Carlos Prates Stuns Jack Della Maddalena in UFC Perth Main Event
Prates won by third-round TKO, handing the former champion his first stoppage loss in a decade.
Carlos Prates defeated Jack Della Maddalena by third-round stoppage in the main event of UFC Perth on May 2, 2026, at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. The fight ended with Della Maddalena being stopped by strikes.
Event Details
The fight headlined a UFC Fight Night card, titled 'UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena v Prates'. The schedule featured:
- Prelims: 4pm local time (6pm AEST)
- Main card: 7pm local time (9pm AEST)
- Main event: Scheduled for five rounds
Peter Kloczko, Senior Vice President of UFC Australia and New Zealand, stated an expectation for high ticket demand and significant viewership across Australia.
Fighter Backgrounds
Jack Della Maddalena entered the fight as a former UFC welterweight champion. This was his first bout since losing his title to Islam Makhachev by unanimous decision in November 2025 at UFC 322 in New York. Prior to that loss, Della Maddalena held an undefeated record in the UFC, including a championship win against Belal Muhammad.
Carlos Prates entered the fight on a two-fight win streak following his only UFC loss to Ian Machado Garry by decision in April 2025. His recent victories included consecutive wins against former welterweight champion Leon Edwards (by knockout in November 2024) and Geoff Neal.
Prates joined the UFC in 2024 and has recorded knockouts in his first four fights, earning performance bonuses in six of his seven UFC appearances.
Prates had previously fought in Perth at UFC 305 in 2024 and has been training at Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, California.
The Fight
Carlos Prates won the fight by TKO. The bout ended with Della Maddalena being stopped by strikes. Prates landed a devastating combination of kicks to the leg and liver, as well as left hands, elbows, and knees. The victory occurred in less than 15 minutes.
This marked Della Maddalena's first loss by stoppage in a decade.
Post-Fight Analysis and Title Implications
Following the victory, Prates is now considered a top contender in the welterweight division.
The current UFC welterweight champion is Islam Makhachev. UFC CEO Dana White has stated that Makhachev is scheduled to fight again in August 2026. Ian Machado Garry, who defeated Prates by decision, is a potential opponent for Makhachev. Garry defeated former champion Belal Muhammad by decision in November 2024.
Commentator Daniel Cormier stated that Prates' performance indicated he is ready to compete for the UFC championship and that he had improved significantly since his loss to Garry.
Cormier noted that while Garry may have the inside track for a title shot, a title opportunity for Prates would not be contested.
Prates' Statements on Future Plans
Carlos Prates stated that beating a second former champion in a row could position him for a title opportunity:
"I think that beating a former champion for the second time in a row, and by knockout, will lock in the title shot."
Regarding timing, Prates stated a preference to fight for the title after Ian Machado Garry's expected bout with champion Islam Makhachev, allowing himself time to recover from injuries:
"I don't want to come out of this fight and already fight for the belt in August... I'd rather let Ian Garry fight and then we'll see what happens."
Prates expressed a desire for a rematch with Ian Machado Garry for the welterweight title, contingent on both fighters winning their next bouts:
"I'm rooting for it to change so Ian Garry and I can have our rematch for the belt... He called me about three weeks ago and we have a plan: I beat Maddalena, he beats Makhachev, and then we do our rematch here in Brazil."
Prates described Jack Della Maddalena as the toughest opponent of his career to date:
"I think he's one of the toughest guys I'll face. He was a champion and went five rounds with Makhachev."
Prates also stated he considers himself the best striker in the welterweight division.