Colby Thicknesse

Colby Thicknesse is an Australian bantamweight on a clear upward trajectory in the UFC. The 26-year-old "Slickness" spent his entire fighting career in the orbit of Alex Volkanovski, training alongside the former UFC Bantamweight Champion since age 13 at Freestyle MMA in Australia. A wrestler from childhood and BJJ black belt since 2022, Thicknesse has built a professional record of 9-1 with two victories by knockout, two by submission, and an impressive four first-round finishes. He made his UFC debut in February 2025 on short notice against Aleksandre Topuria at UFC 312, competing in front of a hostile crowd but delivering a competitive effort in a close unanimous decision loss. Rather than discourage him, that debut propelled him forward: he rebounded at UFC Perth in September 2025 with a dominant unanimous decision over Josias Musasa, earning his first UFC victory at home in Australia, and followed it with another win over Vince Morales in May 2026.

Thicknesse fights as a technical grappler with lethal submissions and measured striking efficiency. His game plan centers on positional control and footwork rather than volume striking; he lands significant strikes from distance and the ground at a sustainable pace (3.24 per minute landed, 2.93 absorbed) and has shown strong defensive instincts in the takedown department. What sets him apart is his finishing power: four of his nine professional wins came in the opening round, and his combination of submissions and knockouts suggests he has multiple paths to victory.

At 26 with 10-12 years of prime fighting ahead, Thicknesse is hungry and specific about his ambitions. He's openly stated his goal to rack up Performance of the Night bonuses, earn finishes, and one day share a card with Volkanovski. His connection to the Australian fighting community and his proven willingness to fight on short notice and travel make him a reliable main-card option. He represents the next wave of elite Australian bantamweights, grounded in legitimate grappling pedigree and driven by proximity to one of the sport's most successful recent champions.