Jack Della Maddalena returns to Perth seeking redemption against Carlos Prates after title loss

Key facts

• Jack Della Maddalena (18-3) fights for the first time since losing the UFC welterweight title to Islam Makhachev in November.
• Carlos Prates (23-7) has back-to-back knockout wins over Geoff Neal and Leon Edwards after a loss to Ian Machado Garry.
• The main event is a five-round welterweight bout at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
• Preliminary card starts at 4 a.m. ET on Paramount+; main card at 7 a.m. ET.
• Della Maddalena won eight straight UFC fights before the title loss, including a win over Belal Muhammad for the belt.
• Prates is 6-1 in the UFC with six knockouts and six Performance of the Night bonuses.
• Co-main event features Beneil Dariush vs. Quillan Salkilld in a lightweight bout.

A homecoming fight with high stakes

Jack Della Maddalena steps into the octagon on Saturday in his hometown of Perth for the first time since 2023, facing a formidable opponent in Carlos Prates. The former welterweight champion is looking to rebound from a devastating loss to Islam Makhachev that cost him the belt. The fight headlines UFC Fight Night at RAC Arena, with the main card beginning at 7 a.m. ET on Paramount+. Della Maddalena, 29, had his eight-fight UFC winning streak snapped in November when Makhachev dominated him for five rounds, landing barely a punch. The loss was a stark reminder of the gap between elite grapplers and strikers, a gap Della Maddalena is determined to close.

Della Maddalena's defensive mindset cost him the title

Reflecting on the defeat, Della Maddalena admitted he became too defensive. "I think it was from the get go, I think just getting stuck, not having the footwork," he told UFC on Paramount's Shakiel Mahjouri. "There were opportunities on the back when I was on the ground where I think I was just thinking too defensive, not getting subbed, that sort of thing, when really I should have been attacking and trying to create opportunities to scramble and get back to the feet." He described his mindset as "real defensive" when it came to grappling, which cost him rounds and ultimately the fight. The Australian said the loss stung for a few days, but he quickly returned to the drawing board to fix his mistakes.

Prates: A dangerous striker on a roll

Carlos Prates, 32, enters the bout with momentum after back-to-back knockout wins over Geoff Neal and Leon Edwards. The Brazilian slugger rebounded from a close loss to Ian Machado Garry in April 2025 and now has six knockouts in seven UFC fights, earning six Performance of the Night bonuses. Prates is not underestimating Della Maddalena, calling him a dangerous opponent who will come "angry and hungry." "Makhachev is one of the best fighters. He is a two-division champ," Prates told CBS Sports' Brian Campbell. "I think [Della Maddalena] did maybe a wrong strategy, but it is what it is. Makhachev is good. That's why I'm expecting the best version of JDM right now."

A clash of striking styles

Both fighters are elite strikers, but their approaches differ. Della Maddalena is considered the superior boxer, especially at close range, while Prates switches between Muay Thai and traditional kickboxing. Prates, a southpaw, often gives up outside lead foot position to get within striking distance, relying on head and trunk movement to set up knockout blows. That high-risk approach could be exploited by Della Maddalena, who has the skills to blitz Prates at boxing range. Against the fence, Prates tends to shell up with a high guard—a tactic that works in kickboxing but is vulnerable in MMA's four-ounce gloves. If Della Maddalena backs him up, he could land damaging combinations.

Title implications and what's next

A win for Della Maddalena could put him back in title contention, with his eyes set on a rematch against Makhachev. "I'm gonna leave it all to next Saturday," he said. "The performance will do the talking, and I'm excited to perform for the people." For Prates, a victory would extend his knockout streak and move him closer to a title shot. He has his sights on the winner of the Makhachev vs. Ian Garry fight scheduled for August. "I hope to be there watching that fight and challenging the champ after the fight," Prates said. "Definitely, after I beat JDM, the second champ I'm going to beat in a row, I'm going to be next."

Co-main event and undercard highlights

The co-main event features lightweight contender Beneil Dariush against rising star Quillan Salkilld, who has three UFC wins in 2025 including a Knockout of the Year candidate over Nasrat Haqparast. In the flyweight division, Steve Erceg faces Tim Elliott. Heavyweight Tai Tuivasa looks to end a six-fight losing streak against Louie Sutherland, who stepped in on short notice. Other main card bouts include Marwan Rahiki vs. Ollie Schmid at featherweight and Shamil Gaziev vs. Brando Pericic at heavyweight. The preliminary card starts at 4 a.m. ET on Paramount+, featuring Cam Rowston vs. Robert Bryczek at middleweight.

The bottom line

• Jack Della Maddalena returns to action for the first time since losing the welterweight title to Islam Makhachev, fighting in his hometown of Perth.
• Carlos Prates brings a six-fight UFC knockout streak and aims to leapfrog into title contention with a win.
• Della Maddalena acknowledges he was too defensive against Makhachev and plans to be more offensive against Prates.
• The main event is a striker's duel between two of the division's best, with Della Maddalena's boxing against Prates' Muay Thai.
• A win for either fighter could set up a title shot, with Prates eyeing the Makhachev vs. Garry winner.
• The co-main event features Beneil Dariush vs. Quillan Salkilld, a potential passing-of-the-torch in the lightweight division.