Carlos Prates delivered another first-round knockout at UFC Perth, halting Jack Della Maddalena and staking a claim at welterweight.
Carlos Prates made sure UFC Perth belonged to him, stopping Jack Della Maddalena in a statement performance that turned the welterweight picture on its head.
In the Fight Night main event at RAC Arena. Prates extended his momentum to a third consecutive stoppage win and improved to 7-1 in the UFC.. Remarkably. all seven of his UFC victories have come via knockout or technical knockout. underscoring how quickly he can swing a fight when he finds his timing.
The defining moment came after a competitive start, when Della Maddalena got a takedown in the opening round.. Prates answered in the second with a sustained attack that mixed Muay Thai-style knees with sharp straight punches. then finished the round by landing a calf kick that sent his opponent down late.
Insight: What stood out was how Prates absorbed the early adjustment and still built toward a late-round finish, a pattern that makes him dangerous even when opponents find brief success.
Prates carried that urgency into the third round, where his pressure became relentless.. He kept moving forward. landing combinations over and around the guard. and repeatedly disrupted Della Maddalena’s rhythm with strikes including head kicks and punishing elbows.. Another slicing calf kick dropped Della Maddalena again, and Prates followed through on the ground until the referee stepped in.
The win also marked a key milestone for Prates at this level. as he became the first UFC opponent to stop Della Maddalena in the promotion.. For Della Maddalena. it was a significant shift after a promising run that included an earlier title-winning reign and a long pro unbeaten streak. before more recent setbacks ended by decision.
Insight: This matters because stoppage wins like this typically do more than add momentum. They reshape how contenders are viewed, and Prates’ finish puts his name directly into the title conversation.
Prates’ path in the UFC has been defined by high-impact finishes, including highlight-reel stoppages over notable opponents before this bout.. Although he previously suffered a decision loss to Ian Machado Garry. he has since delivered back-to-back statement victories over former champions. sending a clear signal that he is no longer just a rising name.
With rankings updates due next week. Prates is expected to climb. while the immediate question for the division is who steps in for the next title shot.. UFC Perth also served as a reminder of how much depth Australia continues to bring to the sport. with Della Maddalena and multiple local fighters featured across the 13-bout card.
Insight: In a division where matchups are everything, Prates’ performance gives the UFC a compelling storyline for what comes next, and it raises the stakes for every contender watching from the outside.