Carlos Prates Admits UFC’s New Bonus Policy Prompted Him to Finish Jack Della Maddalena

Brazilian welterweight contender Carlos Prates reveals his motivation behind finishing Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Perth.

Carlos Prates Admits UFC’s New Bonus Policy Prompted Him to Finish Jack Della Maddalena

Carlos Prates details JDM fight (via Instagram)

In Short
  • Carlos Prates finished Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Perth, showcasing his striking and control throughout the fight.
  • He admitted that the UFC's new bonus policy, increasing the bonus to $100K, motivated him to seek a finish.
  • Prates expressed his desire to challenge for the UFC welterweight title next, awaiting the winner of Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Garry.

Carlos Prates has quickly emerged as one of the standout names in the UFC welterweight division, with his rise largely attributed to his knockout power and confident in-cage personality. That reputation was further cemented at UFC Perth, where he stopped Jack Della Maddalena in a statement win. Prates has since revealed why he fully capitalize on certain moments when JDM was already compromised.

Prates controlled the contest from start to finish, setting the tone early with consistent pressure and sharp striking. He was able to outstrike JDM, who is widely regarded as one of the best boxers in the division. In the second round, there were moments where Maddalena appeared overwhelmed and resorted to shooting for takedowns. However, the Australian fighter was unable to keep ‘The Nightmare’ down.

By the third round, it was clear who was going to win the contest, with Prates fully in control of the fight. He punished his opponent with vicious elbows and knees to the head in close-range exchanges. At times, Maddalena was visibly rocked, but Prates did not fully complete the finishing sequences. Instead, he even asked his opponent to get back up after knockdowns, later setting up his explanation for that decision.

His leg was in too much pain so I felt like now it’s time to get the bonus. Now, its $100K, not $50K anymore. In Brazil it’s a lot of money.

Carlos Prates via UFC on Paramount

After the win, Prates made his ambitions clear by stating that he wants to challenge for the UFC welterweight title next. In doing so, he also indirectly confirmed the rumored inaugural defense of champion Islam Makhachev against Ian Garry. The bout has been speculated to take place at UFC 330 in August 2026. Prates further revealed that he intends to wait for the winner of that matchup.

Putting on highlight-reel performances is nothing new for the Brazilian contender, with Prates building his UFC reputation on consistent finishes. He has knocked out every opponent he has defeated in the promotion. One of his standout moments came at UFC 319 against welterweight veteran Geoff Neal, where he delivered a spinning elbow knockout that earned him the Performance of the Night bonus.

The knockout over JDM also marked the second former champion opponent Carlos Prates has finished in his UFC run. The first came against Leon Edwards at UFC 322, adding further weight to his reputation as a top-tier finisher. These wins have reinforced his ability to break down elite competition at 170 pounds. It remains to be seen what is next for ‘The Nightmare’ as he navigates through a busy welterweight division.

Carlos Prates jokes about moving down to lightweight

The superfight between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev has remained a major topic of controversy and interest over the past year. While both fighters have expressed interest in facing each other, they also carry divisional responsibilities that cannot be ignored. Makhachev is focused on establishing his reign at welterweight, while the lightweight champion continues to solidify his dominance in his division.

Carlos Prates
Carlos Prates (via MiddleEasy)

After his win at UFC Perth, Carlos Prates confirmed that Makhachev will face Ian Garry in his inaugural welterweight title defense. However, it does not appear that the Brazilian fighter has any intention of waiting around if the Dagestani champion decides to pursue a superfight with Ilia Topuria instead. Prates has recently hilariously highlighted what he would do if such a scenario forced him out.

Then, I’ll move down to lightweight and fight for the lightweight belt. I can make 155. But I’m kidding—I don’t want to diet that much anymore. We’ll see. I’m not really thinking about that right now, but let’s see if it happens.

Carlos Prates via MMA Fighting

In recent times, it was revealed that the superfight between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev was being targeted for the UFC White House event, but the plans eventually fell through. Following the cancellation, both fighters have shifted blame toward each other for the fight not materializing. The breakdown has added uncertainty to the matchup and its future prospects, such as Carlos Prates.

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