Carlos Prates’s TKO of Jack Della Maddalena Shakes Up UFC Welterweight Title Picture

Key facts

• Carlos Prates (24-7 MMA, 7-1 UFC) defeated Jack Della Maddalena (18-4 MMA, 8-2 UFC) by third-round TKO at UFC Fight Night 275 in Perth.
• Prates has now won four consecutive fights by TKO, including a knockout of former champion Leon Edwards at UFC 322 in November.
• Ian Machado Garry (17-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) is the only fighter to have beaten Prates in the UFC, by unanimous decision in April 2025.
• UFC champion Islam Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) praised Prates on social media after the win.
• Daniel Cormier stated that Prates is 'championship-ready' and that 'nobody would complain' if the UFC booked Prates vs. Makhachev next.
• Machado Garry is rumored to be next for Makhachev at UFC 330 on Aug. 15, but no official announcement has been made.
• Prates holds a 7-1 UFC record with finishes over Neil Magny and Li Jingliang, and is on the cusp of the top five welterweight rankings.

A Statement Victory in Perth

Carlos Prates delivered a devastating third-round TKO of Jack Della Maddalena in the main event of UFC Fight Night 275 in Perth, Australia, on Saturday. The victory marked Prates’s fourth consecutive knockout win and further cemented his status as a top contender in the welterweight division. Prates dominated the bout with precise striking and relentless pressure, forcing the referee to intervene as Della Maddalena absorbed heavy punishment. The performance drew immediate praise from UFC champion Islam Makhachev, who applauded Prates on social media, acknowledging the Brazilian’s growing threat to his title.

Cormier’s Assessment: Prates Is Championship-Ready

UFC Hall of Famer and commentator Daniel Cormier was unequivocal in his assessment of Prates’s performance. On his YouTube channel, Cormier said the win put everyone on notice and that Prates had elevated himself onto the shortlist of fighters who could challenge Makhachev. “Carlos Prates has now put himself on the short-list of fighters who could potentially challenge the champion Islam Makhachev,” Cormier said. He noted that Prates’s back-to-back wins over former champions Leon Edwards and now Della Maddalena would typically guarantee a title shot. Cormier added, “Dude's championship-ready right now.”

The Ian Machado Garry Factor

The welterweight title picture is complicated by the presence of Ian Machado Garry, the only fighter to have defeated Prates in the UFC. Garry beat Prates by unanimous decision in April 2025, and rumor has it that he is next in line for Makhachev at UFC 330 on Aug. 15. Cormier acknowledged that Garry’s prior win over Prates gives him a strong claim, but he also warned that Prates’s latest performance could prompt the UFC to reconsider. “If it was to be Prates after that, nobody would complain,” Cormier said, highlighting the Brazilian’s newfound readiness for the spotlight.

A Stacked Division and a Potential Title Eliminator

Cormier expressed concern that Prates might have to wait for a title shot if Garry gets the nod first. He suggested that a title eliminator between Prates and unbeaten contender Michael Morales would be a logical alternative, given the depth of the welterweight division. “Because of the weight class being what it is, he might have to fight again,” Cormier said. “If he does, you hope it's Morales.” Prates himself has indicated he is willing to wait for the winner of a potential Garry-Makhachev bout, but Cormier argued that a fight against Morales would keep the division moving.

Makhachev’s Response and the Shifting Landscape

Islam Makhachev’s social media acknowledgment of Prates’s win underscores the competitive dynamic between the two fighters. Makhachev, who holds a 28-1 MMA record, has dominated the welterweight division since moving up from lightweight, but Prates’s power and unorthodox style present a new challenge. With key fights on the horizon, the welterweight rankings are in flux. Prates’s 7-1 UFC record, including finishes over Neil Magny and Li Jingliang, places him on the cusp of the top five. Should Garry defeat his next opponent, a rematch with Prates could determine the No. 1 contender.

What Comes Next for the Welterweight Division

The UFC has yet to officially announce Makhachev’s next opponent, leaving the door open for a potential shift in plans. Cormier’s comments suggest that Prates’s performance has created a groundswell of support for a title shot, even if Garry remains the frontrunner. If Prates does not get the next title fight, a bout against Morales or another top contender could solidify his position. Regardless, the Brazilian’s four-fight knockout streak and his victory over a former champion have made him a fighter to watch in the welterweight division.

A Contender Reborn

Carlos Prates’s transformation from a fighter who froze under the spotlight against Ian Machado Garry to one who dismantled a former champion is remarkable. Cormier noted that Prates appeared unfazed and composed against Della Maddalena, a stark contrast to his earlier loss. “He learned from his loss,” Cormier said. “He delivered at a level that tells me he's championship-ready.” With the UFC’s welterweight division stacked with talent, Prates has positioned himself as a legitimate threat to Makhachev’s reign, and the coming months will determine whether he gets his chance.

The bottom line

• Carlos Prates’s fourth straight TKO win has made him a top contender for Islam Makhachev’s welterweight title.
• Daniel Cormier believes Prates is championship-ready and that fans would accept a Prates vs. Makhachev fight next.
• Ian Machado Garry remains the likely next challenger due to his prior win over Prates, but the UFC may reconsider.
• Prates’s 7-1 UFC record includes wins over former champion Leon Edwards and top contenders like Neil Magny.
• A potential title eliminator between Prates and Michael Morales could clarify the division’s next steps.
• Makhachev’s social media praise of Prates signals respect and a recognition of the threat he poses.