Jack Della Maddalena, former UFC welterweight champion, is set to return to the octagon with a highly anticipated main event fight in Perth on May 2 at RAC Arena. This fight marks a homecoming for Della Maddalena and features him facing Carlos “The Nightmare” Prates, ranked No. 5 in the welterweight division. The matchup is notable for being held on a Saturday night—a first for Western Australia—adjusting local fight schedules traditionally set for Sunday mornings to accommodate American broadcast timings.
The Significance of the Perth Fight Night Timing
The shift to a Saturday night start means that the usual programming schedule in Western Australia has been altered, resulting in a postponement of another planned pay-per-view event until next year. This change aims to maximize both local and international viewership while highlighting the event’s importance in bringing UFC attention to Perth.
Della Maddalena’s Road Back After Title Loss
For Della Maddalena, who holds a professional record of 18 wins and 3 losses, this fight represents his first since losing the welterweight title in November at Madison Square Garden, New York, to Islam Makhachev, a future UFC Hall of Famer. The 29-year-old fighter views this bout against Prates (23-7) as an opportunity to reclaim his position as a top contender in the division.
He emphasized the significance of his upcoming fight, stating,
“He’s one of the top contenders, he’s on a good run and he’s beaten a lot of the top guys,”
highlighting the challenge that Prates presents. Della Maddalena explained that a victory here would put him “back into the title picture” amid ongoing shifts in the welterweight division.
However, Della Maddalena made clear that a decision win would not suffice for his ambitions:
“I feel like a decision over Carlos doesn’t do a whole lot for me, but an exciting finish is really what I need to put me back into real talks about getting another shot at the world title.”
Learning from Defeat to Strengthen Future Performance
The defeat to Islam Makhachev was Della Maddalena’s first loss in nearly ten years, a setback that has shaped his mindset going forward. Reflecting on the experience, he said,
“I want to get back into the ‘win column’ but sometimes you need to learn some stuff and come back stronger.”
He acknowledged gaining a deeper understanding of the mental toughness required to compete at the highest level:
“I learnt a lot about myself, about my mentality. I learned where you need to be mentally to win these fights. I’m not disheartened by the loss, I just took a lot from it.”
He concluded on his readiness for the upcoming bout by adding,
“I feel more dangerous. A lot of lessons learnt.”
Fighting at Home: A Personal Milestone for Della Maddalena
Beyond the professional stakes, this fight carries significant personal meaning as Della Maddalena will be headlining a major UFC event in his hometown of Perth. His last appearance in Perth was in February 2023, where he secured a first-round victory over Randy Brown by rear-naked choke. The support from local fans, friends, and family boosted his performance.
He described the experience as “a big dream come true,” adding,
“Fighting at home will be good for the friends and family and supporters who don’t always get the opportunity to come watch me fight.”
Della Maddalena also noted the advantages of the hometown environment:
“It was different, there was immense support being the hometown guy. Just to have that full support from the crowd and the less travel time which is nice.”
Other Western Australians Poised for UFC Returns
The upcoming card will not only showcase Della Maddalena but could also feature additional West Australian fighters looking to make their mark. Former flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg, lightweight prospect Quillan Salkilld, and bantamweight Cody Haddon, who is making a return, are all expected to be contenders for bouts in the near future.
What UFC Leaders Say About the Perth Event
Peter Kloczko, UFC Australia and New Zealand senior vice president, indicated this event represents a milestone for UFC’s expansion in Australia. He commented,
“This event will mark another step forward for UFC in Australia, continuing to build broader local interest and demand for our sport.”
Kloczko also anticipates high ticket sales and large viewership, predicting
“our largest UFC Fight Night viewership across the country.”
Economic and Tourism Impact Endorsed by Local Officials
Tourism Minister Reece Whitby highlighted the broader benefits of hosting such a high-profile event in Perth, reinforcing its status as
“a world-class host of global sporting event.”
He noted that events like UFC Fight Night generate substantial economic impact by boosting hotel occupancy, supporting local jobs, and injecting millions into Western Australia’s tourism sector. Whitby described the May 2 headline fight between Jack Della Maddalena and Carlos Prates as “a must-see event” that will draw fans from across the country and beyond.
