Sean Strickland joked that Francis Ngannou would find the reason he carries a weapon by looking in a mirror. Carlos Prates and Jack Della Maddalena held their first staredown, with observers noting Prates looks exceptionally large for the welterweight division. Questions were raised about how Prates makes 170 pounds given his size and reported lack of dietary discipline. Arman Tsarukyan revealed the UFC recently sent him an unexpected $42,000 bonus, possibly related to his social media activity, though he said he didn't ask for details to avoid his manager claiming a percentage.
Sean Strickland, Carlos Prates, and Arman Tsarukyan each generated headlines during open workout week, with Strickland delivering a pointed remark aimed at Francis Ngannou, Prates drawing attention for his imposing size, and Tsarukyan revealing an unexpected financial surprise from the UFC.
Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, quipped that Ngannou need only look in a mirror to understand why the 35-year-old American carries a firearm. The comment was framed as a joke, though it carried Strickland's trademark edge. The six-foot-one orthodox striker out of Xtreme Couture holds a 31-7-0 professional record and lands an eye-catching 6.04 significant strikes per minute.
The open workouts also produced the first staredown between welterweights Carlos Prates and Jack Della Maddalena, and observers were struck by how physically large Prates appeared for the 170-pound division. The Brazilian, nicknamed The Nightmare, stands six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach — notable measurements for welterweight — and carries a 24-7-0 record. Ranked fifth at 170 pounds, the 32-year-old Vale Top Team product connects on 55 percent of his significant strikes. Questions were raised about how Prates manages to make the welterweight limit given his frame and reported lack of dietary discipline heading into fight week.
His opponent, Della Maddalena, is ranked fourth in the division and 13th pound-for-pound. The 29-year-old Australian carries an 18-4-0 record and posts a 51 percent striking accuracy while landing 5.57 significant strikes per minute. The switch-hitting Scrappy MMA product stands five-foot-eleven with a 73-inch reach.
Why it matters
- Prates versus Della Maddalena is a top-five welterweight collision with potential title-picture implications for the winner.
- Prates holds a significant four-inch reach advantage over Della Maddalena, making his size questions even more relevant to the stylistic matchup.
- Tsarukyan disclosed that the UFC sent him an unsolicited $42,000 bonus, which he speculated may be tied to his social media presence — he said he deliberately avoided asking for specifics so his manager could not claim a percentage of the payment.
