Della Maddalena vs Prates headlines UFC Perth on May 2

Jack Della Maddalena will put his No. 4 welterweight ranking on the line against No. 5 Carlos "The Nightmare" Prates when UFC Fight Night comes to RAC Arena in Perth on Saturday, May 2, 2026 — the first UFC Fight Night ever staged on a Saturday night in Australian history.

Della Maddalena, 29, carries an 18-4 record and trains out of Scrappy MMA in his home state of Western Australia. Also ranked No. 13 pound-for-pound, the switch-stance striker has built a reputation as one of the division's most dangerous finishers, averaging 5.57 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy. Fighting in front of a home crowd in Perth adds another layer to an already high-stakes appearance for the local hero.

Standing opposite him will be Brazilian contender Carlos Prates of Vale Top Team. The 32-year-old holds a 24-7 record and owns a notable physical edge, measuring six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach — three inches longer than Della Maddalena's 73-inch wingspan. Prates averages 3.77 significant strikes per minute and connects at 55 percent accuracy, making him one of the sharper technicians in the division. He has not recorded a submission attempt in his UFC tenure, signaling a fighter who keeps business strictly on the feet.

Why it matters

• Both fighters sit inside the welterweight top five, meaning the winner will almost certainly force their way into a title conversation.
• Della Maddalena's No. 13 pound-for-pound status underlines how much is at stake for his broader UFC profile.
• The switch-stance matchup between two high-output strikers sets up a technically compelling stand-up contest, with Prates holding a five-inch reach advantage.
• The historic Saturday-night billing in Australia raises the event's profile and the pressure on both men to deliver.