Carlos Prates Demands Title Shot After UFC Perth Win Over Della Maddalena

Key facts

• UFC Perth takes place on May 2, 2026 at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
• Carlos Prates faces Jack Della Maddalena in the main event.
• Prates knocked out Leon Edwards at UFC 322 in November 2025.
• Ilia Topuria, current lightweight champion, is moving up to welterweight for a third title.
• Islam Makhachev defeated Leon Edwards for the welterweight title in November 2025, ending Edwards' 118-day reign.
• UFC's EMEA broadcast rights generate $20 million annually.
• The event features a 13-fight lineup.
• Kamaru Usman called for a title shot after a decision win over Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta.

Prates Sees Title Path Through Two Former Champions

Carlos Prates is making no secret of his ambition. The Brazilian welterweight, who knocked out former champion Leon Edwards at UFC 322 in November 2025, believes a victory over Jack Della Maddalena in the UFC Perth main event on May 2, 2026 should secure him a title shot. 'The title shot [is next],' Prates told MMA Fighting. 'Because I'm going to beat two former champs in a row, you know?' Prates, known as 'The Nightmare,' argues that consecutive wins over former world titleholders put him over the top in the welterweight division. His opponent, Della Maddalena, returns to Perth for a sold-out RAC Arena crowd, with redemption on the line. The event features a historic 13-fight lineup.

Topuria's Welterweight Move Complicates Title Picture

The most intriguing name in the 170-pound title conversation is Ilia Topuria, the current lightweight champion and former featherweight titleholder. Topuria has never competed in the welterweight division in the UFC, but he is moving up to fight for a third title. 'El Matador' is set to defend his lightweight belt for the first time against interim champion Justin Gaethje in the main event of the UFC White House card in June. Prates, however, is not deterred by the crowded field. He even suggested he could drop to lightweight if needed. 'OK, so then I go to the lightweights, I'm going to fight to the lightweight belt,' Prates said. 'Normally I have 85 kg, 84, so I can do lightweight.'

Edwards' Brief Reign Ended by Makhachev

Leon Edwards' welterweight title reign lasted just 118 days. He won the belt by defeating Belal Muhammad, but lost it to Islam Makhachev in November 2025. That defeat set the stage for Prates' knockout victory over Edwards at UFC 322, a win that Prates believes should be a springboard to a title opportunity. The rapid turnover at the top of the division has created a volatile landscape. Former champion Kamaru Usman has also called for a title shot after a lopsided decision win over Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta less than a year ago.

UFC's Global Reach and Broadcast Revenue

The UFC's expanding global footprint is reflected in its broadcast rights revenue. The EMEA region alone generates $20 million annually, underscoring the sport's growing international appeal. The Perth event, broadcast worldwide, is part of this strategy to reach new audiences. The 13-fight card at RAC Arena is a prime-time spectacle, with fans around the world tuning in. The UFC has expanded its global broadcast reach in 2026, making events like Perth accessible to a wider audience.

What Comes Next for the Welterweight Division

The welterweight title picture remains murky. With Makhachev holding the belt, Topuria moving up, and Prates, Usman, and others vying for a shot, the division is ripe for contention. Prates' immediate focus is on Della Maddalena, but his eyes are fixed on the championship. If Prates wins in Perth, the UFC will face a difficult decision: reward him with a title shot, or let Topuria leapfrog him. The outcome of the White House card in June could further reshape the hierarchy.

A Night of Redemption and Ambition in Perth

For Jack Della Maddalena, the fight in Perth is a homecoming and a chance to rebound. For Carlos Prates, it is a stepping stone to glory. The sold-out RAC Arena crowd will witness a welterweight showdown with high stakes for both men. Prates' confidence is palpable. 'I'm going to beat two former champs in a row,' he repeated. Whether that will be enough to earn a title shot remains to be seen, but the Brazilian is determined to make his case inside the Octagon.

The bottom line

• Carlos Prates believes a win over Jack Della Maddalena, following his knockout of Leon Edwards, merits a welterweight title shot.
• Ilia Topuria's move to welterweight adds a high-profile contender who has never fought in the division.
• Leon Edwards' 118-day title reign ended with a loss to Islam Makhachev in November 2025.
• Kamaru Usman is also in the title conversation after a decision win over Joaquin Buckley.
• UFC's EMEA broadcast rights generate $20 million annually, reflecting the sport's global growth.
• The UFC Perth event features a 13-fight lineup and a sold-out RAC Arena.