Carlos Prates made headlines at UFC Fight Night 275 by defeating Jack Della Maddalena, a former champion, with a TKO in the third round. This victory took place on May 2, 2026, at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. With this win, Prates solidified his status as a serious contender in the welterweight division.
Della Maddalena entered the fight as the No. 1 contender and boasted an impressive 18-fight professional winning streak. However, he faced an unexpected challenge from Prates, who has demonstrated remarkable knockout power throughout his career.
Key facts about Carlos Prates:
- Prates improved his UFC record to 7-1, with all seven victories coming by knockout or TKO.
- This fight marked the first time Della Maddalena was stopped at the UFC level.
- Prates has achieved three first-round KO/TKO wins within the last 8.5 months.
There was simply no stopping Carlos Prates at UFC Perth. He continued landing stinging shots that left Della Maddalena unable to recover. Following his victory, Prates confidently dubbed himself the new No. 1 contender at 170 pounds.
But what does this mean for the future? Observers are now considering Prates a legitimate threat to the welterweight title. His previous victory against former champion Leon Edwards only adds to his credentials.
Reactions from experts:
“His back-to-back stoppage wins over former champs Edwards and Della Maddalena have sent a clear message to the rest of the division that Prates is a threat to the title.” and Analysts believe that this trajectory could lead him to face other top contenders in upcoming bouts.
Carlos Prates’s only loss in the UFC came from a decision against Ian Machado Garry about a year ago. Since then, he has clearly evolved as a fighter.
This was also notable as it was the second UFC event held in Australia in 2026, further emphasizing its significance within the MMA community.
As for Della Maddalena, this loss raises questions about how he will rebound after such a setback—especially after not fighting in his home country for three years prior to this event.
Carlos Prates is expected to move up significantly in the welterweight rankings following this decisive victory.
