Jack Della Maddalena Faces Carlos Prates in Perth UFC Fight Night Headliner

Key facts

• UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs Prates takes place May 2, 2026 at RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia.
• Jack Della Maddalena, a local Perth fighter, headlines against Brazilian finisher Carlos Prates.
• Prates rebounded from his first UFC loss last April with consecutive highlight-reel finishes.
• Beneil Dariush, returning from a torn meniscus, won over Renato Moicano at UFC 317 and remains a Top 10 lightweight.
• Tom Nolan submitted Jamie Mullarkey at UFC 325 and can break into the Top 15 with a win Saturday.
• Muhammad Mokaev submitted recent title challenger Kai Asakura at UFC 319, earning a second straight bonus.
• Shara Magomedov has posted three wins, two finishes, and two losses in his first five UFC fights.
• Tickets remain limited for UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland.

Perth Plays Host to ANZ Talent and Title Implications

For the fourth consecutive year, the UFC descends upon Perth, Western Australia, bringing a Fight Night event flush with Australian and New Zealand talent. The May 2 card at RAC Arena is headlined by local welterweight Jack Della Maddalena against dynamic Brazilian finisher Carlos Prates. Prates arrives in Perth having rebounded from his first UFC loss last April with consecutive highlight-reel finishes. The matchup is considered a perfect stylistic pairing, carrying significant divisional implications for both fighters.

Della Maddalena Seeks to Rebound After Exhaustive Decision Loss

Still just 33 years old, Della Maddalena — known as “Bam Bam” — makes his second start of 2026 after dropping an exhaustive decision to Tallison Teixeira at UFC 325 in February. The loss snapped a promising run and puts added pressure on the Perth native to deliver in front of a home crowd. Prates, meanwhile, has shown resilience and finishing power, making the headliner a critical test for both men’s trajectories in the welterweight division.

Dariush, Nolan, and Mokaev Highlight Loaded Undercard

Beneil Dariush, who returned from a torn meniscus in 2024, earned a sound win over Renato Moicano at UFC 317, affirming his status as a Top 10 lightweight talent. He faces another tough test in Perth. Tom Nolan, after submitting veteran Jamie Mullarkey at UFC 325, has a chance to break into the Top 15 with a win on Saturday. The Australian has been one of the top rookies of 2025, with additional wins over Yaal Ashmouz and Nasrat Haqparast putting him on the radar as a 2026 breakout candidate. Muhammad Mokaev, who submitted recent title challenger Kai Asakura in the second round at UFC 319, grabbed a second straight bonus and looks to continue his ascent.

Mixed Results for Gaziev, Rowston, and Thicknesse

Shara Magomedov, fighting out of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has had mixed results since landing in the UFC via a first-round stoppage win on Season 7 of Dana White’s Contender Series. He has posted three wins, two finishes, and two losses in his first five fights. A member of the DWCS Class of ’25, Tom Rowston made a quick turnaround to compete in Perth last September, earning a first-round finish of Andre Petroski before collecting a second-round stoppage win over Cody Brundage at UFC 325. Following a strong showing on short notice at UFC 312, Jack Thicknesse successfully navigated 15 hard minutes with Josias Musasa to earn his first UFC win at RAC Arena last September.

Salkilld and “Street Buddha” Renew Rivalry; “Mamba” Returns

The fighter known as “Street Buddha” is unbeaten so long as he is not sharing the cage with Salkilld, having won five straight since their second encounter and nine of 11 overall. Their rivalry adds a personal dimension to the card. “Mamba” ended a nearly two-year hiatus in January with a unanimous decision win in Sydney and looks to make it three straight and four of his last five with a relatively quick turnaround in Perth.

Limited Tickets Remain for UFC 328 as Perth Event Approaches

With the Fight Night card nearly sold out, limited tickets remain for UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland, a separate event that underscores the UFC’s growing footprint in the region. The promotion continues to invest in the Australian market, with Perth serving as a recurring hub. The May 2 event is available exclusively on UFC Fight Pass, the promotion’s 24/7 platform for combat sports.

The bottom line

• Jack Della Maddalena vs Carlos Prates headlines UFC Fight Night in Perth on May 2, 2026.
• The card features a deep roster of ANZ fighters, including Tom Nolan, Muhammad Mokaev, and Tom Rowston.
• Beneil Dariush remains a Top 10 lightweight after returning from injury with a win over Renato Moicano.
• Multiple fighters are vying for rankings breakthroughs, with Nolan seeking a Top 15 spot and Mokaev chasing a title shot.
• The event marks the fourth consecutive year UFC has held a Fight Night in Perth, highlighting the region's importance to the promotion.
• Limited tickets remain for UFC 328, indicating strong local demand for live MMA events.