Carlos Prates defeats Jack Della Maddalena in Perth main event
Prates leveraged significant physical advantages and explosive striking to end Della Maddalena's reign as undisputed welterweight champion.
Carlos Prates has secured a victory over former welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena in the main event of UFC Fight Night 275 at the RAC Arena in Perth. The bout, which marked the first UFC event in Australia in nearly three months, saw Prates utilise his explosive striking and physical advantages to secure a victory over the former welterweight champion.
Prates enters the fight as a slight betting favourite, possessing a two-inch height and five-inch reach advantage over Della Maddalena. The 32-year-old Brazilian boasts 21 finishes among his 23 professional victories, with 18 coming by knockout or technical knockout, allowing him to dominate the standup exchanges where Della Maddalena typically operates.
Della Maddalena's loss ended his reign as the undisputed UFC welterweight champion after 189 days, marking his first setback in almost a decade following a unanimous decision defeat to Islam Makhachev in November. The Australian fighter has secured only one takedown in his entire UFC career, leaving him ill-equipped to utilise the grappling strategies that previously stifled Prates' offence.
Prates is trained by Vale Top Team and Fighting Nerds and steps onto the battlefield on the strength of back-to-back victories. He has logged 13 wins over his past 14 outings, a run of sustained success stretching back to 2019, and this represents his third headlining assignment with the promotion.
All six of Prates' UFC wins concluded with bursts of violence, including his previous encounter with Leon Edwards at UFC 322 where he dispatched the former champion with a single straight left. Ian Garry remains the only fighter to defeat Prates in the Octagon, having utilised clinch work and takedowns to prevent the Brazilian from establishing any kind of offensive rhythm in their previous five-round encounter.
Prates punched his ticket to the UFC via Dana White's Contender Series three years ago and has since risen quickly through the ranks. The outcome reported as a definitive victory sees the promotion continue its presence in the Australian market with a card focused on high-impact striking.
