Jack Della Maddalena and Carlos Prates clash in Perth welterweight main event after UFC 322 defeats

Key facts

• Jack Della Maddalena (18-3) faces Carlos Prates (23-7) in a welterweight bout on May 2 at RAC Arena in Perth.
• Della Maddalena lost by unanimous decision to Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 in November 2024, ending an 18-fight win streak.
• Prates knocked out Leon Edwards at UFC 322 and has won 13 of his last 14 fights.
• Both fighters are listed at -110 on the money line at DraftKings Sportsbook.
• The main card starts at 7 a.m. ET on Paramount+; prelims begin at 4 a.m. ET.
• Jonathan Micallef is favored (-218) over Themba Gorimbo (+180) in a welterweight bout, with analyst Kyle Marley backing Micallef by unanimous decision.

A homecoming and a crossroads

Jack Della Maddalena returns to Perth on Saturday night to fight in front of a home crowd for only the second time in his UFC career, and the first since February 2023. The 29-year-old former welterweight champion will step into the octagon at RAC Arena carrying the weight of his first loss in 19 fights — a unanimous decision defeat to Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 this past November. That loss snapped an 18-bout winning streak that had propelled Della Maddalena to the top of the division. Now ranked No. 1, he faces No. 5 Carlos Prates, a Brazilian finisher who also tasted defeat at UFC 322 but rebounded with a knockout of Leon Edwards. Both men are desperate to reassert themselves in a welterweight division that waits for no one.

The main event: Della Maddalena vs. Prates

Della Maddalena, who turned professional in 2016, holds an 18-3 record with 12 knockouts, two submissions and four decisions. He has earned four Performance of the Night honors and two Fight of the Night awards, and was named the 2022 Newcomer of the Year by UFC.com. Prates, 32, turned pro in 2012 and made his UFC debut in 2024. He has won 13 of his last 14 outings, compiling a 23-7 record with 18 knockouts, three submissions and two decisions. Prates has claimed Performance of the Night in each of his last six victories. He ranks third in knockdown average per 15 minutes in UFC welterweight history and seventh overall in UFC history. He was named the 2024 MMA Fighting Rookie of the Year and a first-team MMA all-star in 2024, followed by second-team honors in 2025.

Betting odds and expert analysis

DraftKings Sportsbook lists both Della Maddalena and Prates at -110 on the money line, reflecting the evenness of the matchup. SportsLine analyst Kyle Marley, who has returned well over $21,000 for $100 bettors since May 2018, has studied the fight and released his top picks. Over the past three-plus years, followers of Marley's picks are up nearly $10,000. Marley's track record includes hitting five consecutive main-event underdog winners in 2020 after the UFC's pandemic pause. He has provided consistent winners for SportsLine members for five years.

A prime-time Perth card with ANZ talent

For the fourth consecutive year, the UFC brings a Fight Night event to Perth, and for the first time the card runs in prime time locally. The earlier start in North America — prelims at 4 a.m. ET, main card at 7 a.m. ET — means the Australian crowd, already known for its raucous early-morning support, will be even more energized. The event is flush with athletes from Australia and New Zealand. The five-bout main card includes Beneil Dariush vs. Quillan Salkilld, Shamil Gaziev vs. Brando Pericic, Tai Tuivasa vs. Louie Sutherland, Junior Tafa vs. Kevin Christian, Jacob Malkoun vs. Gerald Meerschaert, Colby Thicknesse vs. Vince Morales, and Jonathan Micallef vs. Themba Gorimbo.

Micallef vs. Gorimbo: a grappling chess match

One of Marley's specific picks is Jonathan Micallef (-218) to defeat Themba Gorimbo (+180) by unanimous decision in a welterweight bout. Marley expects Gorimbo to rely heavily on wrestling, needing at least two rounds of top control to win. He views Micallef as the superior striker and the more dangerous submission grappler, predicting that Micallef will avoid being controlled on the ground and get his hand raised.

What comes next for the winner

The welterweight division is crowded with contenders, and a decisive victory in Perth could propel the winner into title contention. Della Maddalena, fighting at home, has the chance to reignite his momentum after the Makhachev loss. Prates, with his knockout power and recent hot streak, could vault into the top three with an impressive performance. Both men know that a loss would set them back significantly in a division where every fight carries outsized stakes.

The bottom line

• Jack Della Maddalena and Carlos Prates both lost at UFC 322 in November 2024 and are seeking redemption in the main event.
• The fight is in Perth, Australia, at RAC Arena, with a prime-time local slot expected to amplify crowd energy.
• Both fighters are evenly matched at -110 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook.
• Jonathan Micallef is a strong favorite (-218) over Themba Gorimbo (+180) in a welterweight undercard bout.
• The winner will likely move closer to a title shot in the competitive welterweight division.