The UFC moment

Setting The Table For Saturday’s Prime Time Throwdown In Perth, Western Australia For UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs Prates. UFC has emerged this Saturday as one of the stories drawing attention in New Zealand.

Key facts

• Setting The Table For Saturday’s Prime Time Throwdown In Perth, Western Australia For UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs Prates.
• For the fourth consecutive year, UFC descends upon Perth, Western Australia, bringing a Fight Night event flush with ANZ talent and headlined by local boy Jack Della Maddalena and dynamic Brazilian finisher Carlos Prates.
• Leave it to the world`s authority in MMA to bring you the Ultimate 24/7 platform for MORE combat sports, UFC Fight Pass!
• Last year was a mixed bag for Dariush, who returned from a torn meniscus in 2024 with a sound win over Renato Moicano at UFC 317 that immediately affirmed that he remains a Top 10 talent in the lightweight division.
• Additional wins over Yaal Ashmouz and Nasrat Haqparast made him one of the top rookies of 2025 and put him on everyone’s radar as a 2026 breakout candidate, and after submitting veteran Jamie Mullarkey at UFC 325, he has a chance to break into the Top 15 with a win at home on Saturday.

What we know

Going deeper, For the fourth consecutive year, UFC descends upon Perth, Western Australia, bringing a Fight Night event flush with ANZ talent and headlined by local boy Jack Della Maddalena and dynamic Brazilian finisher Carlos Prates.

On the substance, Leave it to the world`s authority in MMA to bring you the Ultimate 24/7 platform for MORE combat sports, UFC Fight Pass!

Beyond the headlines, Last year was a mixed bag for Dariush, who returned from a torn meniscus in 2024 with a sound win over Renato Moicano at UFC 317 that immediately affirmed that he remains a Top 10 talent in the lightweight division.

More precisely, Additional wins over Yaal Ashmouz and Nasrat Haqparast made him one of the top rookies of 2025 and put him on everyone’s radar as a 2026 breakout candidate, and after submitting veteran Jamie Mullarkey at UFC 325, he has a chance to break into the Top 15 with a win at home on Saturday.

It is worth noting that He finally returned to action last August and once again flashed his dynamic abilities, submitting recent title challenger Kai Asakura in the second round at UFC 319, grabbing a second straight bonus in the process.

By the numbers

At this stage, Fighting out of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Gaziev has had mixed results since landing in the UFC via a first-round stoppage win on Season 7 of Dana White’s Contender Series, posting three wins, two finishes, and two losses in his first five fights.

On a related note, Still just 33 years old, “Bam Bam” makes his second start of 2026 after dropping an exhaustive decision to Tallison Teixeira at UFC 325 in February.

Going deeper, a member of the DWCS Class of ’25, Rowston made a quick turnaround to compete in Perth last September, earning a first-round finish of Andre Petroski before turning around and collecting a second-round stoppage win over Cody Brundage at UFC 325.

On the substance, Following a strong showing on short notice at UFC 312, Thicknesse successfully navigated 15 hard minutes with Josias Musasa to earn his first UFC win at RAC Arena last September.

What they're saying

“Street Buddha” is unbeaten so long as he’s not sharing the cage with Salkilld, having won five straight since their second encounter and nine of 11 overall.

“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 here.

The wider context

On a related note, Limited Tickets Remaining For UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland.

Going deeper, Don't miss a moment of UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs Prates, live from RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia on May 2, 2026.

On the substance, Prates touches down in Perth, having rebounded from his first UFC loss last April with consecutive highlight reel finishes.

Beyond the headlines, this is about as perfect a matchup as you’re going to find in the UFC at the moment; the precise opportunity and stylistic pairing each man needs, given how they come into the weekend, while also carrying a great deal of significance within the division.

More precisely, Unlock MORE of your inner combat sports fan with UFC Fight Pass!

The bottom line

• A member of the DWCS Class of ’25, Rowston made a quick turnaround to compete in Perth last September, earning a first-round finish of Andre Petroski before turning around and collecting a second-round stoppage win over Cody Brundage at UFC 325.
• This is about as perfect a matchup as you’re going to find in the UFC at the moment; the precise opportunity and stylistic pairing each man needs, given how they come into the weekend, while also carrying a great deal of significance within the division.
• Salkilld has been on an absolute tear since touching down in the UFC last February with a first-round knockout win over Anshul Jubli.