Former UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena will be back in action when he squares off with 170-pound knockout king Carlos Prates at UFC’s upcoming Fight Night event on May 2nd in Perth, Australia.
UFC’s social media account confirmed the main event booking on Saturday night (originally reported by ESPN Brasil and Ariel Helwani).
Della Maddalena, 29, is coming off his first loss in nearly 10 years after coughing up his UFC welterweight title to pound-for-pound great Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 last November. Before that, the Australian star had racked off 18-straight wins (8-0 UFC). Maddalena appeared to be on the cusp of a possible title reign before Makhachev decided to move up to 170 pounds and spoil the party. Luckily, JDM will have a chance to right the ship in 2026 when he faces off with Prates this May.
Prates, 32, is coming off stunning knockout wins over former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards (watch HERE) and perennial contender Geoff Neal (watch HERE). His only loss inside UFC’s Octagon came against fellow contender Ian Machado Garry back in early 2025. “Nightmare” has quickly turned into one of the most violent knockout artists in the sport right now and with a win over JDM on enemy soil will likely earn a UFC title shot his next time out.
What do you think, fight fans? Who wins this main event matchup between Della Maddalena and Prates?
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