Carlos Prates defeats Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Fight Night Perth
Prates issues a challenge to the winner of the upcoming Islam Makhachev versus Ian Machado Garry title bout following a dominant third-round performance.
Carlos Prates has emerged as the victor in the main event at UFC Fight Night Perth, defeating Australian opponent Jack Della Maddalena via technical knockout. The contest concluded in the third round after Prates secured three knockdowns using a combination of a knee, a head kick, and a leg kick, prompting the referee to stop the contest. This result marks a significant shift in the welterweight division, with Prates improving his professional record to 24-7.
The victory saw the Brazilian fighter dismantle the hometown favourite, who had been tipped to perform well in Australia. Prates initially dropped Della Maddalena to the canvas with a calf kick late in the second round before intensifying the assault in the final round. The cumulative effect of the strikes left Della Maddalena unable to continue, resulting in a fall to 18-4 for the Australian. This loss represents his second consecutive defeat, contrasting sharply with Prates' momentum, which now includes three straight wins.
Following the conclusion of the bout, Prates addressed the media to outline his next objectives within the sport's hierarchy. He asserted his status as the number one contender and issued a specific challenge to face the winner of the upcoming welterweight title fight. The contested championship bout is scheduled to feature current champion Islam Makhachev against challenger Ian Machado Garry, though the outcome of that preliminary clash remains unconfirmed at this stage.
"I can punch, I can knee, I can kick … so I'm better, and now I feel like I'm the number one contender," Prates stated regarding his performance. He further elaborated on his intent to compete against the victors of the Makhachev versus Garry match, declaring, "I can't wait to see Makhachev and Ian, and then I'm going to fight the winner." This declaration positions Prates as a primary candidate for the next iteration of the welterweight championship.
In the co-main event of the card, Australian fighter Quillan Salkilld secured a victory over Beneil Dariush. Salkilld achieved a first-round technical knockout, improving his record to 12-1. The event also featured several other outcomes on the main card, including Steve Erceg defeating Tim Elliott by unanimous decision and Louie Sutherland beating Tai Tuivasa by unanimous decision.
The results from UFC Fight Night Perth highlight the competitive landscape of the welterweight division, with Prates' performance establishing him as a key figure in the pursuit of the title. As the sport moves forward, the focus shifts to the outcome of the Makhachev versus Garry bout, which will determine the next opponent for Prates should he accept the challenge.
