close to him: his older brother, Ben. Without Ben’s guidance, UFC fans might never have seen Australia produce a champion-level talent. Recalling his beginnings during a Q&A session with UFC, Jenkins revealed, “My older brother Ben was fighting kickboxing when I was a kid. He took me to the gym after I watched a UFC event and told him I wanted to learn.”

Becoming an MMA fighter demanded relentless effort from Jenkins. He woke up early for 7–10 km runs, then hit the mats for grappling training at 10 a.m. After lunch, he focused on striking, sharpening his skills in boxing and Muay Thai. He constantly rotated between disciplines and added strength and conditioning sessions several times a week.

This grueling routine shaped Jenkins into the fighter he is today. Alongside his father, he idolizes former UFC champion Daniel Cormier. Even as an adult, balancing night shifts at a bar, Jenkins stayed committed — training during the day and pursuing his MMA dream with unwavering focus. This week at UFC Perth, Jenkins faces a do-or-die moment. Can he bounce back and make a statement in front of his home crowd? Share your thoughts below.