Carlos Prates improved his record to 24-7 with a commanding win over Australia’s Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Fight Night in Perth. Prates dropped the hometown fighter late in the second round and scored multiple knockdowns in the third before the referee halted the contest. The Brazilian said he wants the winner of the still-unconfirmed title fight between Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Makhachev next. The result reshapes the welterweight pecking order and adds a new name to the immediate title conversation.

Prates imposes himself in Perth

Carlos Prates delivered one of the clearest statements of his career on Saturday. The 32-year-old Brazilian controlled the main event in Perth and finished Jack Della Maddalena after a decisive third round. The referee stopped the fight, awarding Prates a stoppage win.

Prates landed a blow that put Della Maddalena on the canvas late in round two. He then struck successfully three times in the third with a knee, a head kick and a leg strike, each contributing to the Australian’s trouble. After the final knockdowns, the referee intervened and ended the bout.

Prates told reporters after the fight that he can punch, knee and kick, and that he now considers himself the number one contender. "I can punch, I can knee, I can kick … so I'm better, and now I feel like I'm the number one contender," the Brazilian said. He added that he wants a fight against the winner of the planned matchup between champion Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Makhachev.

Records and momentum

The win extended Prates’ streak to three consecutive victories. His professional record rose to 24-7 with 19 wins by knockout.

The result boosts his standing in a crowded welterweight division where finishing fights still carries heavy weight in matchmaking.

For Jack Della Maddalena, the loss was his second in a row. The 29-year-old Australian fell to 18-4 with 12 wins by knockout. He had been competing in front of a home crowd in Perth, where expectations were high for the local favourite.

Prates’ finishing rate is a clear selling point. Nineteen KOs suggests an ability to end fights across several exchanges. Promoters and matchmakers track that closely when they arrange high-revenue fights. A fighter who consistently stops opponents tends to draw attention from fans and broadcasters.

Other results on the main card

The co-main produced a notable result as well. Quillan Salkilld recorded a first-round technical knockout over defensive stalwart Beneil Dariush. Salkilld improved to 12-1, while Dariush, 36, suffered a setback.

The remainder of the main card produced mixed outcomes. Flyweight Steve Erceg beat Tim Elliott by unanimous decision. Featherweight Marwan Rahiki scored a TKO win over Ollie Schmid. Heavyweight Brando Pericic knocked out Shamil Gaziev in round two. Louie Sutherland took a unanimous decision over Tai Tuivasa.

Those results shifted several fighters’ immediate paths. Winners in featured slots often get faster access to bigger fights. Losers must regroup and rebuild versus lower-ranked opposition or take short-notice bouts to regain momentum.

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What the win changes in the welterweight title picture

Prates’ post-fight demand for a match with the winner of the Islam Makhachev versus Ian Machado Makhachev fight puts him into the title conversation. The championship bout between the two Makhachevs isn't yet finalised, but it stands as the scheduled path to the belt soon.

By calling for the winner, Prates forced a public conversation about sequence. He made a direct tie between his victory and the title chase.

Matchmakers will now weigh his recent finishes and his ranking profile against other contenders. The result raises the commercial question of who the promotion will favour when arranging a title eliminator or a headline slot.

At 32, Prates sits at an age where fighters commonly press for title opportunities. His three-fight run and knockout record give him an argument for priority in matchmaking. Della Maddalena’s loss will slow his forward momentum in the division and create a pause in his marketability as a homegrown draw in Australia.

Major mixed martial arts events carry economic weight for host cities. A UFC Fight Night generates ticket sales, hotel bookings and local spending in bars and restaurants. Perth hosted the show, and the presence of an Australian headliner amplified local interest. A hometown fighter’s defeat can alter demand for future events, at least temporarily.

Promoters and local authorities both monitor those trends. Strong local draws help secure venue dates, sponsorships and broadcast arrangements. When a local favourite loses, promoters may adjust future match cards or marketing plans to rebuild local engagement.

At the national level, sporting success and visibility often feed into soft-power narratives. A string of high-profile wins by overseas fighters can shift where fans and broadcasters focus their attention and investment. At the same time, a local star underperforming in a headline slot may trigger discussions among promoters, sponsors and sports administrators about athlete development and domestic event strategy.

Prates’ victory gives him leverage. He can push for higher-profile matchups and headline billing. That can increase his earning potential through bigger purses and sponsorship deals. Promoters use strong finishes when selling pay-per-view packages and live tickets.

Della Maddalena faces a different task. He must re-evaluate. A second straight loss means he needs a clear plan to restore momentum. That may involve a step back in competition level or a change in preparation.

For the promotion, the win-and-demand sequence Prates used creates a choice. Matchmakers can fast-track him toward the title sequence or slot him into another contender fight to test his readiness. Each path has different financial implications for the company and for broadcast partners.

The welterweight division has several names circling the top. A decisive win like Prates’ forces a reordering. Fighters who finish opponents often move faster than those who win on points. The way Prates ended the fight will figure in matchmaking decisions and in how broadcasters frame future cards.

At the same time, the mixed results across the main card show depth at multiple weights. Younger fighters like Quillan Salkilld are making claims with early stoppages. Established names such as Beneil Dariush and Tai Tuivasa remain relevant despite losses on this card. The overall pattern suggests an active period of reshuffling in several divisions.

Prates has publicly asked for the winner of the Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Makhachev bout. That creates a clear storyline for promoters to exploit. If the Makhachev fight proceeds, the winner will be a natural target for a rising welterweight with recent finishes.

Matchmakers must balance sporting merit and commercial appeal. Prates’ finishing run gives him sporting credibility. His post-fight call for a title shot frames a marketable angle. The promotion will weigh that angle against ranking data and fan interest when scheduling future fights.

Saturday’s card in Perth delivered several outcomes that will influence scheduling and commercial planning for months. Fighters gained and lost momentum. Promoters gathered fresh material to sell upcoming shows. Broadcasters will repackage highlights for international audiences.

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Prates called for a title shot at the winner of the planned Makhachev matchup.

This article was created with AI assistance.