Carlos Prates Eyes Islam Makhachev Title Fight After Destroying Ex-Champion Jack Della Maddalena

Carlos Prates absolutely dominates Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Perth and calls out Islam Makhachev for future title fight.

Carlos Prates Eyes Islam Makhachev Title Fight After Destroying Ex-Champion Jack Della Maddalena

Carlos Prates dismantles Jack Della Maddalena (via Bloody elbow)

In Short
  • Carlos Prates defeated Jack Della Maddalena by third-round TKO at UFC Perth 2026.
  • Prates called out champion Islam Makhachev for a future title fight following his victory.
  • The win solidified Prates' status as a top contender in the welterweight division.

Jack Della Maddalena’s walkout to TNT by AC/DC at UFC Perth 2026 carried the feel of a statement moment as he entered RAC Arena in Australia. The atmosphere suggested he was ready to reassert himself on home soil in the main event. However, Carlos Prates made the louder statement, battering Maddalena across the contest. Prates dominated JDM and secured a third-round TKO victory.

The fight opened with a cautious yet tactical first round as the former champion took the center and looked to establish pressure early. Prates initially circled on the outside but began finding openings with sharp knees and cleaner strikes, edging the exchanges despite a late takedown from Maddalena. The Brazilian’s slightly higher output and effectiveness gave him the advantage in the opening frame.

In the second round, Prates built on that momentum by landing damaging knees and consistently breaking through Maddalena’s defense. While the Australian found moments of success with a takedown and a well-timed uppercut, he struggled to maintain control. The Brazilian mixed in jabs, kicks, and elbows while visibly damaging the lead leg, leaving JDM compromised by the end of the round.

The third round saw Prates take full control, dropping Maddalena with sustained pressure and damaging strikes. He kept attacking even after knocking JDM down, mixing in kicks and ground-and-pound that prevented any recovery. The referee stepped in to award Prates a third-round TKO victory at UFC Perth 2026. Following the finish, Prates called out champion Islam Makhachev for a future title shot.

Brazil never had a champion in the welterweight division. I will be the first.

Carlos Prates via UFC Perth octagon interview

Following his April 2025 loss to Ian Garry, Prates has surged back into form with a series of major wins. He scored a spinning elbow knockout over Geoff Neal at UFC 319, showcasing his striking evolution. The ‘Fighting Nerd’ then knocked out former champion Leon Edwards at UFC 322, continuing his impressive rise. Those results pushed him to No. 5 in the welterweight rankings and cemented his contender status.

For Jack Della Maddalena, the loss marks a tough setback and a long road back to title contention in the welterweight division. The defeat halts his momentum and forces a rebuild against elite competition moving forward. Meanwhile, the UFC is targeting a potential clash between Islam Makhachev and Ian Garry for UFC 330. If that bout materializes, Carlos Prates may be left waiting for the winner.

Top superstar played a major role in Carlos Prates vs Jack Della Maddalena being made for UFC Perth

Conor McGregor remains one of the biggest superstars in UFC history, widely credited for helping drive the sport’s global expansion. The Irishman’s star power played a key role in elevating the promotion’s visibility worldwide through his bouts. In recent times, his potential return has become a major talking point, with growing speculation around a comeback during International Fight Week at UFC 329.

Jack Della Maddalena, Carlos Prates
Carlos Prates and Jack Della Maddalena face off [via Yahoo Sports]

McGregor has hinted that an opponent was offered, while revealing he was awaiting a contract to finalize his return. One key name linked has been Carlos Prates, who confirmed he was approached for a potential bout with the Irishman. However, the Brazilian viewed himself as too dangerous for McGregor’s comeback, which led to his UFC Perth main event against Jack Della Maddalena.

A lot of people were talking about me and Conor McGregor, but I was without an opponent… Since my last fight, everybody knows I would love to fight JDM. I have respect for him, and he’s the number one contender, so I thought that fight would make a lot of sense for me.

Carlos Prates via The Ariel Helwani Show

There have been several opponents linked to McGregor’s return, including Mauricio Ruffy and Max Holloway, reflecting the wide range of possibilities under consideration. However, it remains to be seen who the Irishman will face as discussions about his comeback continue. At the same time, Carlos Prates’ technical knockout over JDM showed just how dangerous he would have been for ‘The Notorious One’.

Also Read: